Patriots For Disabled Divers

Patriots for Disabled Divers is dedicated to bringing the joy of scuba diving to individuals with disabilities. Everything just wants to live.

TO DONATE, PLEASE GO TO: https://www.patriotsfordisableddivers.org/donate/ A 2011 study conducted by Johns Hopkins University found, “veterans with spinal cord injuries who underwent a four-day scuba- diving certification saw significant improvement in muscle movement, increased sensitivity to light touch and pinprick on the legs, and large reductions in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sympt

oms.” In 2016, The New York Times reported on the benefits of scuba diving for veterans suffering from PTSD: “Traditional medical approaches generally rely on drugs and controlled re-experiencing of trauma, called exposure therapy. But this combination has proved so unpopular that many veterans quit before finishing or avoid it altogether.” On the other side of the coin, one Iraq War veteran who survived being shot in the head told The Times, “There are no bad memories in the water. It made me want to live again.” In addition to the scientific findings, we’ve heard firsthand from hundreds of disabled divers telling us they feel less anxiety, fewer headaches, and a feeling of freedom that was previously missing from their life. We’ve seen vets with PTSD change from emotionally shut down and compartmentalized to open and engaged. Underwater, divers experience weightlessness, and for those suffering from severe injuries, this can make a huge difference - reducing swelling, taking pressure off joints, and reducing back and neck pain. Our divers tell us being underwater helps them filter everything out and just breathe. The social aspect of scuba for people with mental and physical disabilities is also transformational. Often people isolate themselves and struggle in silence. We pair disabled divers with people they can relate to, divers who are experiencing similar issues. Also, scuba diving is always done with a buddy. This could be a loved one, an instructor or a large group bonding experience. Whether a person was injured in an accident, as the result of disease, or is a veteran of war, scuba diving can help. Support Patriots for Disabled Divers and help us expand the possible for disabled people one diver at a time.

12/16/2024

Both military Veterans and first responders can apply for this amazing retreat opportunity. You do not have to be scuba certified to apply but must get certified in order to participate. If interested, take a look at the information and take your time filling out the application. There are a lot of applicants and your words can make a difference.

We are halfway through our application window for our 10th anniversary season retreat.
Apply now: deepseavalkyries.com

12/08/2024

If you have presents to wrap, here is your chance to let the professional elves do the work for you while supporting a great cause!

Thanks to Patriot Diving for sponsoring this fundraiser.

Make your holiday shopping extra special at Patriot Diving!

This season, let us take care of your gift-wrapping needs. All proceeds from our holiday wrapping services go directly to support Patriots For Disabled Divers, helping us make a difference for those who’ve served.

Give the gift of scuba and give back at the same time! Stop by our shop and let’s make your holidays magical.

12/04/2024

11/22/2024

Our co-founders Jeff and Merial hard at work at the DEMA booth promoting PFDD!

Photos from Patriots For Disabled Divers's post

11/22/2024

Scott V being interviewed by Planet X TV promoting extreme sports for wounded warrior athletes and PADI.

11/22/2024

Today at DEMA, we were privileged to have many of our PADI affiliate dive shops and a few alumni stop by the PFDD booth. We also had our friends and partners from Deep Sea Valkyries visit and meet in person with some of the dive shops that they have worked with over the years.

Calypso Tampa
Patriot Diving
Blue Crew Divers
First Coast Divers
Conch Republic Divers
Waterdogs SCUBA & Safety
Aquatic World of North Syracuse

11/19/2024

If you are at DEMA or interested in our new Rum Reggae shirts, come by the booth ( #9192) or reach out via messenger about how to order.

11/19/2024

PFDD is at DEMA in booth 9192 right between SEAC and the DEMA Lounge. If you are hear, come stop by like some of our affiliates have.
PADI
Calypso Tampa
Lake Norman Scuba
Waterdogs SCUBA & Safety
Blue Crew Divers
SOS Diving
Lake Norman Scuba Diver
Patriot Diving

11/16/2024

PADI Adaptive Diving Week is 1-7 December 2024.

PFDD supports this effort to make the ocean accessible to all. We bring the joy, adventure, camaraderie and therapy of scuba to the disabled Veteran community.

This article includes photos of PFDD affiliate instructors training Bryan Anderson during his open water dives in September 2021.

11/12/2024

Congratulations to Dan and Cara for completing your PADI Open Water Certifications.

Congratulations to Bill for completing your PADI Advanced Open Water Certification.

Thanks to our affiliates Patriot Diving and Calypso Tampa for introducing them to the joy, adventure, camaraderie and therapy of scuba diving!

11/11/2024

Great support for PFDD from Texas Roadhouse!

11/11/2024

Great support from Texas Roadhouse in Manassas for helping raise funds to support our mission to bring the joy, adventure, camaraderie and therapy of scuba to our disabled Veteran community.

PFDD is their focus charity for the month of November.

10/28/2024

Do you LOVE Texas Road House?

Do you LOVE SCUBA Diving?

Do you LOVE supporting disabled Veterans?

You can show us your LOVE of all three by joining us in our Gift Card Fundraiser.

Purchase a gift card using the QR code on the flyer by Friday, 1 November 2024 and 10% of the proceeds go to Patriots for Disabled Divers to support our mission.

Here is the link as well:

https://txrhgiftcards.com/collections/txrh-5-100-no-brd?ref=719PatriotsForDisabledDivers102224

******These are e-gift cards and WILL NOT be delivered immediately after purchase. Texas Roadhouse will process all of them together and send out the email within 10 business days of the fundraiser closing.

They can be used at ANY Texas Roadhouse!

If you use the gift card at our Fundraising night at the Manassas Texas Roadhouse (Liberia Ave) on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, we get even more of a donation.

Thank you for supporting the disabled Veteran community and PFDD!

Patriot Diving
Currer Enterprises
Lake Norman Scuba
Ocean Enterprises Dive Team
First Coast Divers
Waterdogs SCUBA & Safety
Calypso Tampa
GA Aquarium
The Home Depot Foundation
Visit Occoquan
Blue Crew Divers
Texas Dive Center
Conch Republic Divers
Underwater Safaris Chicago
PADI
Deep Sea Valkyries
The Scuba Shop

10/27/2024

The maze is coming down! If you'd like free wood, bring a screwdriver and a pickup and it's yours!
305 Mill St. Occoquan. First come first serve!

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Changing Lives for the better, one diver at a time!

We make a difference -

A 2011 study conducted by Johns Hopkins University found, “veterans with spinal cord injuries who underwent a four-day scuba- diving certification saw significant improvement in muscle movement, increased sensitivity to light touch and pinprick on the legs, and large reductions in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.”

In 2016, The New York Times reported on the benefits of scuba diving for veterans suffering from PTSD: “Traditional medical approaches generally rely on drugs and controlled re-experiencing of trauma, called exposure therapy. But this combination has proved so unpopular that many veterans quit before finishing or avoid it altogether.” On the other side of the coin, one Iraq War veteran who survived being shot in the head told The Times, “There are no bad memories in the water. Everything just wants to live. It made me want to live again.”

In addition to the scientific findings, we’ve heard firsthand from hundreds of disabled divers telling us they feel less anxiety, fewer headaches, and a feeling of freedom that was previously missing from their life. We’ve seen vets with PTSD change from emotionally shut down and compartmentalized to open and engaged.