Water is an excellent environment for physical activity not only for people without disabilities, but also for people with various types of musculoskeletal limitations. All thanks to the buoyancy force, defined by the Greek mathematician Archimedes: on a body immersed in a liquid acts a buoyancy force directed upward equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by the body. Water relieves the stress on our body, makes us put far less stress on the skeletal system with the spine during swimming and diving than during any other activities. Based on the premise that a less able body does not have to limit us from enjoying and enjoying life – barrier-free diving can be a great option for people with disabilities who want to experience adventure underwater!
Archimedes’ law and buoyancy of a diver in practice
Archimedes’ law of buoyancy force acts on any body immersed in any liquid, and any changes in buoyancy force for a particular body are the result of differences in the density of the liquid. We can easily observe this principle by immersing ourselves in fresh and salt water – salt water is denser, so the buoyancy force is greater. When talking about the buoyancy of a diver and measuring the buoyancy of the human body, it is easiest to take into account the so-called “buoyancy”. relative density – is a quantity that expresses the density of a body relative to pure water.
Pure water is assumed to have a relative density of 1.0 – bodies and substances with a specific density less than 1.0 float on the surface, and bodies and substances with a specific density greater than 1.0 sink. The relative density of the human body is determined by the percentage of weight of various tissues, but in most cases the relative density of the human body oscillates around the value of 1.0, which allows us to float, but also comfortably, with a feeling of relief to immerse ourselves in the water.
People with disabilities and diving – who can dive and how?
Water and being underwater has a soothing and calming effect, promotes relaxation and enables people of different ages and with different limitations, including limitations due to various disabilities, to engage in activities. Diving is possible for most people with mobility impairments, paralysis and paresis of the upper and lower extremities. The blind and visually impaired, as well as the hearing impaired, deaf and deaf-blind can also dive.
Safety rules, contraindications
It is important to remember that divers with disabilities absolutely must follow the same safety rules as divers without disabilities. So before you decide to take the first plunge – it is necessary to check your health for medical conditions that may contraindicate this form of activity. These include. active respiratory infections, ear and sinus diseases, various chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract, cardiovascular, blood and heart diseases or blood pressure problems, and mental disorders. In addition, people with intellectual disabilities may be allowed to dive only if they fully understand the instructions given by the instructors and obey them without question (similar rules apply to children, who usually dive only from the age of 10).
Safe assisted diving
For people with disabilities – diving requires responsible assistance. While a single, properly trained instructor is generally sufficient for blind and deaf people, those with mobility impairments, limb paresis or wheelchairs – may require the support of more than one instructor. Depending on the severity of the disability, a disabled person may be accompanied by 2 or even 3 partners who will take comprehensive care of the diver’s safety and well-being.
Diving as a form of rehabilitation
Diving is an activity that can be part of rehabilitation – both physical and mental health-related. Dive trainers unanimously emphasize that underwater we are all equal, and any differences in fitness are significantly erased. People with mobility impairments can feel as light as a feather, the underwater communication system is based on gestures, which in turn poses no obstacle for the deaf. This is a great way for people with disabilities to break down barriers, seek new opportunities to realize themselves and take on new challenges, and expand their circle of friends to include enthusiasts of this unique sport. In addition, each successful dive allows you to strengthen, build or rebuild your self-esteem.
Disabled divers are not alone!
Both in the world and in Poland there are all kinds of organizations and associations that bring together and effectively promote diving for people with disabilities. One of the oldest organizations of its kind is the HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association), or Handicapped Divers Association. It is a “nonprofit” organization founded to enable people with various disabilities to earn diving degrees and dive recreationally.
