www.alertdiver.com
|
13
HSA: PIONEERS OF
ADAPTIVE DIVING
“
Scuba Rejuvenation” by Bill Harrigan
(
Summer 2012) is well written, but it
left out some very important facts. The
most important is that all materials
and curriculums used to teach scuba to
people with disabilities are distributed
by the Handicapped Scuba Association
(
HSA International,
www.hsascuba.
com
)
.
HSA International was the
precursor, developing a standard in the
1970
s that was approved by the medical
and diving communities. No matter the
agency used to certify the diver — SDI,
SSI, PADI, NAUI, etc. — they all use
HSA materials and curriculums.
—
Worth O’Brien,
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
You are correct that the use of scuba to
help returning veterans from Iraq and
Afghanistan started in 2004, but what
is missing is the actual genesis of the
“
simultaneous” use of scuba therapy that
cropped up around the country. It was
deliberate and the result of a combined
effort by Disabled Sports USA and the
Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA).
It began in Long Beach, Calif., around
April 2004 and spread from there to the
East Coast via HSA New Jersey, thanks
to HSA course director Stewart Snyder.
This started long before 2004; it began
at the University of California-Irvine
in 1973 with Vietnam veterans. HSA
instructors have been helping veterans
get reinvolved in civilian life after being
disabled while serving our country
since 1987.
—
Jim Gatacre, president, HSA
ONWARD AND UPWARD
I’m a divemaster, and I’ve been a DAN
member for many years. I just wanted
to let you know that the summer issue
of
Alert Diver
is the finest issue I’ve ever
read of any dive magazine. It is superb,
and I actually asked for some additional
copies in an effort to recruit some new
DAN members.
—
Nick Wittner, via voicemail
THANKS, DAN
I’m the subject of the article “Go Get
DAN” (Skills in Action, Summer 2012),
and it seemed like 5 minutes that I was
bleeding in the bathroom by myself, but
I am sure it was only seconds before I
had assistance. I praise all the people
who responded quickly, especially
Ken, Bill and Patty. It amazed me that
so many people crowded around me,
meaning well but having no clue what
was actually happening; it was based
on a lack of training. Lucky for me,
I had DAN nearby, who certainly is
my buddy.
—
Rod Pedersen, Plainfield, Ill.
WRITE US
Tell us what’s on your mind by
writing us at:
MAIL
Alert Diver
6
West Colony Place
Durham, NC 27705
ONLINE
Send email to:
letters@dan.org
All letters included in this column
are subject to editing for length
and content.
THEMAGAZINEOFDIVERS ALERTNETWORK
AlertDiver.com / SUMMER 2012
BRANDON COLE:
IMMERSED IN THE WILD
PALAU
PERFECTION
+
MEXICO HIGH
ADVENTURE
MISSION
BLUE:
PRESERVING
MARINE
HOPE SPOTS
TROPICAL
DISEASE
AWARENESS
Cover1a_Summer2012_FINAL.indd 1
6/26/12 11:25
AM
Free Pioneer Mask ($100 value)
with purchase of a Pioneer suit.
Visit your local dealer to take advantage of this
limited time offer. Available in the US only.
TM
I N N OVAT I O N F I R ST
OceanicWorldwide.com
Form meets
function.
A suit made so well you’ll barely
know you’re wearing it.
LavaSkin
(
Core Thermal Protection)
OceanSpan
TM
Liquid Seams
Adjustable Neck Collar
Skin-in Seals
Anatomically Designed
Spandura
TM