Dive Reviews

Andy Simpson (UK)

August 2009

I suffered a sever RTA (read motorbike crash) that resulted in the amputation of my right leg (above the knee) and left me with extremely limited mobility in my right arm.

My recovery lasted months and left me with a terrible gagging reflex from having tubes shoved in and out of my throat. With my impaired mobility and convulsive gagging reflex diving seemed like a sport that I could only dream about.

How wrong I was.

Bob (from the Dive In) recommended that I attend a Discover Scuba Diving Course at the Four Seasons Hotel in Limassol. This was whilst on honeymoon with my new bride in Cyprus this August (2009).

"Give it a go" he said. OK, I thought. If I can get there with one leg and a knackered arm, and hold a demand valve in my mouth, without yakking up. If I can get in / out of the pool, if I can explain to my Wife that I am away whilst on honeymoon…… you get the idea. I was putting problems in the way.

Becky, my Wife went shopping for a few hours and I faced a challenge that I had little confidence in myself to be able to complete.

I was met by a warm (not just because it was a hot day!) friendly team at the Dive In School based at the Four Seasons hotel. Having completing a simple medical questionnaire it was off for some training.

Morgan, our instructor, was clear and concise in the paperwork explanation / training. I never needed to lift a pen (handy with the knackered arm) and then it was off to the pool.

This is where I became impressed. The time that was taken to help and the attention that I received, was second to none. Both instructors (a second one came in to assist) seemed to have a natural empathy with my condition. The assistance and training happened without fuss and without any embarrassment to me.

After completing the pool training I had the confidence to go on the open water dive in the sea. I must reiterate that without the belief in myself and the trainers that had been instilled in me following the pool sessions there would have been no way that I would even attempt to get into the sea and float about on top of it, let alone dive under it! Crawling in and out of the sea on one arm and one leg is not just embarrassing but pretty uncomfortable when the sand gets in your shorts!

I had no problems. Morgan carried all the equipment, help me in and out of the water and stayed with me on a one to one dive that lasted about 40 minutes.

Those 40 minutes were liberating. My body was free from the restrictions enforced by gravity. My gagging reflex under control, Morgan balanced my weights to allow for the distorted body shape I now have. Obtaining neutral buoyancy allowed me to complete a comfortable dive that was (almost) the highlight of my honeymoon!

I have found a sport that I can not only do but thoroughly enjoy. I have discovered a new world that I can explore without the fear of falling over. Sights and places that I never thought I would see! Freedom of movement, and, freedom from pain, in this strange, accessible, fascinating, environment.

Thanks to Bob for talking me into it, thanks to Morgan for the attention, understanding, assistance and superb training and thanks to Dive In for being there!