News
Deptherapy Dive Team achieves continued success in Red Sea
A team from scuba diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy has returned from another successful Red Sea training programme with three new PADI Open Water Divers, one PADI Advanced & Deep Diver and four PADI Rescue Divers.
The latest Deptherapy programme took place during the last week in October and was the second to take place this year at Roots Red Sea in El Quseir. The Programme Members were all wounded in service veterans from the UK Armed Forces suffering from life changing mental and/or physical injuries including several with acute PTSD.
Team Deptherapy at Roots Red Sea, October 2017. Photo – Dmitry Knyazev.
The instructional team included Deptherapy Ambassador and PADI AmbassaDiver Chris Middleton who was one of the very first Deptherapy Programme Members who learnt to dive. Chris may have lost both legs in Afghanistan but refuses to be defined by his disability. He is now a fully qualified Divemaster and will take his Instructor course next year in order to realize his ambition to become the world’s first double amputee PADI Instructor.
Chris was recently featured alongside fellow Deptherapy Ambassador and PADI AmbassaDiver Gary Green in a BBC3 Amazing Humans documentary that has so far achieved almost 6 million views: see https://www.facebook.com/bbcthree/videos/10155229543295787.
Amongst the Programme Members on this trip was triple amputee Josh Boggi, a former Royal Engineer and now an award-winning Invinctus Games cyclist in training for the 2020 Paralympics. Josh achieved his Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver and Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty, adapting his trim to sidemount to compensate for his injuries. Deptherapy will continue to work with Josh to help achieve his Rescue Diver qualification.
Triple amputee Josh Boggi, who qualified as an AOWD on the trip, diving sidemount. Photo – Dmitry Knyazev.
Former Signaller Adam Deans of the Royal Corps of Signals pushed through his battles with acute PTSD, OCD and extensive knee damage to partake in the programme. He said:
“Literally until the moment that we were checked in, I wasn’t sure I was going to go on the trip. I am so glad that I did. The diving made me feel good about myself and I have regained my confidence. I – and my family – have noticed a huge difference. I’ve caught the diving bug now and cannot wait to do my Advanced course!”
The Deptherapy team is now working towards finalizing their 2018 programme to satisfy both rapidly increasing demand from prospective new divers as well as professionals who wish to learn the skills required to teach adaptive diving techniques. Already planned are two Red Sea training programmes, a UK-based Deptherapy Education Pros’ course and Mental Health First Aid course, as well as a ground-breaking expedition to Truk in August.
Once again, Deptherapy passes on its grateful thanks to its Corporate Sponsors and Individual Members whose generosity ensures both the continuation and expansion of the charity’s life changing work.
For more information about the work of Deptherapy and Deptherapy Education visit their NEW website at www.deptherapy.co.uk.
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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