Deep Blue Freedom

Andrew: According to Statista.com, nearly 2.6 million people in the united States went scuba diving during the year 2020. It is unclear how many of those had a disability, but I would venture a guess that it was not very many and even fewer were blind or visually-impaired. Yet for some of us, it is more than a hobby, but a passion. Despite not being able to see, how do we, as blind and visually-impaired people, benefit from this unique activity? Hi! My name is Andrew Meyer. and I invite you to take a deep breath and close your eyes, cause it's time, to go VisionFree Diving.

Andrew: At the beginning of each episode, you will get to know two people, preferably one blind or visually-impaired diver and one instructor, but we may not always have even numbers of instructors and divers. In this first episode, I'll tell you a little bit about myself and introduce you to one of my diving club's most experienced instructors.

Florence: My name is Florence and I live in Paris.

Narration: Florence has been a scuba diver for over 30 years and has been teaching people with disabilities to scuba dive since 1999. She is recognized as an MFEH2 instructor.

Andrew: I'm totally blind and a PESH level 2 scuba diver. I currently live near Paris, France. I like to play music, namely the guitar. I like to travel, though I haven't been able to travel nearly as often as I used to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and I just like being by the ocean and the beach. And sometimes, when I get the inspiration, I like to compose and write music.

Narration: In future episodes, we will discuss in detail what the PESH levels are, but for now, it's important to note that they are scuba diving certification levels specific to people for disabilities that were established by FFESSM, which governs underwater sports in France.

Florence: When I was young, I used to go on holiday with my parents to the seaside in Spain, Italy or the South of France and I would spend hours looking under the water with a mask.

Andrew: Sometime between the age of one and a half years old, I was abandoned on the streets of the Philippines. As a result, I suffered from malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency which eventually led to total blindness.

Narration: In 1991, Florence began scuba diving in the swimming pool with the sports club at the bank where she worked.

Florence: Since diving was a passion for me, I quickly graduated and became a guide in 1995 and an instructor in 1997.

Andrew: When I first moved to the United States, I was very much afraid of water, but after years of swimming lessons and three years swimming competitively on a swim team, I gained an appreciation and a love for the water. Then, in 1999, I attended the Space Camp for the Blind and Visually-Impaired in Huntsvill, Alabama, and was given the first opportunity to scuba dive. Ever since that experience, I've always wanted to try it again.

Narration: In the late 1990s, Florence saw reports on tv that talked about physically disabled people who were diving at a rehabilitation center in southern France. Impressed by the benefits they described, she was inspired to become a scuba diving instructor for people with disabilities.

Florence: And I graduated in 1999 with the French Federation for disabled people.
Narration: Following this, she became an instructor for a young man who was quadriplegic while his instructor traveled around Europe for a year. She found the experience very enriching, but for several years, wasn't able to find an equivalent opportunity. After a few years, she missed teaching people with disabilities to scuba dive and so decided to take a refresher course.

Florence: During this new training, I met people from the club of Vinscenne and I join the club, which was very famous for training blind or visually-impaired people.

Andrew: During that first dive, we descended to 24 feet and though it wasn't very deep, it was deep enough for us to really enjoy and have the experience of being weightless and I still remember floating with my instructor as we were weightless in the water and just reveling in the quiet tranquility that was there.
Florence: I recorded a dive with a blind man who could hear the school of fishes.
Narration: When asked what she felt is the biggest challenge that blind or visually-impaired divers face, she replied that she believes it is keeping their orientation underwater.

Florence: They must fully rely on their instructor in order not to be lost. Otherwise, they are much more gifted for stabilization.

Andrew: As a relatively new diver, I still struggle with what we refer to in French as stabilization or being able to maintain the same depth. I believe PADI refers to it as hovering. In a later podcast episode, we will hear from an instructor who even has her non-disabled students close their eyes and learn to stabilize.

Narration: To those who are blind or visually-impaired who are considering scuba diving, but are not quite sure they are ready to take the plunge, Florence says, "Don't hesitate. You won't be disappointed! There are a lot of teachers who are keen on making you love scuba diving."

Andrew: So what are the benefits of scuba diving? When I was researching content for this episode, I found several websites that discuss the benefits of scuba diving. I was pleasantly surprised to find that very few of the benefits have anything to do with sight or being able to see. One blog post caught my attention and I'd like to share it with you now.

Narration: 13-ways Diving is Good for your Health by Tara Bradley Connell. Updated by Paula Palomo on April 6, 2023. Diving isn’t just an exciting way to enjoy the ocean. The underwater sport is also good for the body and the mind. In addition to all the reasons to love scuba (i.e., it helps us disconnect and take in the underwater world), here are thirteen ways diving is good for you – no matter your age, size, or diving ability.

1. Exposure to Sunlight
Our bodies need vitamin D which promotes health by assisting in calcium absorbtion. I know for a fact that I likely don't get enough vitamin D from foods, but during a diving trip, we are out in the sun on a boat or on the shore. In conjunction with wearing appropriate amounts of sunscreen, we can ensure our bodies obtain enough vitamin D.

2. Mindful Breathing
One of the main rules of scuba diving is to keep breathing. As we practice slow and steady breathing. Our nervous system calms itself, and we are more focused. We also provide more oxygen to our bodies allowing for increased stamina.

3. Meditation
When we think of meditation, we often conjur up images of people sitting still with their legs crossed or laying perfectly still and not moving a single muscle. Actually, meditation is truly about clearing one's mind and focusing on one thing. In scuba diving, that one thing is our breathing and the water around us.

4. Aerobic Fitness
Swimming against the current, fin kicks, and even carrying scuba gear requires effort on the entire body and burns calories.
Diving is a relaxing sport, but the act of movement underwater raises your heart rate, tones muscles, and builds endurance and strength. When compared to other forms of exercise, diving is an excellent low-impact aerobic workout. In addition, activity underwater is also easier on the joints and ligaments.

5. Builds Strength
Scuba diving may not be the first activity that comes to mind when thinking of strength training. However, if you think of everything you do before and after a dive, such as carrying tanks or surface swimming to get to the point of entry, you will be surprised by just how much muscle strength scuba diving builds over time. Even the act of finning around a coral reef engages your leg muscles and core, making them stronger and more toned.

6. Increases Flexibility
The movements we make while diving are different from those we usually do in the gym. Slow fin kicks and core engagement during a dive lengthen muscles and build a stronger abdomen. The results can lead to leaner muscle tone and better posture. Additionally, learning to relax the body and the mind in tandem allows your muscles to feel “safe” to relax and therefore increases your flexibility.

7. Lowers Blood Pressure
While an exciting animal encounter, such as seeing dolphins, manta rays, or sharks, or a strong current can increase the heart rate,  the overall diving experience is usually a relaxing one, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. Lower water temperatures can also physically calm the body and the blood vessels, resulting in a lower heart rate and lower blood pressure.

8. Better Sleep
After a day of diving, it’s not uncommon to have a more restful sleep. Some divers experience more vivid (underwater) dreams. The flowing movements, underwater scenery, mindful breathing, and the dive experience as a whole contribute positively to one’s physical and emotional mindset. A happier disposition at the end of the day makes it easier for anyone to fall into a deep slumber – and ready to wake up refreshed and rejuvenated.

9. Interaction with Outdoor Elements
Exploring a new environment, even if you have a logbook full of dives, is always a unique experience. Exposing yourself to the warmth of the sun, colorful underwater panoramic views, and playful marine life ignites a happier and more joyful mood.
Many studies show that just being close to water has therapeutic effects, creating calming chemicals in the body. This has been dubbed “Blue Mind,” and it’s definitely not diving-dependent. You just have to be by the water to reap the benefits. However, diving gives you the opportunity for a digital detox, allowing you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and interact with blue nature in its most wild form.


10. Does Good for the Planet
When divers participate in events like Dive Against Debris or simply pick up any plastics or netting found on a reef, they are cleaning up the ocean and protecting marine life. Even the smallest act contributes to the wellness of the ocean. And this, in turn, affects the water system, food chain, and overall health of the food and water being consumed. Studies show that participating in conservation activities is actually good for your general health and well-being.

11. Increases Dopamine & Serotonin Levels
Often called your “happy hormones,” both dopamine and serotonin play major roles in your body’s happiness and reward systems. The former is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate your motivation levels. Achievements, like gaining an Open Water Diver certification, help to boost dopamine levels.
Serotonin is associated with feelings of happiness, which you’ll most likely experience during and after diving! Maintaining healthy levels of these happy hormones helps contribute to good mental health and well-being.

12. Creates Community
Diving is a great way to make new friends that share your passion for the ocean. You can join your local dive club, take part in underwater cleanups and join social gatherings that dive centers often host. Not only will these activities help you build relationships, but they also provide you with an opportunity to share your love of diving with others, explore new dive sites, and learn from more experienced divers. You might find yourself going on new adventures to new places with your newfound friends.

13. Builds confidence
Diving is a unique sport that requires adaptability, problem-solving, and focus. Overcoming fears, planning a successful dive, and learning new skills are all part of the journey. You learn to rely on yourself and trust your judgment when navigating the underwater environment or dealing with unexpected situations. And this gives you a sense of accomplishment and boosts your self-esteem.
Knowing you have the skill set to be comfortable underwater and handle any situation is hugely gratifying, and I would argue that that is even moreso for someone with a disability. And when you conquer these challenges, you may find that it spills over into other aspects of life.

Andrew: I'd like to end this episode with a story written by Brooke Morton entitled, The Healing Power of Scuba.

Narration: No one is more grateful for her PADI Open Water diver certification than P.T. Hirschfield. And the timing of the experience couldn’t have been more opportune.
In 2010, the Australian traveled to the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, where she earned her first C-card. Shortly upon her return, she learned she had uterine cancer.
Her doctor didn’t sugarcoat the prognosis, but told her to start addressing her bucket-list desires. He estimated she had less than three years to live.
“The first question I asked the oncologist was, ‘How soon can I dive again?’” she says.
And so, with that goal in mind, she began palliative radiation, picturing all the underwater destinations she wanted to experience. “Scuba gave me the incentive to get well—the idea of getting underwater motivated me not to give up, lie in a corner and die, as they said I might,” says Hirschfield. “That, along with my friends and family, kept me going.”
And soon as she was physically able, she did.
“I had a month off in between each of the radiation sessions, and I would go dive the Great Barrier Reef or with white sharks—and every time I came back from one of these trips, I would be healthier. Before one of the trips, my tumor was roughly 4 inches, about the size of a small grapefruit—and afterward, it shrunk to the size of a golf ball.”
Knowing that, she overhauled her life. “My cancer seems to have been stress and lifestyle related, so I changed my lifestyle to add a lot more bottom time, and everything changed.”
Currently, Hirschfield dives three to five times a week. And get this: Her average bottom time is four hours per tank. Granted, she stays at depths of 20 feet or shallower. Because, for her, it’s the sensation of floating that most relaxes her, so she wants as much of that as possible.
“I was diagnosed as terminal three years ago this month. And now every time I see my doctors, they say, ‘Whatever you are doing, just keep doing it.’”
And she plans to.
“Whether it’s a sense of purpose in sharing my story on my blog, or just having something to do, or the joy of being underwater—there is definitely a benefit.”
The emotional, mental and physical benefits have been so great for her that she encourages others—whether they suffer from cancer, depression, anxiety or any other illness—to go out and dive as soon as possible, even if they need help carrying their gear on that initial dive, as Hirschfield did when she first wetsuited up again. Now, with her strength back, she needs no assistance.
Says Hirschfield, “One thing I know for sure is that the more I dive, the more alive I feel.” She pauses. “I think if I hadn’t gotten my Open Water, I might not be alive."