Is there a demand for HSA training?

[lucky1]

I have a question: Are there people who actively seek diving assistance? I was reading through some of the threads in this section and was intrigued by the possibility of helping handicapped divers, not to earn a profit, but to spread the sport through what I imagine to be a quite rewarding and challenging experience.

Alternatively, are HSA-certified diving buddies more often employed by dive shops and charter operations? Is this something most people get into to help a friend of loved one?

Thank you for your response.

 

[pasley]

Here is my experience with H.S.A. certified buddies, your experience may vary.
I have dove as a dive buddy with paraplegics, and quadriplegic. Some local, some visiting from other countries. None that I knew before. H.S.A. maintains a database with Dive Buddies and DMs and Instructors listed.

That said, most dive buddies get trained so they can assist someone they know. A friend of mine just got hired as an instructor in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. A key part in his hiring was that he was an HSA Instructor. Dive buddy is at the non-professional level so it would not play a role in getting employment. At the professional level of DM or Instructor, being qualified to instruct adaptive diving or to DM or lead an adaptive dive would I believe give you an added dimension and that would of course give you and edge in employment. When talking to a prospective able bodied student it definitely gives me an edge when I point out that I have taught quadriplegics. The thought process being on two fronts, 1. If a quadriplegic can dive, I can dive and 2. If he can teach them....

But most of all being an HSA DM/Instructor or Dive Buddy offers the following benefits:
1. will cause you to step up your game and be a better diver
2. will give you an opportunity if you ever dive with an adaptive diver to get paid so much more than money can eager pay. I can not express how appreciative my dive buddies are that I have taken the time to learn something so they can dive and well it just is a lot of fun.

Last of all, I will point out that HSA certifies at 3 levels and only 1 requires a specially trained dive buddy, but the other 2 levels can benefit from it.

I started a non-profit to train disabled veterans to scuba dive. It is both fun and thearpy for them. You could get involved in an organization like that near you.

 

[lucky1]

Melvin-

Thanks for the answers. I have no interest in making money from said training, I have a career. But the possibilities of increased diving proficiency and helping others interest me. Do you know where I might look to find an organization near me? I live in Athens, GA.

 

[pasley]

Here are some active adaptive dive instructors near you who may have more informaiton about adaptive dive programs in your area. If there is a military base near by or a VA hospital then there will be an opportunity to serve the local veterans. If not, there is a need to serve the handicapped community. Contact the local rehbilitation hosptial about working with them to teach disabled individuals to scuba dive.

I have PM'd contact informaiton.

 

[clay144]

I would like to add my 2 cents on this topic. As a HSA instructor, yes there is a calling and demand for HSA instructors and buddies. I was just talking to one of my open water students about this topic. There is NO better way to help than to talk part in a Wounded Warrior Project or any project that helps not just vets, but any person with a disability, to descover the freedom of scuba diving. I am leaving for Parris Island at the end of Sept to participate in such a project. I am looking forward to it. What a great way to improve the life of another person.

 

[pasley]

... There is NO better way to help than to talk part in a Wounded Warrior Project or any project that helps not just vets, but any person with a disability, to descover the freedom of scuba diving.....

As the founder and current president of the Disabled Veterans SCUBA Project which has conducted SCUBA instruction for over 20 veterans and their attendants since January 2010 let me second that. If there is no organization near you, start one.

 

[Bob Brown Ottawa]

Yes there a large demand in my opinion for divers willing to accompany divers with disabilities. As an HSA C level diver, I require a dive master or rescue diver to dive with me. I do not count as a dive buddy so a third diver is required for my primary.

I love to get out as often as I can so especially if you're a dive master, you're in big demand.

It should be noted, at least in my training, that part of my training is to train the individual diving with me. I just returned from the Philippines where I got in 19 dives at three different locations. I can't stress enough the importance of good dive planning before you get in the water, especially communication signals and any specific nuances that I may have that could be different from other divers.

 

[pasley]

I am making plans to dive with a T10 Paraplegic from Canada this week. This is his second trip to Southern California with SCUBA on the agenda. With the aquarium offering SCUBA in the tank they will need trained HSA divers to be safety divers. So bottom line, take the plunge, the training is hard, but worth the effort and so rewarding. It also makes you a better diver.

 

[clay144]

I am leaving on Sept 27th for Parris Island, to do a Wounded Warrior Project with the Marines. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to doing it. Not bad for a retired Army CSM.

 

[heavierthanlead]

Lucky 1: HSA Instructor, here. Kudos, for your inquiry! You've taken the all-important first step, which is expressing your interest. The disabled divers and the organizations that assist them, need curious folks like yourself! Your level of training is not as significant as your willingness to donate your time and energy. Though the extent of established disabled diver programs is often geographically based, all are looking to expand, and some areas have more demand than supply of available assistants. Good luck to you, in your search for fulfillment!