Sorry to hear about your back. I'm getting older and definately have high miles from a glorious youth filled with "Hold my beer" moments that ended with me bleeding and grinning from ear to ear. I have daily reminders of injuries past and basically the right knee, hip, and shoulder of a 128 year old man.
I'm not sure that your question is location specific, but more the operator you choose wherever you may end up. We have a travel group of friends that dive together about twice a year. One lady has a severe back injury that back rolls and giant strides are out of the question, small boat rides can be painful in rough conditions as well.
She gears up in the water and there are several of us available to help out. She removes her gear in the water and again, we are available to help her on the ladder. Once in the water, she is as much of a fish and pain free as the rest of us.
Subway watersports in Roatan at Turquoise Bay was probably the most accommodating for her of any of the ops we have dove with, nice big new boats, and short boat rides. They sent a representative to the airport to meet us and the whole process was smooth, albeit definately not an airport I would want to go back to. The boats were giant stride and she would gear up first in the water and the rest of us would go in afterwards. It was not the greatest diving I've seen, but it wasn't bad either.
I was not all that impressed with Belize (Ambergris Keye) but the operator worked with us to get her in the water and geared up. Giant stride boats and short boat rides mostly.
Because of our group size in Cozumel, Aldora had to rent a large boat to accommodate us and we followed the same procedure. They do have a big boat and you can always stay at the souther resorts or condos and limit the time on the boat. I would think a 6 pack boat in rougher conditions would be brutal.
I think communication with the operator is the key. Let them know your limitations and needs and makes sure that can accommodate your condition. Maybe even hire a private DM.
There is a wealth of knowledge here on SB, if you find a location and op, ask for references here specific to your needs. The world is still yours to explore, just with a little more planning. Gear up in the water and let the op know in advance of your limitations. Most ops I have dealt with have been more than willing to accommodate any reasonable request.
Good luck, safe travels.
Jay
I'm not sure that your question is location specific, but more the operator you choose wherever you may end up. We have a travel group of friends that dive together about twice a year. One lady has a severe back injury that back rolls and giant strides are out of the question, small boat rides can be painful in rough conditions as well.
She gears up in the water and there are several of us available to help out. She removes her gear in the water and again, we are available to help her on the ladder. Once in the water, she is as much of a fish and pain free as the rest of us.
Subway watersports in Roatan at Turquoise Bay was probably the most accommodating for her of any of the ops we have dove with, nice big new boats, and short boat rides. They sent a representative to the airport to meet us and the whole process was smooth, albeit definately not an airport I would want to go back to. The boats were giant stride and she would gear up first in the water and the rest of us would go in afterwards. It was not the greatest diving I've seen, but it wasn't bad either.
I was not all that impressed with Belize (Ambergris Keye) but the operator worked with us to get her in the water and geared up. Giant stride boats and short boat rides mostly.
Because of our group size in Cozumel, Aldora had to rent a large boat to accommodate us and we followed the same procedure. They do have a big boat and you can always stay at the souther resorts or condos and limit the time on the boat. I would think a 6 pack boat in rougher conditions would be brutal.
I think communication with the operator is the key. Let them know your limitations and needs and makes sure that can accommodate your condition. Maybe even hire a private DM.
There is a wealth of knowledge here on SB, if you find a location and op, ask for references here specific to your needs. The world is still yours to explore, just with a little more planning. Gear up in the water and let the op know in advance of your limitations. Most ops I have dealt with have been more than willing to accommodate any reasonable request.
Good luck, safe travels.
Jay