New Swim Technique For Disabled Divers--"fly" Underwater

[John C. Ratliff]

I have been posting in a different thread (Beyond Drag...) about a different style of underwater swimming I have been working on since the 1970s. While I am not disabled, I am now 70 years old, and I want to get these ideas out so people who could benefit from them can start to use them. One of my long-term goals is to again become an active NAUI Instructor (I'm NAUI #2710), and try teaching this technique to disabled divers in the Portland, Oregon area. I have written to DiveHeart, but not received much of a response, so I have decided to post the concept directly here. Below you will see a "Hammerhead Unit Disclosure & Details" which describes the technique for divers, and at the end discusses the use of the technique for disabled divers.

I am especially interested to know whether there is interest in the Para-Sea BC concept in conjunction with the Hammerhead Unit.

I originally developed the Para-Sea BC as a PFD for the husband of my high school swim coach, when she asked for a PFD that did not ride up on her husband. From that modified harness, I made two prototype Para-Sea BCs, and patented them in the 1980s (Patent #4,623,316). This harness could be used with a Hoyer Lift to lift a person into and out of the pool/boat if it were built with robust enough components. (I actually used it to pull me out of the water, but because the buckle systems are plastic, I would want to upgrade that before trying it on others.)

Please take a look and give me some feedback as to whether it is worth pursuing these ideas with disabled divers.

SeaRat
John C. Ratliff, CSP, CIH, MSPH

 

[NYCNaiad]

I don't know enough about the topic to provide you with any feedback, but it's cool you're trying to help disabled divers so I wish you luck.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

I am a bit disappointed that no one has even bothered to read and comment here except NFCNaiad. Any other thoughts?

SeaRat

 

[2airishuman]

I read it and found it intriguing. I don't have much to add. It seems to me that further development would require fieldwork more than anything.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

I read it and found it intriguing. I don't have much to add. It seems to me that further development would require fieldwork more than anything.

Yes, I understand that, but I have had a difficult time finding someone to work with on it who has these kinds of disabilities. I have recently made an acquaintance with a military guy who may be helping me with this this coming fall or winter though.

SeaRat