PADI Adaptive Techniques Specialty Instructor Course in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Written by PADI Regional Manager, Neil Davidson.

PADI Regional Manager, Neil Davidson, recently arranged for a PADI Adaptive Techniques teaching workshop to be carried out in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. The Adaptive Techniques course aligns with PADI’s Healing and Wellness Pillar of Change which aims to inspire people to overcome adversity and use diving as a transformation to healing, both mentally and physically.

With the help of PADI Regional Training Consultant, Robert Scammell, and local Malaysian adaptive teaching expert Syed Rahman, the course was conducted over 2 days. The course trained PADI Members in the course standards, knowledge development, confined water skills and open water skills. These skills presented new challenges to a very experienced group of individuals as they had to simulate how to transport disabled divers on land and how to conduct a dive in both confined and open water.

Each course participant took it in turns to be a visually impaired, amputee, paraplegic and quadriplegic student, to ensure they felt the empathy of divers with these disabilities. Participants then had the chance to play the role of being the Instructor and Assistant Instructor to a disabled student. Throughout the course, all participants completed a range of skills allowing them to be certified as a PADI Adaptive Techniques Specialty Instructor.

PADI Course Director, Jason Orage, who attended the workshop commented:

“Once you were in the other persons shoes, you realized the importance of diving and how diving can be for everybody and not just the abled body”

“Experiencing albeit simulated a loss of a limb, senses and mobility showed the importance of clear communication, planning, and teamwork. This allowed us to see and feel what and how everyone can achieve if they follow their dreams to become a PADI Diver.”

The PADI Adaptive Techniques Specialty course aims to increase diver’s awareness of varying abilities while exploring adaptive teaching techniques which can be applied when training and diving with physically and mentally challenged divers.

For more information on this course and how to get involved have a look at padi.com or contact your PADI Regional Manager.

In Pulau Perhentian, specially designed dive programme gives disabled Malaysians a confidence boost

Published by Malay Mail – Written by Melanie Chalil

PETALING JAYA, Oct 1 — A group of ten differently-abled children proved that disability is not inability in a special dive programme held at Pulau Perhentian recently. The students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Kuala Besut were introduced to basic scuba diving skills such as breathing through a regulator underwater and finning technique.

They learned the basics in a pool at Mimpi Perhentian Resort at Terengganu’s Perhentian Island Kecil before moving on to a shore dive by the jetty for a dive experience unlike any other. Though the children were said to be shy at first, they quickly warmed up when they got into the water with their scuba buddies.

Organised by Diveheart, the international non-profit organisation founded in 2001, provides and supports educational scuba diving programmes for children, adults and veterans living with disabilities. Diveheart seeks to build confidence, independence and self-esteem through scuba diving, scuba therapy and diving-related activities.

“The difference in the confidence level of the children was like day and night, with a definite confidence boost after the exciting dive experience,” organisers said in a media statement. The Diveheart Malaysia team spent months raining for the event and putting together a team who were able to bring the experience of diving to the differently-abled.

Serving as a role model and inspiration to many, a deaf-mute certified divemaster Gary Goh who has logged more than 3,000 dives. Goh explained open water scuba techniques to the children using sign language. “I am thrilled to say that events like this does not only builds bridges between us but also reinforces our hope in humanity,” Diveheart Malaysia ambassador and Kids Scuba Dive Centre founder Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Hassan said.

“If all of us of different abilities can respect each other like this today, then we can really ‘imagine the possibilities’ for a better tomorrow.”

Goh was also joined by three young women, amputee Nooraishah Arshad, visually impaired Ereen Pasbullah and paraplegic Nurul Fathiah who went on multiple boat dives to take in the beautiful marine life that Pulau Perhentian is loved for.

Diveheart and Kids Scuba Malaysia have been training disabled divers since 2015 and trainings are held every month.