cleanups. Incorporating adaptive diving is yet another way to extend the impact of giving back. There are a number of organizations, typically non-profit entities, that provide programs for adaptive diving. Groups like Diveheart, Adapt Able Scuba, Patriots for Disabled Divers, and the Dive Pirates Foundation offer opportunities for both individuals and dive shops to engage in adaptive diving. Dive shops can become affiliated with certain organ- izations and begin to open up possibilities to their commu- nity. Here’s how the Dive Pirates Foundation engages with dive shops. A dive center can become a Dive Pirate Chapter. RETAILING continued
There are certain requirements that are outlined on their website (divepi- rates.org). There is no cost to become a Dive Pirate Chapter, but you must have at least one adaptive diving in- structor on staff and support the Dive Pirates mission. Should you have someone with a physical disability in your area who is interested in becom- ing a scuba diver, they can apply for the Dive Pirates program. If they are selected, the foundation will pay the dive shop for the training and equip- ment for not only them but for their adaptive dive buddy (i.e. a spouse, sib- ling, friend, parent). The revenue is yet
another benefit of the program. In addition to training adaptive divers under the Dive Pi- rates program, you can also educate your existing customers on other opportunities for them to expand their diving hori- zons. Dive Pirates conduct annual trips where they take their recipients, both past and present diving. Your divers who are interested in adaptive diving and seeing it in action can par- ticipate in this trip as a volunteer. Should they decide to join one of the trips, you might also offer adaptive dive buddy training prior to their trip. Our passion as dive professionals extends well beyond ven- turing underwater in pursuit of our individual aspirations, whether it be reef, wreck, cave or technical diving. We want
to open up this incredible underwater world to others. Dive shops and dive professionals are in a unique position to open this world to those with disabilities by seeing the possibilities in adaptive diving.
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