Making Scuba-diving accesible for the disabled

Exceeding Limitations  Antonio de Diego
By Daniel Zuber

Dear members and divers,

Not everybody knows that IAHD board and community are integrated by dive professionals that help putting together the member news, updates and development on new training programs.

Even less people know that thanks to the participation of IAHD divers we can share stories of those that inspire by sharing their experiences and are capable of doing almost anything if motivation is present.

Antonio de Diego is one of these people that is an example of self improvement and someone that is always looking for new challenges. He suffered an accident four years ago and his life turned upside down.

A competitive sports enthusiast, a very active professional and traveller he is, Antonio! He had to look for new activities that could help him during his rehabilitation and integration process after losing a very big part of both legs. Scuba diving is one of the many activities he enjoys to do.

I had the pleasure to dive with Antonio in the Mediterranean and south Atlantic, (www.antoniodediego.com) where he also shared his experience during lectures and IAHD Instructor courses. Here a small tribute to a diver that supports the IAHD and is an example that “everybody can” cross barriers.

Thanks Antonio!

Please, visit his inspiring story on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxnUTX7OzII

A Trip With No Barriers “Patagonia”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QulbJv-JpzY

Meet Jose Gomez

Jose Gil Gomez, 39 years from Madrid, a diver since 2003 and IAHD Advanced Open Water diver who had Polio when he was young, 80% disabled. He travelled to Mexico with his girlfriend Adriana to fulfil a dream, diving in the Caribbean and in a cenote.

Well, he did both and I want to share what I believe is an outstanding achievement by a diver that is an example of self improvement. The 4 August, Jose and Adriana lead by Vicente Fito from Playa del Carmen Dive Center, went to the "cenote" named Angelita, located in Tulum, Quintana Roo.

A video of the adventure can be seen at YouTube here.

 Using only his hands, following all safety cave diving procedure, Jose reached 58 meters depth and experienced the freedom of diving in crystal clear warm waters of the Caribbean in the cenote.

Congratulations for this outstanding Achievement Jose!!!