Easy access sites for disabled diver

[nigelH]

I'd go for a boat with a lift over a shore dive anyday.
Well a good platform lift not one of these powered-ladder types.

I'm a Grandfather with copious joint damage from Motorcycle racing and I've yet to discover an 'easy' shore entry. However striding off the back of a boat to go diving and then come back, swim onto the platform, wait while the deck comes into view then waddle off and sit down works for me every time.

[Fiona]

I'd go for a boat with a lift over a shore dive anyday.
Well a good platform lift not one of these powered-ladder types.

Absolutely agree Nigel. I just got thinking about dive sites and their facilities which seem to be sadly lacking.

[Stephen]

I would agree with that - but the fact is that option isnt always available or convenient- and some shore dives are a lot easier than others.

[Bardo]

I always thought Dorothea would be fun in a wheelchair

Hehe. Getting *to* the water's edge would be extremely easy at Dorothea - just kit up, disengage the brake and get ready for a big splash!

[divingdancer]

've dived Stoney and Capers. Used the disabled bay at Stoney and was kitted up by hubby and chucked in. He de-kits me whilst in the water and I either use the steps up or have to very ungracefully (for a former ballet dancer) stagger out of the water at the ramp after trying to stand up without hurting my knees and back.

At Capers I told the guy on the gate I needed disabled parking and they escorted me down to the road to the quarry and parked at the side. As it is a nice gentle slope into Capers I walked in slowly and was kitted up in the water. Not found a problem with anyone nicking or moving my walking stick whilst I am in the water.

hubby makes a great kit wallah!

I find when boat diving that other people are really helpful by putting my weights in the pockets when I 'm in the water and de-kitting whilst still in the water. not lost any kit yet.

Thanks to all those out there who help or are willing to wait that little bit longer as I block up the exits whilst dekitting. It helps that no-one so far has been horrible.

[Allan Carr]

So apart from a couple of parking spaces Allan, do places like Stoney provide enough or should they try harder.

Most of the disabled divers that I have seen at Stoney have had able bodied helpers and I think it would be very difficult for say, two disabled divers to get in together. We've never needed to ask the Stoney staff for further assistance so I don't know if they would be willing to provide this.

Even the walk down from the disabled parking spaces (which are the three at the end near the toilets is very steep and my wife wouldn't be able to manage without assistance and that is without carrying any gear. I always take a trolley to carry our gear to and from the water and wherever possible, my elder son who fortunately is never one to miss out on any sort of dive if he has the chance.

I think Stoney's actions are more of a gesture than any real attempt to encourage disabled divers which is a great shame because it is a great sport for the disabled. My wife says that it is the one time when she is completely free of pain, released from the constraints of gravity and another diver we met at Stoney who suffered from chronic arthritis said the same.

When we were in British Columbia a few years ago, we were told about a diving club in Vancouver especially for disabled divers who go by the name 'The Gimps' (their name for the club). One of the members has no legs and apparently they just kit him up and drop him overboard and he uses either hand fins or a scooter for propulsion.