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Healing VETS Through SCUBA

“IMMERSED IN PEACE AND PURPOSE”

Diver and Reef
Am and POW Flags Underwater

OUR MISSION

The Undersea Warriors mission is to provide a recreational SCUBA diving therapy program to disabled Veterans diagnosed with certain mental health conditions as a result of their military service. We provide the funding for disabled Veterans to become SDI SCUBA certified.

Based in Deerfield Beach Florida, we are a growing network of chapters that consist of both Veterans and civilians who organize, administer and support a therapeutic recreational SCUBA diving program for those Veterans who are suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic Adjustment Disorder (CAD). Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Anxiety, Depression and or Military Sexual Trauma (MST).

To qualify as a beneficial member of the Undersea Warriors, you must have served in the US Army, US Marines, US Air Force, US Navy, US Coast Guard and/or US Space Force, have separated under Honorable conditions and received a disability rating from the VA or have been diagnosed with one or more of the mental health medical conditions noted.  For Veterans who have not been previously diagnosed with a mental health condition, but believe they have any of the conditions listed above, they can register and receive a personal mental health evaluation from a mental health professional associated with the Undersea Warriors.

The only other qualification is the “DESIRE” to participate and receive the therapy and benefits that recreational SCUBA diving provides. 

UNDERSEA WARRIORS

WHY SCUBA & WHY UNDERSEA WARRIORS?

Being underwater is peaceful and brings you into a world that many visit to see the amazing life below the surface.  Many studies have been conducted that show the many benefits of “Blue Therapy”, especially for those who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic Adjustment Disorder (CAD). Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Anxiety, Depression and or Military Sexual Trauma (MST).  Read more about the effects of SCUBA by clicking here: BENEFITS OF SCUBA

To join the Undersea Warriors, you don’t have to be a SCUBA certified diver, you must want to become a SCUBA certified diver.

The Undersea Warriors program will introduce you to SCUBA diving through a Try SCUBA Diving class. You will be supervised by a team of experienced dive instructors and experience breathing underwater through a regulator, while wearing full dive gear (a BC, tank, dive mask, snorkel and fins). This class will take place in a training pool.

After your Try SCUBA Diving class, if you decide “THIS IS FOR ME!”, and want to take the next step to become a SCUBA certified diver, we will make that happen! Undersea Warriors will cover the cost for both the Open Water Diver and Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver certifications as well are your personal snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins and dive boots.

If you are ready to commit to yourself and to the Underseas Warriors that you want to include SCUBA diving therapy in your life, click here:  JOIN UNDERSEA WARRIORS

If you are a Veteran and are SCUBA certified (NAUI, PADI, SDI or SSI), join the Undersea Warriors and experience “BLUE THERAPY” and camaraderie with other Veterans and civilian volunteers. If you are SCUBA certified and haven’t had a dive in a while, Undersea Warriors will provide you with a refresher class with a qualified SCUBA instructor.  Once you get back in the water, so much will come back to you!  It’s always safety first. 

SCUBA DIVING IS A “BUDDY” SPORT AND “NO ONE DIVES ALONE”  

Consider joining Undersea Warriors with a dive buddy.  A dive buddy may be your spouse, partner, a Veteran buddy, civilian friend or relative.  As long as they want to be your dive buddy and go through the SCUBA certification process with you, they can join you on the journey.

If you do not have a dive buddy, don’t stress, the Undersea Warriors will partner you with one. We will have other Veterans joining the program and will be getting SCUBA certified with you. Also, we have Undersea Warriors members, who are SCUBA certified and want to be your dive buddy!  To begin your journey, click here: JOIN UNDERSEA WARRIORS

OUR VISION

A world where no Veteran suffers from service-connected Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Anxiety, Depression and/or Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and goes without therapy.

Every year over 8,000 Veterans (22 each day) choose to end their lives due to Mental Health issues.

This should be no surprise since these professions subject the Veteran to constant exposure to traumatic events.

Veterans try to compartmentalize these tragic events, but constant exposure can lead to stress, anxiety or depression.

The Undersea Warriors SCUBA Diving Program aides Veterans who returned home wounded, with the often-unseen conditions resulting in a diagnosis of TBI, PTSD, anxiety, depression and/or military sexual trauma.

We do this through a recreational SCUBA diving program that provides weekly group dives and interaction with other Veterans and civilians who care.

SCUBA diving has been proven to be a therapeutic experience for individuals who have been diagnosed with the above mental health conditions, offering potential benefits in managing symptoms and promoting well-being.

The immersive nature of diving, combined with its focus on rhythmic breathing and teamwork, can help reduce stress, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.

For a list of additional benefits click: ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF SCUBA