PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Once again Dan Barrett has captured the essence of the subject as he reports on Diveheart's use of the full face mask as a tool for divers with disabilities.

Dan's story does a lot to explain how Diveheart and DMW Diveheart Military Wounded divers get a chance they might not otherwise have had if it were not for the adaptation of the full face mask as a tool to help them experience the "Wonder of the Water Column".

One thing Dan's story does not touch on though is what a perfect tool the full face mask with communications is for individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).

Diveheart has been using the masks for divers with Traumatic Brain injuries for years and we have enjoyed outstanding success. This is so important now as TBI is the signature wound of the current war in Iraq and Afghanistan and as a result we're seeing more and more young soldiers return with these types of injuries.

Working with an individual with a TBI is challenging but very rewarding when you can get them to experience a dive with a tool like the full face mask.

Diveheart is continually raising funds to obtain and maintain these specialized masks and would not be able to be as successful as we have been had it not been for the help & generosity of organizations like OTS, (http://www.oceantechnologysystems.com/) distributors of the Aga Mask and most recently Ocean Reef (http://www.oceanreefgroup.com/)

We thank these two organizations and the thousands of Diveheart donors who help to make this type of equipment available for our children, adults and veterans with disabilities.

Jim Elliott
President of Diveheart

---

Diveheart Newsflash Feature Story

Compassion: The Mother of Invention

By Dan Barrett

In the 2004 comedy-drama The Life Aquatic, native Chicago actor Bill Murray is seen conversing underwater with his 'long-lost' son, played by Owen Wilson. They are using an OTS full face mask and buddy phone. It’s a scene that would make almost any experienced diver cringe.

Read More ...