Research Activity Number Five

Activity: Scuba Diving for Wounded Warriors

Target participant group: Warriors with physical injuries (limb loss and spinal cord injuries) or psychological injuries (post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury)

Therapeutic potential of this activity: This activity provides many benefits to participants. It helps improve muscle strength, cardiovascular strength, mobility, blood flow, motor skills, social skills, confidence, emotional well-being, and it decreases pain.

What other groups may benefit from this activity? 

I believe this activity would be beneficial for at-risk youth.

I also believe this activity would be beneficial for geriatric participants.

What groups may not be as appropriate for this activity?

Participants with autism may not be appropriate for this activity because it may be very overwhelming with all of the sensory input.

Participants with Alzheimer’s and Dementia may not be appropriate for this activity because they may panic if they don’t remember where they are or why they are underwater.

Activity description: This is a fun, liberating activity for every participant. The water provides a cushion for participant’s limbs and muscles which allows participants to use body parts that are too painful to use outside of the water. The activity is taught by certified and experience scuba diving professionals. This activity can be done in groups or in individual sessions.

Resources needed: Scuba diving equipment and adaptive scuba equipment if needed.

Best leadership style for this activity: Participative leadership style

Where did you find this activity?

I found this activity by searching for different activities that many wounded warriors are involved in. I ended up coming across this program’s scuba diving activities. http://www.heartbeatforwarriors.org/programs/therapeutic/scuba-warriors.aspx#q1

Where can other fine more information on this activity?

Heartbeat-Serving Wounded Warriors. http://www.heartbeatforwarriors.org/programs/therapeutic/scuba-warriors.aspx#q1