Diveheart — Helping persons with disabilities scuba dive

Ernest Teo

By Wilfred Pilo

KUCHING, Jan 20: Persons with disabilities (PWD) can now improve their range of motion and overall fitness through adaptive scuba diving, says Premier Marine and Scuba Centre proprietor Ernest Teo.

Teo, who also is a professional association diving instructor (PADI), commercial diving network (CDN), and Diveheart adaptive scuba instructor, shared that he wants to help persons with disabilities in our community to enjoy life and recreational activities through scuba diving.

“What I am doing now is called ‘Diveheart’, which started in the USA 20 years ago, where they encourage persons with disabilities to scuba dive.

“It is a non-profit activity, and we are the only training hub for an adaptive scuba training centre in Sarawak for the Diveheart mission right now,” he told reporters when met at his centre today.

Teo elaborated that he is doing this to give back to the community through his expertise in scuba diving and wants to help persons with disabilities, especially Sarawakians.

“There are so many amazing things that can benefit PWD when they do adaptive scuba diving, and it helps people with mental stress,” he said.

According to Teo, those PWD who went through adaptive scuba diving felt they could use their body more, and they could sleep better at night.

He added it could also benefit those with chronic pain, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis.

“I also hope there are corporations or individuals who can sponsor a PWD to be an adaptive diver,” said Teo. — DayakDaily