​From June 22-29, 2024, LifeWaters celebrated its 10th annual Cozumel trip, a monumental milestone in our mission of bringing adventure and healing through adaptive scuba diving. This year, we were honored to welcome over 70 participants, including 26 divers with disabilities, for an unforgettable week of camaraderie, exploration, and growth beneath the waters of Cozumel, Mexico.

This incredible event would not have been possible without the dedicated partnership of Gigglin' Marlin Dive and Swim from Houston, Texas, and Deep Exposure Dive Center in Cozumel. Together, they provided top-tier support, ensuring that every diver, no matter their level of ability, could safely explore the vibrant marine life that makes Cozumel a world-renowned diving destination.

Our Cozumel trips have always been about more than just diving; they are about building connections, challenging personal limits, and fostering a sense of community among divers of all abilities. The 10th annual trip was no exception, with experienced Dive Buddies and instructors assisting each diver based on their individual needs. The Scubility classifications (DB1, DB2, and DB3) guided this process, making it possible for every diver to have the support they needed to enjoy a fully immersive experience.

For many participants, this trip was a life-changing opportunity. Adaptive scuba diving allows individuals with physical challenges to feel weightless and free, giving them the chance to rediscover their sense of adventure. Whether it was a diver’s first time in the water or a returning participant, every moment spent beneath the surface of the ocean brought new discoveries and personal achievements.

Many of our divers with disabilities worked with a team of dedicated Dive Buddies, ensuring their safety while enabling them to independently explore Cozumel’s famous coral reefs, teeming with marine life. Watching these divers achieve what may have once seemed impossible is always a highlight of our trips.

Reflecting on a decade of our annual Cozumel trips, it’s clear that LifeWaters has grown into more than just a diving organization. We are a family. Each year, we bring together Veterans, First Responders, Civilians with disabilities, and their supporters, creating a safe space for personal growth, healing, and the shared joy of scuba diving.

As we look forward to the future, we are filled with gratitude for our dedicated volunteers, the generosity of donors, and the commitment of our community partners. The success of our Cozumel trip is just one example of what can be achieved when people come together for a common purpose.

The 10th annual Cozumel trip may be behind us, but the impact of this experience will be felt for years to come. We are already planning for next year’s adventure, eager to continue expanding our programs and reach even more divers who can benefit from the transformative power of the ocean.

Thank you to everyone who made this milestone event possible. We can't wait to dive with you again soon!

Ready to Join Us? If you’re interested in supporting or participating in LifeWaters' adaptive diving programs, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can continue to provide opportunities for adventure, healing, and growth. Simply complete the "Connect With Us" section below or email [email protected]

Check out Gigglin' Marlin's website for details on next years trip and start planning! 
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St. Louis, MO – July 21st, 2024 – LifeWaters St Louis is proud to announce the successful completion of its second Open Water Scuba Diver course of the year! Held at the stunning Mermet Springs, a group of six dedicated individuals, including five veterans and one civilian volunteer and future Scubility Buddy, worked hard on completing their certifications during a weekend filled with learning, camaraderie, and adventure.

LifeWaters has always been driven by a vision to inspire hope and contribute to the health and well-being of individuals through the supportive environment of scuba diving. Our mission is to provide adaptive scuba diving training and foster camaraderie, bringing adventure and healing to Veterans, First Responders, and Civilians with disabilities. We believe in the power of pushing beyond disabilities and sharing these inspiring stories with America.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, LifeWaters relies solely on grants, donations, and the tireless efforts of our volunteers to accomplish our mission. The success of this weekend's event would not have been possible without the generous support of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making this event a reality.

We also want to give a special thanks to Mermet Springs for being an outstanding community partner. Their facilities and support have been instrumental in providing a safe and enriching environment for our divers to learn and grow.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a diver or volunteering with LifeWaters, we encourage you to visit our website at LifeWaters.org. You can use the "Contact Us" feature for more information or email us directly at [email protected]. Your involvement could make a significant difference in the lives of our participants, helping us continue to bring adventure and healing through scuba diving.

Join us in celebrating this milestone and supporting a cause that empowers individuals to overcome challenges and discover the joy of scuba diving.

About LifeWaters: LifeWaters is dedicated to providing adaptive scuba diving training and camaraderie for Veterans, First Responders, and Civilians with disabilities. Our passion for scuba diving and commitment to pushing beyond disabilities drive us to share our story and inspire others across the nation.

​Contact:
LifeWaters
[email protected]
​LifeWaters.org

Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of the LifeWaters community!

​LifeWaters is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our mission to make scuba diving accessible to everyone: the certification of our first group of Open Water divers for 2024. This class, which began training in March, consisted of four veterans, one family member, and one VA employee who is on track to become a Scubility Buddy. Their journey culminated in successful certification dives at Mermet Springs on May 18, 2024.

The path to becoming a certified diver is rigorous and demanding, requiring dedication, resilience, and a passion for the underwater world. Our students embarked on this journey with a shared determination to overcome personal challenges and embrace new possibilities. Beginning in March, the training program combined rigorous academic instruction with practical underwater skills. The students trained extensively in controlled environments, gradually building confidence and competence. Their progress was a testament to their hard work and the unwavering support of our dedicated instructors. On May 18th, the students gathered at Mermet Springs, a renowned diving site known for its friendly and knowledgable staff, as well as it's diverse underwater attractions. Overcoming initial nerves, they executed their certification dives with precision and enthusiasm. The moment they emerged from the water, smiles and cheers marked the culmination of weeks of hard work and perseverance.

This accomplishment is more than just a certification; it marks the beginning of a new chapter for these individuals. The newly certified divers are now part of a global community, with opportunities to explore the underwater world and continue their scuba journey. For the VA employee, this certification is a stepping stone towards becoming a Scubility Buddy, ready to assist and inspire future divers.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this possible. Our dedicated instructors, supportive family members, and the VA staff have all played an integral role in this success. Special thanks go to the National VA Adapted Sports Grant for their continued support, and to Mermet Springs for providing an ideal location for our certification dives. And most of all, our buddiies and vi=olunteers who make all of this happen. We could not do it without you!

LifeWaters remains committed to creating opportunities for veterans and individuals with disabilities to experience the transformative power of scuba diving. We look forward to certifying many more divers and expanding our reach to bring the joys of underwater exploration to all.

Congratulations to our first group of certified Open Water divers! Your achievement is an inspiration, and we are excited to see where your scuba journey takes you next.

​In May 2024, a dedicated team from LifeWaters, a non-profit organization specializing in adapted scuba diving, finally touched down in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Their mission: to offer the SDI Scubility Discover Scuba program to a group of veterans from the San Juan VA Medical Center/VA Caribbean Health Care and Veterans Affairs. This long-awaited "adventure" in the VA therapy pool had faced numerous setbacks over the years, from a devastating hurricane to the global COVID-19 pandemic. But now, the time had come, and it felt incredibly rewarding to be there.

This remarkable event was made possible by the support of the National VA Adapted Sports Grant, which funded the LifeWaters team’s journey. Key contributors included Dr. Eduardo Nadal, Chief of the VA Spinal Cord Injury Unit, and Luis Rivas, a psychologist with the same unit. The San Juan Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) generously provided snacks, breakfast, coffee, and lunch throughout the weekend. Essential SCUBA gear was supplied by Great Escape Puerto Rico, while PR Dive provided additional equipment and full air cylinders. A heartfelt thanks goes out to the staff from the San Juan VA, including nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, as well as the tireless LifeWaters team for their countless hours of preparation.

The event primarily served 29 veterans referred by the VA San Juan Medical Center’s Spinal Cord Injury Unit, including individuals with limb amputations and visual impairments. The traveling team included LifeWaters’ President and his wife, a certified paraplegic diver from LifeWaters, five SDI Scubility Dive Instructors, and a SDI Rescue Diver/Equipment Manager.

The weekend kicked off on Friday evening with an in-person and online meet-and-greet with the veterans, followed by a mini-class on scuba diving fundamentals. This session also included academic training for able-bodied staff and other divers who would assist in the pool, preparing them to become SDI Scubility Dive Buddies.
Saturday and Sunday were spent in the warm waters of the VA pool with the disabled veterans. Many of these veterans had been divers before their injuries or diagnoses and had not been underwater with SCUBA gear since. Over the course of the weekend, each veteran participated in at least three underwater sessions. They emerged from the water with smiles, laughter, and a renewed desire to continue their scuba journey, with nearly half sharing heartfelt testimonials.

LifeWaters aims to establish a sustainable adapted SCUBA diving program in each new location they visit. In San Juan, they plan to leverage the National VA Adapted Sports Grant to train local trainers and make the island a prime destination for disabled divers. Two participants from Great Escape Puerto Rico are currently undergoing LifeWaters’ Instructor Development and Evaluation course, set to conclude in August 2024. Additionally, three or four Dive Instructors from PR Dive, who are certified by a different SCUBA organization, will cross over to become SDI Scubility Instructors. This core group will sustain the program in San Juan, drawing on their excellent teaching skills and dedication.
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LifeWaters is excited about the prospect of returning to San Juan to continue building this vital program. They look forward to working alongside this incredible group of divers and further supporting the VA staff members who have been instrumental in developing the program as community partners. The journey has just begun, and the future looks bright for adapted scuba diving in Puerto Rico.