SUDS Scuba Diving Programme Continues to Help Wounded Soldiers

Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS) is continuing to help injured servicemen and women through its programme which allows them to learn how to scuba dive and regain their mobility and confidence in a fun way.

The non-profit charitable organisation took its team of instructors to Baltimore recently to help injured soldiers enjoy scuba diving at the city's National Aquarium.

U.S Marine Corporal Charles Stringer, a single amputee who was wounded in combat in Afghanistan, took his third dive and was encouraged by trainers at the aquarium to get up close to the animals such as sea turtles and colourful fish.

"It just clears your mind. You forget everything for a while and enjoy the scenery," Stringer said.

Andy Dehart who works at the National Aquarium, said: "For me, I get to work these animals every day and it's still exciting. But to see these guys have this face-to-face encounter with these animals is really special."

SUDS has helped over 200 veterans enjoy scuba diving adventures so far and the organisation heavily relies on donations.

"My husband is being certified today. It's a great programme. I can't thank them enough for the fact that he's able to do these things," commented Rebecca Gorsuch.

Based at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Bethesda, Maryland in the United States, SUDS helps injured service members who are returning from Afghanistan and Iraq and trains them to become scuba divers. The underwater training helps towards the rehabilitation process and also gives the soldiers a sense of accomplishment as they undergo new challenges.

SUDS was established in 2007 and its mission statement reads: "Our participants can accomplish extraordinary things regardless of their disabilities and the SUDS program gives them an opportunity to prove it to themselves."

Scuba diving can help transform the lives of injured and disabled people and it is becoming an increasing popular sport thanks to the support of global charities and generous donations from the public.

After receiving training from professional instructors, disabled divers can go on to enjoy scuba diving holidays across the world.

There are plenty of scuba diving destinations to choose from across the world including Caribbean islands such as the Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Cuba, and Curacao; the Red Sea resorts in Egypt of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada; the Maldives and the Seychelles; the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in the U.S; and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.