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Scuba Diving with ADHD

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tekmac1

Post subject: Scuba Diving with ADHD

Posted: Sep 22, 2006 - 10:41 AM

Octopus

Joined: Dec 31, 1969
Posts: 81

Status: Offline

I came across web sites discussing scuba diving and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Disorder (or its related term ADD). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it's defined as a "condition that becomes apparent in some children in the preschool and early school years. It is hard for these children to control their behavior and/or pay attention."

Statistics vary (EPA, NIMH) about the percentage of children (and adults) with the condition and its impact on learning and driving a vehicle, but I never considered the affect of ADHD and scuba diving.

"Scuba Doc" Martin Quigley, M.D. and dive instructor, expresses concern the symptoms of ADHD would present dive instructors with "great concerns in certifying as an independent diver an individual who [makes] careless mistakes, [and has] difficulty in sustaining attention in [tasks]." DAN also feels ADHD places the student diver and his buddy at risk.

Does this mean the aspiring ADHD diver will never be certified? Fortunately, no. Non-profit SOAR ( http://www.soarnc.org/ ) offers "high adventure" programs to children, teens, and adults with learning disabilities such as ADHD. In their list of programs (varied by State) is none other than scuba diving in the Florida Keys. Check out their 2007 schedule for dates and prices.

Divester