Wounded service members sustain their injuries defending our freedom and way of life. Dive4Vets and our supporters firmly believe that we owe it to our brave heroes and their families to help them heal.

Dive4Vets provides scuba training at No Charge to the veteran.

Family members receive a discount off open water certifications or refresher courses.

Dive4Vets programs are available to veterans who have completed a combat tour and hold a VA disability rating. PTSD is considered a qualifying rating. No prior scuba diving experience is required.

All participants must meet basic safety requirements. In limited cases, swim test requirements may be waived on a case-by-case basis, following individual evaluation and medical clearance.

Family members are welcome to participate as well. Dive4Vets offers a reduced rate for family members enrolling in the Open Water Diver course.

An Open Water Diver certification typically takes three days to complete, though the sessions do not need to be consecutive. Veterans may participate in a private class or be integrated into a standard open water class, depending on preference, availability, and individual needs.

Where do training and dives take place?

• Classroom training is conducted at:
  
  Aquatic Ventures
  
  3720 Davie Blvd
  
  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
  
• Pool sessions are held at locations that vary depending on class size and logistics.
  
• Open water training dives take place at Perry Street in Dania Beach.
  
  A beach-access chair is available to assist divers across the sand, and dive boats may also be used for training when appropriate.
  

How many veterans participate at one time?

Dive4Vets can accommodate up to six veterans per class. One-on-one instruction is also available when needed to ensure safety, comfort, and individualized support.

Is equipment provided?

Yes. All required eLearning, instruction, and rental equipment are included in the program.

Veterans must complete the assigned eLearning before arriving for in-person training. Participants only need to bring:

• A swimsuit
  
• A towel
  
• A sense of adventure

Therapeutic diving benefits disabled veterans in more ways than many expect—physically, mentally, and socially.

Scuba diving can support improvements in mobility, balance, motor coordination, muscle engagement, circulation, and cardiovascular health. The weightless underwater environment reduces stress on joints and injured areas, often allowing veterans to move more freely and with less pain than they experience on land. Many participants report decreased pain and improvements in overall psychological well-being.

Just as important are the mental and emotional benefits. Controlled breathing, focused attention, and calm underwater conditions can help reduce anxiety and stress while promoting mindfulness and emotional regulation. For veterans living with trauma or chronic injury, this sense of control and calm can be profoundly restorative.

Therapeutic diving also addresses isolation, which many disabled veterans experience after serious injury. Injuries can disrupt a veteran’s ability to work, socialize, or feel connected to others. Diving is a team-based activity that emphasizes trust, communication, and shared responsibility—rebuilding connection through purposeful interaction.

Perhaps most powerful is the shift in self-perception. Many veterans discover a renewed sense of capability and confidence underwater—often realizing, “If I can do this, I can do anything.” Experiencing pain-free or reduced-pain movement, sometimes for the first time since injury, can create lasting positive changes not only for the veteran, but for their families as well.

Is therapeutic scuba diving safe?

Yes. Safety is our top priority. Dive4Vets programs are conducted in controlled environments and follow established recreational and adaptive scuba training standards. All participants are trained and supervised by certified professionals.

Do participants need medical clearance?

Yes. All participants are required to complete a medical questionnaire prior to training. Some veterans may also need a physician-signed medical clearance before participating, depending on individual medical history.

What certifications or standards do you follow?

Dive4Vets conducts training through Scuba Diving International (SDI) and adheres to SDI’s safety guidelines and best-practice training standards.

What adaptive equipment is available?

Dive4Vets can adapt equipment to meet individual needs. Adaptive options include a beach-access chair and a variety of scuba configurations designed to support divers with different physical abilities.

What happens if a veteran cannot complete a dive or certification?

Dive4Vets makes every reasonable accommodation to help veterans succeed, including additional instruction, extra pool sessions, or additional training dives to ensure comfort and understanding.

In some cases, a participant’s disability may prevent qualification for a full Open Water certification. When appropriate, veterans who complete training may earn a Scubility Diver rating, recognizing their training and ability to dive with appropriate supervision.

The SDI Scubility Diver Program is designed to give physically disabled divers the necessary skills and techniques used to conduct open water dives in conditions similar to their training without the direct supervision of a SDI Scubility Instructor. However, some SDI Scubility divers require supervision of a qualified SDI Dive Buddy.

Dive4Vets relies on the generous funding of our sponsors and our patrons.

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