Special Ops Training for West Coast Navy Divers
and Seals
Huddled behind desks
they were told what was expected of them as they read their text.They took that knowledge to the pool and perhaps with a
little bit of apprehension, they allowed their limbs to be bound,
masks blacked out, and even both.They led and were led in a series of training exercises that
would prepare them for an open water experience unlike they have
ever had before.
Together they entered the
Pacific Ocean as US Navy Divers and
Seals.Together the
exited the ocean as Scubility Buddies.
Epic Scuba Diving’s
Co-Owner Susan Walker, along with invited scuba instructor Jim
Elliot of Diveheart Military Wounded, ventured to
San DiegoCalifornia
for a week of training in early February 2008.There they met and trained US Navy Divers and Seals to become
SDI Scubility Buddies.
"It's a great
organization. I'm really glad that I got involved," said Jeff, a
Petty Officer 1st Class and Navy SEAL who said he had heard about
the event from a colleague. Jeff said the process involved working
in pairs with one participant disabled through binding or blacked
out diving masks."It
makes me feel good knowing there are people out there doing stuff
like this," Jeff said.
"The experience itself
was great training," agreed Creighton, an HM2 diver with the U.S.
Navy who read about the program in a SCUBA magazine. "It'd be great
to give back to the guys in the service. That was the thing that
moved me toward looking into it! ."
"I thought the
experience was really good. Even guys who have been doing diving for
years and years, this was a new experience for them," said Luke,
also a Petty Officer First Class and a Navy SEAL.
"SCUBA is just the sort
of experience our veterans deserve," said Susan Walker, DMW
coordinator.Susan was
able to start up DMW in cooperation with Diveheart founder Jim
Elliott. "Sharing with them the freedom of water is the least we can
do in return for their brave sacrifices."
Walkerpraised SDI for
donating training and certifying materials for the
San Diego based
soldiers. “Sean Harrison at SDI has been extremely helpful and
made the training much easier than it would have been,”
Walker
said. “They’re being so ! fantastic – I’m extremely fortunate.”
Luke praised Walker and
Elliott for their commitment to veterans. "I think it's
impressive that we've got two civilians - Sue Walker and Jim Elliott
- that are doing more for this program than anybody else has done,"
Luke said. "I think its impressive that they're the ones leading the
battle in this and taking us under their wings."
Luke said the trained
participants will identify veterans to partner with in the near
future.
Walker
said she will be seeking a not-for-profit organization to work with
the West Coast group.
For more information on
how to help or participate in this program, contact Susan Walker at
sue@epicscubadiving.com or call
773-447-9095.
