We offer diving to physically challenged qualified divers and diver training for the majority of individuals who are physically challenged. We also offer training to able-bodied qualified divers to become a dive buddy for divers who are physically challenged. We see SCUBA Diving as a normal activity in a prestigious sport that is not altered for people who are physically challenged. Diving offers all individuals a lifetime of enjoyment, challenge, education and socialising, which can include the whole family, and on an equal basis.

Simply diving is the only certified member of the International Association for Handicapped Divers on the Costa del Sol,Spain

We have dive sites which are suitable for all levels of divers and are happy to discuss what help you need concerning dive preparation, entries and exits from the water, surface control, communication, descents and ascents and swimming under water.

Costa Del Sol, Spain is not famous for its facilities for the physically challenged, however we has been searching for facilities which consider these needs. We also hope that you will be able to help us by providing feedback on all aspects of the services we offer and on your experience in Spain.

Discounts for group bookings.

IAHD Confined Water Diver

Confined Water training is a certification level for use in pool only. This certification is for those who enjoy the excersise and fun while scuba diving but have no desire to explore the outdoor water.

IAHD Open Water Diver
The Open Water Diver course provides the elementary knowledge and skills required to safely dive in an open-water environment. The course is performance based. This means that you must show competence in both academic and water-skills requirements before becoming certified. Upon completion of the course you receive the Open Water Diver certification based upon your level of self-dependence and your ability to assist your fellow divers.

Course prerequisites:
Minimum age by course start is 12 years.
You must also submit a medical approval for diving.

IAHD Dive Partner

The Dive Partner is a certified diver that has been specifically trained in how to dive with a physically disabled diver. As in the Pro-Training you receive first hand experience in understanding some of the problems encountered by disabled divers. The training also enables you in becoming an efficient diving assistant.

Course prerequisites:

Minimum age by course start: 16 years. Minimum diving experience: Certified in diving by an internationally recognised diver training organization and show proof of a minimum of 20 logged dives with experience in navigation and night diving. You must also have undergone training in Rescue diving, First Aid and CPR.

IAHD Dive Leader

• You will learn how to relate to some of the psychological aspects of someone who has become physically disabled.
  
• You will learn about a variety of physical disabilities and how they relate to scuba diving.
  
• Through simulations and workshops in the Pool and Open Water you learn how to overcome some of the problems you may encounter when training physically disabled divers.
  
• You are trained in a variety of methods for assisting those with sight impairment, hearing impairment, spinal injuries, amputations, etc.
  
• You are trained in how to adapt and modify normal diving equipment to the needs of the disabled diver.
  
• You will learn how to become more aware of your students, their need, their attitudes, etc.
  
• You will learn how to develop a foresight in logistic awareness and considerations.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE IAHD

The IAHD was founded in 1990 by Maurice Parry, a diving professional since 1980. The IAHD has its head office in Middenmeer in the Netherlands. There are currently thousands of IAHD instructors worldwide and the number of physically challenged divers increases by a few thousand each year.
The IAHD routinely contacts many physically challenged individuals each year through rehabilitation centres and can make a dive programmes to measure. Suitable local swimming facilities are utilised and the IAHD provides local instructors and takes care of all the practical aspects involved in diving.

BECOMING AN IAHD DIVE PARTNER OR PROFESSIONAL

Diving is, in itself, an unforgettable experience; the extra dimension it offers to a physically challenged individual is awesome. Whenever we dive we take for granted the sights, sounds and sensations of being underwater. For many of the physically challenged, some or all of these sensations are heightened and diving provides a unique opportunity to move freely, weightlessly and without restriction. Physically challenged participants describe it as an important stimulus in their mental and physical condition and they very much appreciate the valuable social interaction with others.

The Dive Partner System

A physically challenged diver, like any other diver, needs a partner to dive with. And in this case the partner must be able to cope with the disability. BIDP can offer you an IAHD course to become a dive partner to a physically challenged diver. To enter the course, you need to be a licensed Rescue diver or have a similar license. It is not important which organisation licensed you as long as it is an internationally recognised diving organisation. Your license with the original diving organisation will not change.

Become an IAHD Professional

To teach a disabled person how to dive, an instructor needs to know what aspects need special attention and how to incorporate these in the diving course. If you are a Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor and you want to teach disabled person to dive, you can enrol in an Instructor Training Course. Nothing will change in your license and the powers it lends you with your original diving organisation.