Ocean Diver Diaries
Andy Jarvis tells the story of his fellow Bingham SAC member Dan Metcalfe-Hall , who was paralysed after a motorcycle accident but is determined to serve as an Instructor
Dan , ready for action , at the training pool
Being confined to a wheelchair brings its own set of challenges to say the least . To help people in this situation and with other disabilities , BSAC have developed the Diving for All diver training programme . Teaching diving as a disabled diver escalates those challenges to another level ; one which Dan Metcalfe-Hall decided , with some encouragement , to take on .
The Instructor Foundation Course ( IFC ) is probably one of the best two-day courses run by BSAC . It challenges candidates to look at themselves and their diving abilities , then to become able to transfer these skills and knowledge to new or developing divers . Imagine trying to do this while not having leg or lower body control due to paralysis .
Dan Metcalfe-Hall was the victim of a motoring accident back in 2019 and has since used a wheelchair for mobility . Anyone that knows Dan will know that such a confinement would not prevent him from taking on a challenge .
Meanwhile , Stoney Cove decided that as a BSAC Centre , they should offer every course available through the BSAC Diver Training Programme and set up an IFC for November 2021 . Seeing the event advertised and strongly encouraged by members at his club in Bingham , Nottingham , Dan decided to sign up .
Given the facilities at Stoney , they were able and prepared to accommodate Dan ’ s mobility requirements , where other venues had fallen short .
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