Dive Heart helps realise dreams of disabled six to become scuba divers

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The participants of the Dive Heart 2018 programme are (from left) Nurul Fatihah Jamaluddin, Jack Kho, Ras Adiba Radzi, Rahimah Andungai, Wong Li Wei, Ahmad Nazri Hamzah, Muhammad Rozaimi Johari and Mohamad Azwan Mohd Yusof. — Bernama photo

KUALA NERUS: It was a dream come true for paraplegic Nurul Fathiah Jamaluddin, 30, to participate in an open water scuba diving course in the waters surrounding Pulau Bidong, Terengganu.

“While my movements are somewhat restricted on the ground, I am able to overcome my fears and move freely in water which is an exhilarating experience,” said the native from Banting, Selangor.

Paralysed from the waist down after an accident 15 years ago, Nurul Fathiah was one of six persons with special needs  (OKU) chosen for the Dive Heart 2018 programme, held with the collaboration of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and  Dive Heart Organisation Malaysia.

The  two-day programme that ended Saturday saw 30 scuba divers from UMT and volunteers providing assistance to the OKU who underwent the diving course at the Marine Natural Research Station in the waters off the island, said programme director Baharim Mustapa.

The two-pronged programme was to enable scuba divers who were also volunteers to be given the exposure to help out the OKU to acquire special abilities in the water. UMT is the first university to have a  Diveheart Adaptive Diver Buddy Team.

“The selection of this research station is the first of its kind in Malaysia and the Asian region.

The programme provides a  space for those who have an  interest in scuba diving activities and who want to challenge themselves to enjoy the beauty of the marine environment in the waters off the island.

“In addition, it would further inculcate the spirit of helping among volunteers towards the OKU who want to become recreational scuba divers,” said Baharim.

Also present were Dive Heart Malaysia ambassador, Syed Abd Rahman Syed Hassan and its founder Jim Elliot.

Meanwhile, Syed Abd Rahman told Bernama that besides the six OKU, who had to previously attended special classes at a swimming pool, professional divers were exposed to special courses such as Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) adaptive techniques speciality, to ensure their skills at handling OKU divers.

“Every OKU is assisted by three normal divers, a dive master and two assistants on both sides to ensure they are comfortable and safe  while in the water,” said Syed Abdul Rahman, who has been involved in scuba diving for more than 28 years.

The six OKU divers will have to sit for a written test among other requirements, before they could be certified and issued with open water scuba diving licence.

The programme was graced by UMT’s special guest, artiste Fauziah Latiff who took the opportunity to dive with the participants and volunteers. — Bernama

Volunteer divers guide Dive Heart 2018 participants Nurul Fatihah (centre) and Muhammad Rozaimi (front) during the exercise. — Bernama photo