Yesterday I had the privilege of instructing Ollie Knocker on his first Discover Scuba Diving experience. Ollie suffers from a rare muscular disability which has rendered him wheelchair bound. However, this has not deterred him from getting involved in diving.

Ollie is not the first disabled guest I have dived with; and each time I have done it I am always struck by what a leveller taking able bodied people and disabled people in the water is. There is very little difference in the teaching methods and the assistance we provide to the student.

We chose to dive from Hin Wong Bay in Koh Tao because it has relatively easy beach access, an easy gentle sloping beach profile, which is perfect for Discover Scuba Diving students. On the dive itself, we were lucky and were rewarded with amazing views of schooling Yellow Banded Fusiliers, Harlequin Sweetlips, Nudibranchs, and many colourful species of reef fish.

As a student Ollie was really focused and was able to demonstrate the basic skills first time, and seemed really relaxed in the water. After the dive he was brimming with excitement which is the biggest reward for instructors when we take out new divers. Ollie was kind enough to leave us with the following quote.

“A really fantastic experience, the team at DJL not only made diving possible for someone with a disability like myself, but also made it incredibly easy and enjoyable. I will certainly never forget it!”

So well done Ollie, and keep up the diving!!!