I started my scuba training in 1970 while in college in Bremerton, WA. I took the training as a college P.E. course that was taught by former Navy divers at the local YMCA. I fell in love with the weightlessness and freedom I felt under the water. The exercises were tough, but I passed all the pool sessions, however, on the weekend of the open water dives I ended up going on a date with a girl I met in college instead. Although I missed my chance to finish my certification, the date went well and Annie and I have been together for over 50 years.

In 2015 we signed up with Dale so I could finally get certified and Annie was game to try as well. I was able to get my open water certification but despite some medical interventions and several attempts over the years, Annie was never able to successfully get hers. I added a few advanced certifications and we went on a number of dive trips together, but with me diving and Annie snorkeling.

When I heard about Adaptive Dive training I thought it sounded like something I would like to try. I signed up for the second class that Dale and SAFE offered. It was wonderful training, as it both improved my own dive skills and also served as great sensitivity training for people with disabilities, both those you can see and those not visible, such as those Annie has. In light of this training, Annie began to see an opportunity for her to finally get to dive. She took on another session of dive lessons with Dale and was able to get to a point where she was finally ready to try open water diving, but this time with adaptive dive buddies.

A journey of over 50 years came full circle in the fall of 2022 when Annie was able to make her first dive. She went on to complete eight more dives and finished brimming with confidence and smiling ear to ear. She was as happy as I’ve ever seen her as she did her ‘happy dance’ in the water on her last dive.

We have seen the life changing effects of SAFE and adaptive diving and we will be grateful forever to have a chance to be a part of it.