Be A Diver Pool Helps Disabled Military Veterans From Across the Nation Try Scuba Diving at the 8th Annual Adaptive Watersports Festival

The Be A Diver Pool Tour will stop in Breezy Point, New York from July 14-15, to join New York City Firefighters and Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) volunteers to introduce scuba diving to disabled military veterans at the 8^th Annual Adaptive Watersports Festival.

Retail Membership Manager, “Big Wave” Dave Reidenbach, and DEMA Member Retailers Hoboken Divers, Kings County Diver, Scuba Network, Scuba New York and Ski and Scuba Connection, will be on site to introduce scuba diving to these soldiers in the Be A Diver portable pool. “Learning to scuba dive helps immensely mostly because it shows you’re still capable of accomplishing things you never thought, even prior to injury,” commented Wounded Military Veteran Chris Melendez.

Over 100 members of the U.S. Armed Services, many having sacrificed limbs as a result of injuries sustained while fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will experience adapted scuba in the Be A Diver pool as part of the WWP’s Physical Health & Wellness program. The program looks to optimize the physical and psychological well-being of warriors through recreation and sports programs, physical health promotion strategies, physical rehabilitation and legislative policy change.

“DEMA and the Be A Diver Pool are thrilled to again be a part of this program and help these courageous men and women explore health and wellness options which can enhance their lives, said Tom Ingram, DEMA Executive Director. “We are continually amazed and impressed with their strength and character, and we thank them for their service. If this program helps even in a small way, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve them, and we look forward to sharing our own love for the freedom, peace and adventure the water and recreational scuba diving can offer.”

Making stops throughout the year at various consumer-oriented travel, outdoor activity and adventure shows, the Be A Diver Pool makes it possible for anyone in good health, 10 years old and up to discover the fun and exciting sport of scuba diving for FREE in the comfort of a large, tropically warm pool. Event attendees are also able to test out some of the latest scuba equipment and have their photo taken underwater as an everlasting keepsake. Those who take the plunge in the Be A Diver Pool can use provided wetsuits, towels, dressing rooms and even hair dryers!