The Dive Pirates foundation, a non-profit organization of scuba diving enthusiasts that sponsors those with disabilities, many of whom are recent amputees rebuilding their lives after serving their country in Iraq, left for Cayman Brac May 26 with three recently trained adaptive scuba divers, two returning adaptive divers, one adaptive diver new to the organization, and 29 certified divers as diving buddies, family members, and supporters.

“This ‘Back to the Brac’ trip is the living, breathing success of what Dive Pirates is all about,” explained foundation co-founder Barbara Thompson.

“Thanks to our sponsors and many generous people we supply equipment, gear and lessons to offer an underwater experience to those who may not have thought possible, but it’s not a one-time deal.”

Foundation co-founder Sophie Wimberley added, “We want to give them something they can enjoy for life, and now our adaptives are returning for more trips, going on trips with their families, it’s great.”

Returning adaptive divers are Eric Alva, USMC retired (amputee) of San Antonio, Texas and Shawn Unruh, USMC retired (paraplegic) of Albuquerque, N.M.

Students going on their first open-water dive after completing their training are Sean Barr, USMC retired (quadriplegic) of Houston, Leland Walker (quadriplegic) of Albuquerque and Natalie Mink (cerebral palsy) of Houston, Texas.

Peter Gamble, USN retired of Tucson, Ariz. is a paraplegic diver joining the group for the first time after discovering Dive Pirates through its website.

“A lot of the pain goes, disappears, it is like an in-body experience, not out of body, definitely an in-body experience,” said Unruh about his newfound freedom underwater.

“It is almost like you transform from the person you are in the chair, to a brand new person in the water,”

Reef Divers, the dive operator in Cayman Brac, will not only host the Dive Pirates, but six of its staff will be trained as SSI Adaptive Instructors by Stacey Minton, SSI course director. Lisa Mitchell, the Caribbean business consultant for SSI will also be on hand to witness the instruction and help certify Reef Divers at an SSI resort facility.

“By taking this pro-active step Reef Divers will become a preferred adaptive referral centre for SSI,” said manager Jason Belport.

“We want all divers to know that we are well-equipped, well-trained and welcome all divers of all abilities to come enjoy the Sister Islands here at Cayman Brac.”

The Dive Pirates will be staying at the Brac Reef Beach Resort through an exclusive arrangement inaugurated in 2005 after the first trip with the help of manager Trudy Viers. Reggie Kirkconnell of Brac Vacations provided travel arrangements.

The Dive Pirates Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing scuba diving to persons with disabilities and joining them with the mainstream of divers. Its vision is to create a community of adaptive divers that will dive and travel in the mainstream world of scuba diving through education and overcoming obstacles. For more information about the foundation or the Back to the Brac trip go to .