Page 25 - QARANC Spring 2024

The Gazette QARANC Association 25
‘A life changing
experience’
Diving with the Injured was founded by Colonel Mark Foster (pictured) who is the Military Clinical Director at RCDM and a plastic reconstructive surgeon at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
Mark is a British Sub Aqua Club advanced instructor and holds the highest military scuba diving qualifications. He arrived at RCDM in 2010 during a busy period when many injured soldiers were still being admitted from the front lines of Afghanistan.
By chance, a soldier under Marks care was a recreational scuba diver. With multiple trauma injuries that resulted in an above knee amputation, the patient vented his frustration that he would never be able to dive again. Mark immediately recognised that getting this gentleman back in the water could compliment his recovery both physically and mentally. Mark set the challenge to have him diving again within six months.
The success of this interaction was the catalyst for Diving with the Injured that formed in 2012. Mark was now not just training injured service personnel to dive, but also military medical staff to act as support divers.
DWI’s mission is to take injured veterans on a trip of a lifetime accompanied by serving military nurses who have seen everything imaginable. Due to the weightless effect of water, people with disabilities can swim alongside their able bodied ‘buddy’ as an equal. Some of the veterans have even become instructors themselves.
Diving is very expensive with one set of diving equipment costing
close to £1,000.
Without donations
to DWI, many would never have had the opportunity to try diving. If you are able to donate, please scan the QR code.
space for veterans to reflect on their journey and positively look towards the future. It has helped individuals, both veterans and those still serving, come together and create lifelong relationships through scuba diving; a sport that is a level playing field once underwater.
During the trip each evening during dinner both nurses and veterans would share their experiences of what steered them to be part of DWI.
Col Foster (RAMC) and WO2 Rycraft (QARANC) shared their hands on memories looking after patients with devastating injuries during Op TELIC and HERICK. Cpl McMahon (QARANC) from receiving injured serviceman whilst working on the military trauma orthopaedic ward at RCDM. From the veteran’s perspective it was something they looked forward to each year, so having two cancelled trips during COVID was expressed as having a profound negative effect on their mental health.
We also had a veteran state that this expedition was a great way to wind down after a prolonged period of stress and uncertainty. A returning veteran stated, it was one week of the year when they are not stared at because of their injuries. Other comments revolve around the fact that once they are below the waves, their injuries disappear, as much as they ever will.
In summary, DWI expedition 2023 was a great success with fantastic feedback. Although it is an amazing opportunity for both the injured veterans and those still serving to reflect and de-stress. It really is mainly about the veterans, and we would like to continue to be able to create this positive experience for them in the future. Without the support we have received from the QARANC, along with our other supporters, this expedition would not be able to happen. So, thank you.
WO2 Stu Rycraft (RCDM) Cpl Mc Mahon (AMD)
Pte Matilda Otway (RCDM)