Page 193 - RAPTC Year of 2019

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It all began in 2011 when I read a SCUBA magazine piece about diving improving feelings in paralyzed individuals by up
to15%. Hidden deep within the study from the
Johns Hopkins University Hospital, I noticed
the doctors suggested in passing that they
had discovered by accident improvements in
PTSD symptoms of between 85% and 100%. I immediately focused on the fact that above 85%
as a minimum number was worthy of further investigation.
As an ex APTC Corps Diver and Sub Aqua Diving Supervisor (SADS) I was very excited about the possibility of improving or even eliminating PTSD sufferer’s symptoms. I then began to offer my location as well as my dive equipment, boat, expertise and time, free of charge to as many Wounded Warrior Organisations that I could find on the internet on both sides of the Atlantic, in an effort to give back.
After making a supreme effort to create some interest, encouraged all the way by my fellow ex Army goalkeeper Dave Smith, I finally decided to give up on all of the so called caring organizations and go it alone. In my extreme frustration I posted a rant on a British Warriors Facebook page with over 13,000 followers. This proved to be the breakthrough I needed, Jim, a PTSD sufferer who is ex Black Watch, contacted me having seen the post. He asked if he could come to the Bahamas to see whether scuba diving would help with his symptoms. I later discovered that his wife Magi was very skeptical about it all but a holiday in the Bahamas sounded good to her!
His symptoms were such that he flailed around in bed at night as if in an electric chair. He had very dark thoughts during the
useful information
day about hurting people (yeah I know, all Black Watch soldiers have those thoughts..... ha ha). He would get extremely angry if he so much as spilt a drink, broke something or had a minor mishap of some sort. Luckily, he was in a position to cover all of the expenses incurred for their trip. While awaiting his arrival I contacted as many experienced dive friends and medical types that I could, picking their brains for any I could use for “Operation Black Watch!”
PROGRESS THROUGH SCUBA DIVING
Kevin James (Ex APTC)
It was suggested to me that diving deeper was not necessarily better for improving symptoms, I kept an open mind in that regard. A programme was planned, starting with a shakedown dive to check for buoyancy, then progressing deeper for each dive to find a ‘sweet spot’ depth wise for Jim. We embarked on dives between 60 and 130 feet (PADI industry standard for deepest depth) (18 to 40m) discovering that after the deeper excursions he felt much better than after the shallower ones. He said that a couple of hours after one of the deep dives he had an episode where he felt a black cloud physically leaving his brain. He discovered that he no longer felt any anger or dark thoughts. Magi confirmed he was sleeping like a baby but stealing all the covers! (no pleasing some... ha ha) The diving continued for the week and both confirmed on leaving that his symptoms were no longer present. He has now been symptom free for 18 months.
Being encouraged by Jim’s success another sufferer was sought and subsequently found. He was unable to pay his own way so I reached out to all of my friends, family and contacts asking for advice guidance or help with raising funds. A great friend offered air miles to bring the sufferer out Economy class, then returning him home First Class! This was a very generous gift indeed.
Kevin in Dean’s Hole
Dean’s Blue Hole where the diving takes place