Introducing Australia's First Accessible Dive Center on the Great Barrier Reef

Experiencing the sensation of weightlessness while scuba diving is one of the most liberating feelings in the world, but it hasn't always been accessible to those with mobility challenges or special needs. It wasn't until 2023 that the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the foremost organization for scuba diver training globally, introduced the Adaptive Service Facilities designation to acknowledge dive centers equipped with adaptive resources.

In May 2023, Quicksilver Dive in Port Douglas, Australia, swiftly embraced this initiative, becoming the first PADI Adaptive Service Facility in Queensland and one of only four certified centers in the entire country. Remarkably, it is the sole facility of its kind accredited on the Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef system in the world, renowned as a diver's paradise.

Chris Snel, the operations manager at Quicksilver Dive, stated in a press release obtained by *Dinogo*, 'Our experienced dive instructors prioritize diver abilities and utilize adaptive teaching methods when training and diving with individuals with special needs—those who may have previously believed diving was beyond their reach.' He emphasized that, 'like all diving, age and medical conditions must be considered.'

In addition to revealing a new underwater realm, PADI noted that 'learning to dive has provided veterans with PTSD, individuals with significant injuries, Paralympians, and many others with opportunities for healing.'

From the outset, Quicksilver Dive was designed to cater to individuals with diverse ability levels. The facility features ramps and an elevator, along with a training pool that complies with PADI Adaptive Service Facility standards. The dive instructors are skilled in adapting their teaching methods to suit various needs and capabilities.

Situated in Port Douglas, a coastal town adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, Quicksilver Dive is surrounded by beautiful beaches—both Palm Cove and Four Mile Beach offer beach wheelchairs. The nearby Daintree National Park features multiple wheelchair-accessible walkways, including an aerial walkway that is also suitable for individuals with vision impairments and service dogs.