January 2023 Speaker Preview

Our speakers for January are Jim Elliott, founder and Tinamarie Hernandez, Executive Director both of Diveheart.

Jim is co-author of the Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Training program and is a leader on forwarding Scuba Therapy research around the world. As a Rotarian, he lives by the motto of “Service Above Self” and works with service organizations worldwide to grow adaptive scuba programs that serve children, adults and veterans with disabilities in the communities where they live. 

Tinamarie began her assignment as Diveheart executive director in February of 2014. She is deeply committed to Diveheart’s mission and vision and has already implemented many changes that have allowed Diveheart to grow. 

The zero-gravity aquatic environment offers perfect buoyancy and balance to those who might struggle on land, providing physical and psychological therapeutic value. It is this can-do spirit that Diveheart seeks to instill in its participants. Diveheart has changed the language from Handicapped and Disabled scuba to Adaptive scuba which is now a recognized norm in the scuba industry. They have helped launch adaptive scuba programs all over North America and the Caribbean to Malaysia, Australia, China, Israel and the UK. 

Diveheart has since 2001 innovated the premier adaptive scuba training program in the industry, while growing Diveheart Scuba Experience pool programs (DSE’s), adaptive scuba adventure trips and adaptive outreach and education opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In addition they are working on these fronts:

• Diveheart Military Wounded
• Research collaborations with therapists, physicians, and researchers at university medical centers
• Adaptive Dive symposia

See Diveheart in the award winning documentary Adapting to Dive (Free preview, Amazon,) and on the TV show Random Acts Diving & Thriving episode. 

Diveheart Website

Diveheart news & video library

Diveheart on Facebook

Adaptive Dive Training Program