Needless to say that those who join them on this path, although already an experienced instructor, he found many obstacles ahead: the equipment is often inadequate, the difficulty in finding medical fitness, logistics, and especially the strong component of skepticism among the people in general and also among the population of divers.

Many considered this sport too risky and I never forget the image of the underwater superman, linked to a range of values and references with their rituals and habits.

Some Italian diving organizations also leads these modes of approach to the activity and expression of a culture to very selective, which excluded people with physical disabilities and sensory impairment. Also continuously sending signals of closure despite the attempts of involvement and confrontation.

These settings, continue for years, have created a lot of resistance, opposition and obstacles in making everyone understand that a person with physical disabilities also considerable, as a quadriplegic or blind, he could dive safely.

The first initiatives, among many obstacles, so they are handled by real pioneers and get a great and significant achievement demonstrate that the company is feasible and that despite the difficulties encountered, the diving is an achievable goal and work for people with physical disabilities (in most spinal cord injury, amputation, polio) and people with sensory disabilities.

Abroad, something "brewing" already a bit 'of time. In California, thanks to HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association) we find the first and most significant experiences in the underwater adapted.

As citizens of the world, these experiences are reflected through an intensive exchange of fruitful cooperation from some Italian groups scattered over the territory which is already active in this sector of diving.

The Milan group, already with several years of experience in swimming and acquaticità for people with disabilities, understands the need to give this free-motion strength, consistency, credibility and safety are outlined so in Italy in the late 80s the conditions for the birth of the first organization for the dissemination of diving for disabled people with the name of the National Association of diving and swimming for the disabled.

Organization that the founders wanted functional, direct, streamlined and unencumbered by bureaucratic superstructure.

An organization that always allowed to put at the heart of the individual with his personality, thereby creating the conditions for granting the wish to participate, do not stop the enthusiasm and joy in the doing, but work for their growth and implementation in a secure environment.

The association accommodate the birth and development of the Italian agency of HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association International) spread in the U.S. and in over 45 countries worldwide.

The result is a structure, a specific organization, with a dedicated teaching and a series of standards that can also encode the physical performance of the students taking part in diving courses and to develop a multilevel certification can cover a very broad spectrum of physical disabilities .

The courses are highly personalized and permit, with special teaching techniques and application of standards, targeted diving certification with various types and levels of disability.

It receives acclaim in various contexts and by many prominent personalities from the world of diving, who participate by giving their support.

Today in Italy, after more than 18 years of intense activity organized, we can say with certainty that you create a positive culture, a large, strong and structured movement on diving for people with physical disabilities.

A movement that, as a sort of flying by now unstoppable, today has prompted the emergence of other groups.

Time has proved right those who have firmly believed since the mid-80s to the marvelous possibilities that diving offers to the disabled person.

With so many unique, special, that you are dedicated and devoted with experience and strong commitment, this is now a certain reference and at the same time, a rare set of skills that are also being reinforced through the many initiatives put in field.

A key point of this broad movement is the consolidated national and international network of schools, clubs, and diving instructors who carry out their territory consistently and with high professionalism, together with significant initiatives for teaching and the opportunity to really dive for everyone.

But do not forget the important contribution that the underwater addressed to the disabled person has made the spread of the discipline diving in general, in Italy as in the world. It has dispelled a myth! That of the underwater superman, macho, heedless of danger ...

Divers with disabilities have shown everyone that anyone who enjoys good health and has followed a specific training course, you can practice diving safely, enjoying the many benefits.

It 'also true that technological progress has led to an improvement of facilities, and the strides made by the hyperbaric medicine in recent years have made a sport diving safer and easier to practice.

Remains the knowledge that all the technology in the world can not replace the experience and professionalism. The Board, therefore, to anyone who wants to embark on a journey so exciting, is to apply only to agencies with a proven educational specialist degree of experience and credibility.

This is enough because the diving is becoming something for everyone in a beautiful adventure.