Many dive businesses and clubs in the Puget Sound area hosted underwater pumpkin carving events this Halloween season. This year, we partnered with Eight Diving for an event at Les Davis Pier in Tacoma. In staying true to Jade Scuba Adventures owner’s dedication to serving our veterans and first responders, our event was also supported by Higher Ground.
Below: We had a great turn out of divers from Jade Scuba Adventures and Eight Diving!
Underwater Pumpkin Carving
It’s just as difficult as you would imagine! Most divers struggle with managing their buoyancy at one time or another. Now, try add trying to carve a buoyant, hard-to-grasp pumpkin underwater! This is a popular social activity for divers because we enjoy being a bit silly underwater and the photos are excellent 🙂
Recreational Therapy
Additionally, we are thankful for the financial support of organizations like the non-profit Higher Ground that help us to better serve our local veterans and first responders with disabilities. Their mission is to enhance quality of life through therapeutic recreation and education.
As defined by American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC): Recreational therapy is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being.
Physical therapy will help you function with mobility. Occupational therapy will help you with your daily living. Recreational therapy helps people get back to being themselves.
Outcomes of Recreational Therapy
Research indicates that recreational therapy provides a variety of positive health outcomes for individuals of all ages with physical disabilities, older adults, individuals with psychiatric disorders and people with developmental disabilities or brain injuries.
Positive Outcomes Include:
- Improved physical and mental health
- Increased feeling of independence
- Decrease in negative coping mechanisms
- A sense of community
- Improved outlook on life
