14 years ago, Kevin, a qualified diving instructor, read an article in Diver magazine referencing research carried out by Johns Hopkins University. This article described the results from a series of experiments where quadriplegic and paraplegic people were offered 1 week scuba diving experiences at various depths (with an average of 18 metres /60 ft) to test a range of physical and psychological effects. Among other things, the results suggested that diving at depth in warm, clear waters successfully treated the symptoms of PTSD – resulting in reductions of symptom severity by 80%, and in some cases leaving sufferers PTSD symptom free.  

 

This intrigued Kevin, a retired British Army PT trainer, long-time supporter of charitable causes, highly qualified diving instructor and keen recreational diver. Inspired by a desire to help people and with his unique combination of skills, motivations and location (living close to Dean’s Blue Hole in Clarence Town, Long Island, The Bahamas) Kevin took this initial idea and ran with it. For eight years he tried to interest charities, academics, and sufferers in working with him to take the idea forward and offer PTSD treatment through scuba diving at depth in Long Island.  

 

Seven years ago Kevin successfully treated his first visitor, Jim, who to this day remains PTSD symptom free. Since that first success, Kevin experimented with the depth, number and frequency of dives as well as approaches to supporting sufferers to make the best of the time on the island. He refined a protocol that he believes (and the evidence suggests) enhances the efficacy of treatment for sufferers, both in and out of the water. 

 

Since 2019, 18 other people have visited Long Island, dived in Dean’s Blue hole under Kevin’s careful accompaniment, and left the island symptom free. Evidence collected through independent pre- and post- treatment surveys using standard psychological instruments suggests that the treatment, including the 10-14 day stay in Long Island, provides long-lasting and significant relief or freedom from PTSD symptoms.  

 

Jim and his wife Magi went on to support the organisation with fundraising and building a strong awareness. They are the co-founders of UK based charity Progress Through Scuba Diving. The charity supported many of our 19 participants who met the criteria of being UK combat veterans suffering from PTSD or Complex PTSD. 

 

DepthWorks is a new and complementary organisation, working alongside Progress Through Scuba Diving, We want to build a more sustainable and far-reaching organisation, and expand the criteria for who can access this life-changing treatment. 

 

We know that PTSD can come from a range of experiences. We know that our deep diving treatment approach is proven to work to relieve PTSD symptoms. We also know that debilitating mental health experiences (such as anxiety, depression, OCD, brain injury, addiction and risk taking behaviour) associated with PTSD have shown promising signs of relief or reduction in severity in people we have worked with. 

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If you want to know more on the development of the approach, read Kevin's post "How it all started" or get in touch with him directly; email Kevin

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If you know someone who you think could benefit from working with us, get in touch with Maia or Kevin.   

 

If you would like to support our work, get in touch with Erica.

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