The Neptune Warrior

Another amazing Sunday this week and extra special because we ran the first UDC in close to a year!

The Ultimate Dive Challenge, organized by Neptune Warrior, includes a series of unique underwater tasks designed to assist veterans, particularly those with PTSD. Each task is crafted to develop skills, confidence, and camaraderie among participants.

1. Commando Crawl:

• In this challenge, divers must use their legs to propel themselves across the pool while holding a PVC pipe behind their back. The task emphasizes leg strength and endurance. Each diver passes the pipe to a buddy on the opposite side, who then completes the return journey.

2. Air Fill:

• Participants fill clear jars with air from a supplied tank and regulator. They then transfer the air to purple bottles, aiming for full buoyancy. The station requires precision, careful handling, and teamwork.

3. Knot Count:

• Divers work in pairs, with one counting knots on a rope underwater without a mask, while the other acts as a safety diver. This exercise strengthens underwater communication and trust between diving partners.

4. Spoon and Ball:

• Divers balance a golf ball on the backside of a spoon while swimming across the pool. The goal is to place the ball in a hockey goal post at the end, testing dexterity and focus.

5. Rodeo Ride:

• This event has divers remove their Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) and fins, and swim using their hands. They can opt to use fins on their hands for an added challenge. It tests adaptability and swimming skills.

6. T-Shirt Challenge:

• This challenge is designed to test divers’ skills in removing and replacing their Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) or Backplate and Wing (BPW) in case of entanglement. Divers begin by wearing their BCD over a t-shirt, then skillfully remove their BCD, put on the t-shirt, and replace the BCD, emphasizing safety procedures and quick thinking.

7. Bottle Rockets:

• Participants learn about breath control by filling a bottle with air from their mouths and releasing it to shoot upwards. Continuous exhaling and regulator clearing are essential skills practiced here.

8. Buoyancy Tree:

• Divers place golf balls on vertical PVC pipes on a Buoyancy Tree without disturbing other balls. The station requires precision, balance, and synchronized teamwork.

9. Pipe Balance:

• The task involves balancing a third piece of PVC pipe between two others held in the hands while swimming. It requires coordination, balance, and teamwork, with buddies taking turns to complete the process.

10. SMB/Finger Reel Ascent:

• At the deepest part of the pool, divers inflate a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) attached to a finger reel and ascend slowly while coiling the reel. This focuses on controlled ascent and equipment management.

Through these various challenges, Neptune Warrior’s Ultimate Dive Challenge provides a supportive and skill-building environment for veterans, helping them in their journey towards healing and empowerment.