Software Engineer Seeks Government Grant To Train As Rescue Diving Volunteer

by Robert
(Winston-Salem, NC, USA)

7 Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

My wife and I returned from our honeymoon in Grand Cayman this week and to say we were awestruck would be a significant understatement.

While we were there we spent a great deal of time snorkeling and absolutely got hooked. After our first few hours nosing around a reef we decided to get dive certified when we got home in case we ever had a chance to visit again.

As I thought further about diving and started doing research on training facilities, I found stories and articles about rescue diving. It immediately hit me that, should I become certified, I would like to continue my training as a search and rescue diver and offer myself as a volunteer in that capactity.

As I live in central North Carolina, there are, I assume, limited numbers of divers, but many large lakes which attract thousands of boaters, swimmers, and tourists every year. I think that assisting the emergency response teams in my surrounding area would be a way to give back to the community.

I am a 40-year-old software engineer who grew up backpacking, canoeing, climbing, hiking, and skiing. I run and keep fit.

I paid for school for my programming degree by working as a veterinary technician and surgical assisant in an after hours veterinary emergency hospital.

I don't plan on changing careers, but to volunteer my rescue diving skills to the community as needed. I think it would fall perfectly in with my personality, physique, skills, passions, and hobbies.

I would like a grant or other assistance in paying for training. On the personal side, I would get help in getting certified for the pleasure diving I hope to do, but in return, will pay back that help by helping others.

I am doing research on my own, but found this site on my way and thought I'd post. If anyone knows of a program, I'd love to hear about it. I found one program from the Women Divers Hall Of Fame, but am a male.