Fuel the freedom to

 

DIVE

 
Support adaptive divers today
You’re training for strength.
They’re diving for freedom.
Your donation helps adaptive divers overcome life-changing injuries and discover new depths - literally!
 

Join Our Crew of Changemakers

 

Dive Pirates Foundation empowers individuals with physical disabilities to experience the freedom of the ocean through adaptive scuba diving.  Your support funds training, gear, and trips that help recipients rediscover strength, courage, and connection beneath the waves. 

 

Your Impact at a Glance

 
Every donation helps adaptive divers break barriers, build confidence, and rediscover freedom beneath the waves. Here’s what your support makes possible:
 

155+ Adaptive Divers Trained

Empowering individuals with disabilities to experience the healing freedom of the ocean.
 

500+ Dive Buddies & Volunteers Engaged

Fostering a supportive, inclusive community of divers who lift each other up.
 

88% of Funds Go Directly to Programs

Maximizing your impact by investing in training, adaptive equipment, and support.
 

Thousands of Lives Touched

Creating ripple effects of hope, strength, and connection that last a lifetime.

“I absolutely love it. I was nervous at first—relying on others to help me in and out of the water and taking that first face-plant—but once I did, I couldn’t wait to get back in. Being underwater, free from my wheelchair, is peaceful, beautiful, and unlike anything else. As a peer counselor, I know how powerful it is to show others what’s possible. When someone like me can say, ‘I’ve done this,’ it changes everything.”

Jon SchuetzJon Schuetz

“It’s life-changing. I started to weep a couple of times. Looking at the joy and the pleasure, we were equals.

It did not matter whether we were missing an arm, a leg; we were equals.”
Brian DupreeBrian Dupree

“For guys like me in wheelchairs, this gives us the opportunity to grow, to push ourselves, and to amaze ourselves with things we never thought we could do.

Once you realize you can do it, it becomes another step up the ladder—moving closer to what feels like a normal life, or maybe even more than that.”
Scott PalominoScott Palomino

“I never imagined I’d be scuba diving as a quadriplegic. It felt a little awkward at first, but now, I’m in love with it.

I broke my neck in a motorcycle accident back in 1990. Coming that close to losing everything gives you a real zest for life. I’m determined to make the most of it, to try everything I can. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This experience has been truly inspiring.”
Mackie DavisMackie Davis

“With PTSD, it never stops, it runs and runs and runs, and when you get underwater, it slows down, all I hear is the bubbles, my breathing, and I am focusing on everything around me... It’s amazing!”

Marlene KrpataMarlene Krpata
 

We combine resources and communities with physically disabled people to celebrate life after injury through adaptive scuba diving.

 
DPF-CAT-Pirate Booty
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
What is adaptive scuba diving?Adaptive scuba diving is a way to make scuba accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. Using specialized equipment and techniques, adaptive divers experience the freedom of the underwater world, regardless of mobility challenges.
Who are the Dive Pirates?The Dive Pirates Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides adaptive scuba diving training, equipment, and trips for individuals with disabilities—primarily those with mobility impairments, including injured veterans and civilians.
Why is scuba diving helpful for people with disabilities?Scuba diving offers freedom of movement, emotional healing, and physical benefits. In the water, divers experience weightlessness, which can relieve pressure on joints, improve mental health, and boost confidence. For many, it’s life-changing.
Where does my donation go?88% of every dollar directly funds training, adaptive dive equipment, and life-changing experiences for recipients. Your support helps cover scuba instruction, travel for training, and specialized gear that makes diving safe and accessible.
Is Dive Pirates only for veterans?No—Dive Pirates serves both veterans and civilians with physical disabilities. We welcome anyone who meets medical and program criteria, helping them discover the freedom of adaptive scuba.
How much does it cost to fund one diver’s journey?On average, it costs about $3,000 per adaptive diver to cover training, equipment, and travel for the full experience. Your donation—big or small—makes a meaningful impact toward that goal.
Why should a member of Anytime Fitness care about adaptive diving?Just like Anytime Fitness supports personal growth and physical wellness, Dive Pirates helps individuals achieve strength, resilience, and freedom in a new environment. It’s about breaking barriers and pushing limits—together.
How can I donate or get involved?It’s easy to make a difference!  
 

People with amputations, spinal cord injuries and those with hearing loss or vision impairment are the most common candidates.

 
All medically qualified, physically disabled people can become a Dive Pirate, however, we focus on disabled military, law enforcement and first responder veterans who have sustained injuries in the line of duty with ongoing physical mobility issues.
 

"After my injury, I didn't think much was possible. After Dive Pirates, I know anything is possible."

 
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