Soldiers Undertaking
Disabled Scuba (SUDS)

Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS), located at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, helps improve the lives of injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The majority of the soldiers going through the program have received severe injuries. Those who are not able to perform all the skills required for Open Water Diver certification have the chance to learn their scuba certification with a Scubility™ certified scuba instructor.

By training the soldiers in the challenging and rewarding sport of scuba diving, SUDS volunteers help to facilitate the rehabilitation process and promote mobility. It also provides the soldier with the skills for an activity that they can enjoy throughout their life.

Classes begin every few weeks with a maximum of six soldiers per class. After completing the classroom study and confined water skill sessions at Walter Reed, the soldiers are taken on a dive trip to complete their open water training dives.

The founder of SUDS, John Thompson, states, “Water the great equalizer. Many things are just easier to do in the water with these type of injuries. It’s part rehabilitation, part confidence building, and part adventure for these wounded warriors. I’m really inspired by these soldiers.” Larry Hammonds, ASC’s assistant manager and a master instructor for over 15 years, has recently been appointed as the coordinator for scuba training for the SUDS program at Walter Reed.

SUDS is a non-profit organization and a chapter of the Wounded Warrior/Disabled Sports Project. It operates totally on the donations of generous individuals and the corporate world. More information about the program can be found atsudsdiving.org.

Adventure Scuba Company a proud to a supporter of the SUDS diving program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.