Scuba Geek

Further Progress made on Matthew Johnstons Quest to Scuba Dive February 28, 2006

Posted by Andy Carroll in : general , trackback

Matthew Johnston is a bit of a hero of mine. In a recent Yorkshire Divers discussion he announced his latest article from the MDA ‘Quest’ website. Matthew aims to go scuba diving in the sea. This wouldn’t be such a big deal for many people until you realise that Matthew has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and relies on 24-hour ventilator assistance. He had a trach inserted 11 years ago, he�s used a power wheelchair for 20 years, and he has movement only in his thumbs. Incredibly, Matthew discusses his dream on many scuba diving forums, and edits his own website.

He�s had seven dives that lasted over 30 minutes, with the longest at 60 minutes, and he�s reached a maximum depth of 6 feet with his current equipment. In a practice dive in January, he remained under water at 6 feet for 60 minutes. So far, he�s logged 280 minutes in practice dives.

At each practice dive, Johnston�s nurse, Sara Freking, and two professional divers assist. Freking stays above water to monitor the ventilator as it floats on the surface in a sealed, 9-gallon plastic container. She also monitors the ventilator connection that runs through Johnston�s drysuit, while the two divers accompany him under water.

Before each dive, Johnston is transferred into a manual wheelchair that goes into the water. Since he can�t move his arms or legs, he depends on the vent, drysuit and diving buddies for survival.

What must seem like a very straightforward task to most scuba divers represents a phenomenal effort by Matthew and his dedicated team of scientists, medical staff, and dive buddies. Matthew aims to go scuba diving in the Bahamas in the summer of this year, and will be using newly developed equipment specifically designed for the task.

Why is Matthew so keen to get underwater? Well, he says;

Johnston believes that his will and determination to achieve his scuba diving dream also will enable him to �make a difference in the world by helping to create better technology and making diving safer for everyone.

�I want to help open the door for other people with similar problems,� he explained. �There are a lot of people on vents, and they can�t handle it so they give up. I want to give people hope and encourage people to not give up on their dreams.�

Matthew needs donations to keep his dream alive. If you would like to help then visit www.scubadivingdream.com or www.divingadream.org.