Program Description

The SUDS Diving program is run by President John W. Thompson & Training Director Larry Hammonds. They hold dive instructor ratings with SDI, NAUI, HSA, PADI and approximately 40 years of teaching experience combined.

• We offer scuba certification programs through SDI. The majority of the service members we train have received severe injuries.
• Service members who are not able to perform a skill to SDI open water standards are offered the chance to earn their scuba certification with a Scubility™ certified scuba instructor.
• We teach the adaptive scuba program on Thursday afternoons starting at 1500 in the aquatic therapy pool (3rd floor) of Walter Reed.
• We use SDI's online training system at www.sdi-onlinetraining.com to allow divers to learn at their own pace.
  The Walter Reed program is for OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) & OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) service members under "PT" physical therapy & "OT" occupational therapy care.
• Outside assistance for scuba certification may be available for medically discharged combat injured veterans.
• Our dive instructors are American Red Cross volunteers & former or active duty military.

"It's the most rewarding project I have ever been involved in," Thompson said. Thompson calls 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, part adventure for these wounded warriors. I'm really inspired by the injured veterans at Walter Reed," Thompson said.

Important Documents

SUDS Guiding Principles

SUDS 2009 990

DSUSA Letter to IRS identifying SUDS as "Subordinate Unit"

IRS Determination Letter to DSUSA

SUDS IRS Status Letter

DSUSA - SUDS Letter of Good Standing