PADI Open Water Dive Course in Comox, BC
Soldier On will be co-hosting with the 19-Wing Pacific Divers Scuba Club (19WPDSC) a PADI open water dive course in Comox, BC. This is a week-long, local event (Oct. 25-29) for Soldier On members residing within 60 minutes of Comox, BC. Applicants selected to attend will complete an online PADI course and then complete the practical portion of the PADI certification at 19 Wing Comox, instructed by dive-masters’ from 19WPDSC.
Participants selected to attend must provide necessary medical authorization and commit to completing all online portions and mandatory attendance for all practical portions of the course.
Please note this event will be based at 19-Wing Comox, with travel provided to and from the open dive sites.
This activity will bring together both serving and retired ill/injured CAF members, allowing participants to connect through peer support and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle. The intent of this event is to create a safe and inclusive environment for Soldier On members residing in the Comox region to achieve their open water dive certification.
This event is open only to registered Soldier On members residing within the Comox, BC geographical area to mitigate risks of COVID-19 transmission. There is no cost for PADI courses to participants. Travel assistance is not provided for this event as it is in the Comox geographical area.
On the 25th to 29th of October, up to six Soldier On members from within one hour of the Comox / Courtenay region will undertake their full PADI Open Water Dive Certification. Participants will be required to provide a medically authorized PADI Diver Health Form and be available to attend all course sessions, as outlined in the event instructions. Assistance throughout the event will be provided courtesy of
19 Wing Pacific Divers Scuba Club and
19 Wing Comox.
The number of Soldier On participants is limited to six.
Minimum eligibility criteria
Any serving member or veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who live within 60 minutes of Comox, BC who acquired a permanent physical or mental health illness or injury while enrolled as a member of the CAF; whether attributable or not to service.
Participants must bring their own snacks and water bottles, and boxed lunches will be provided for each day of the course. All necessary scuba diving gear will be provided and participants must also bring appropriate daily kit (PT clothing, hygiene kit, towels.)
Serving Members
Medical clearance may be required by your chain of command.
Mental & Physical Requirements
- Participants interested in this event should possess basic swimming skills and be deemed medically fit for diving.
- Medical authorization will be required prior for selected participation.
- Participants should possess a base level of total body strength and be comfortable in aquatic environments.
- Participants must be able to tolerate seven or eight hours of moderate paced activities for five days in a row.
- Due to the busy activity schedule, applicants must have a limited requirement for rest throughout the day.
- Participants must also have access to internet and a computer to complete the mandatory e-learning PADI course content.
- Participants will be joined with other ill/injured members and civilians, and therefore should be able to function in a social environment.
- Participants are advised that portions of this event will be located at Canadian Armed Forces bases/facilities, and thus they may be exposed to a day-to-day military environment.
- Participants also acknowledge that there will be no alcohol allowed at the event.
COVID-19
Soldier On events are planned in accordance with municipal, provincial, territorial and federal public health measures (PHM) and regulations as well as the Canadian Armed Forces health policy and guidelines. The health and safety of Soldier On participants and staff, PSP staff, and CAF TG personnel are paramount. While specific safety precautions for each event will depend on the scope, scale and location of the event, the utmost care will be undertaken to ensure the risk associated with the spread of COVID-19 is very low.
Specific precautions, rules, regulations and observances will be communicated to selected participants for this specific camp in due course, but all applicants must be prepared to:
- Be familiar with, and adhere to current PHM regulations and guidance;
- Complete the respective provincial / territorial or federal government COVID-19 self-assessment tool before attending the event;
- Refrain from participating in a Soldier On event if they have tested positive for COVID-19, have come in contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19 and/or are experiencing symptoms of the virus;
- Practice physical distancing during activity, including the use of non-medical mask when appropriate;
- Follow all safety precautions provided by Soldier On and its sport service providers;
- Adhere to a stringent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and perform rigorous hand hygiene;
- Inform Soldier On immediately if you are not feeling well.
Soldier On, during the conduct of this activity, shall:
- Ensure that the event is conducted following the current PHM regulations and guidelines of the location in question;
- Ensure that all staff and participants are using PPE properly and following necessary protocols;
- Soldier On will cease the event if participants do not respect any of the health and safety protocols that are in place;
- Ensure PPE, hand sanitizer and disinfectant supplies are available and are being used;
- Continue to monitor the further provincial lifting of or changes in restrictions which may affect their operations;
- Track physical interactions (time/date/attendees/location) on physical activity log.
Confirmation details
The event OPI will confirm in writing with the participants selected for this activity. A joining instruction will be issued prior to event; ensuring applicants are authorized to participate IAW applicable policies & eligibility criteria.