"Second Breath" - diving rehabilitation for military with PTSD

Public Union "Ukrainian Institute of Underwater Research"

( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088773812498 ) was created in 2022 by caring Ukrainians who dedicated a significant part of their lives to diving and understand its positive impact on human psychological and physiological condition, which has been repeatedly proven by various global medical studies.

The main idea and direction of the union's work - using the knowledge and experience of its members - to help people with disabilities, military personnel after injuries or during rotations, as well as civilians who suffered consequences from severe stressful situations (PTSD), normalize their psychological and physiological health, fully return to normal life.

Union members (active diving instructors) in 2023 were the only ones in Ukraine to receive additional training from the founders of the International Association of Handicapped Divers (IAHD, headquarters in the Netherlands), who have over 30 years of experience in rehabilitation for military, firefighters and veterans of other emergency services, as well as people with disabilities worldwide, who get the opportunity after completing these rehabilitation courses to return to full life.

Union instructors currently have significant experience conducting similar unique programs in Ukraine (some highlighted via social media links), namely rehabilitation programs for military with amputated limbs, military from various units who after recovery from injuries needed psychological and deeper physiological restoration, work with women and children from IDP families forced to leave occupied territories, etc. Similar programs in Ukraine are conducted only by instructors of PU "Ukrainian Institute of Underwater Research".

Much work is done on volunteer basis, but this activity has certain expenses we cannot always resolve independently. The most common and urgent problem now is rehabilitation of military and civilians who experienced significant stress and have PTSD. More people, military units and special forces turn to us for help conducting "Second Breath" programs for their fighters. Unfortunately, many try to overcome PTSD with alcohol, drugs, or medication. But such methods don't work and harm health. This leads to deeper stress, work problems, inability to perform duties and family issues. Given Ukraine's extremely difficult time, such problems are increasing. We have no moral right to remain indifferent to our defenders' and citizens' problems!

Work on restoring our fighters', veterans' and civilians' physiological and psychological condition is the foundation of future healthy society.

Therefore we ask caring people to join fundraising for part of our ongoing project.