Dive4Vets Foundation

Underwater, external noise drops away and breathing becomes intentional — Dive4Vets exists so veterans who served can access that rare, restorative calm without worrying about the cost.

Dive4Vets Foundation is a Fort Lauderdale-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that removes financial barriers so combat-affected veterans can access the proven therapeutic benefits of structured scuba training — at no charge. Founded by USMC Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) Kary McNeal, whose own diving experience demonstrated how the underwater environment can quiet chronic stress and rebuild confidence, the organization serves veterans across all branches, theaters of operation, and years of service who hold a VA disability rating of 10% or higher and have completed a combat tour. Classroom instruction is held at Aquatic Ventures in Fort Lauderdale, pool sessions rotate by class size, and open water training dives take place at Perry Street in Dania Beach. A beach-access chair is on hand for adaptive divers, and dive boats are used when appropriate. Classes are capped at six veterans to ensure safety and individualized attention, with one-on-one instruction available when needed. All required eLearning, professional instruction, and rental equipment are provided — participants need only bring a swimsuit, a towel, and willingness to get in the water. Training follows Scuba Diving International (SDI) standards and culminates in an Open Water Diver certification over roughly three days, though sessions need not be consecutive. Veterans whose disabilities prevent full certification may earn the SDI Scubility Diver rating, which recognizes their training and supports supervised open-water diving. Family members are welcome at a reduced rate for Open Water enrollment. The program's certified adaptive dive buddies and team of veteran instructors — including Army vet and Open Water Instructor Ezzeldin Hegazy and paraplegic Master Diver Evan Graver — reflect Dive4Vets' core focus on abilities over limitations.

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