Milestones

Major milestones leading to November 14, 2006, when history was made...

This page just scratches the surface. Below are select highlights of Matt's diving activities and major milestones reached leading up to the pioneering and history making openwater dive by Matt on November 15, 2006.

November 14, 2006
Matt made diving history, becoming the first in his condition to complete two open water dives in the warm waters off the Florida Keys! Cumulative dive time for the day was 25 minutes at a depth of 5 feet.

Oct 19, 2006
Matt completed a successful training session at the Maple Grove Going Under Dive Center pool. The dive was for 33 minutes. Final changes were made to equipment and techniques in preparation for the upcoming Florida trip.

June 18, 2006
Matt attended DUI's DOG Rally and Demo Days, in Wazee Lake in Black River Falls, WI. He completed his first ground breaking open water dive. He was underwater a of total dive time 15 minutes at a depth of 6 feet.

March 2006
Dive instructors Michael Lombardi and Drew Gerling teamed up with Sean Harrison at Scuba Diving International to recognize Matt with Scubility certification # 1.

January 27, 2006
Matt finally spent a consecutive hour underwater after working for months getting to this point. After this dive, his total logged dive time is 280 minutes!

December 30, 2005
This pool dive, Reached 50 minutes at a max depth of 5 feet underwater using an underwater communication system donated by Ocean Reef. These communications are critical to the project advancing to establish safety protocols.

November 3, 2005
Matt spent 45 consecutive minutes underwater, with 10 of those lying face down. Matt has also reached a depth of 5 feet in the pool.

October 20, 2005
Matt spent 35 consecutive minutes underwater pushed his depth to about 5 feet, realizing the maximum delivery capabilities of his ventilator. Matt was also safely rolled onto his stomach underwater and was able to dive face-down for a few minutes.

October 6, 2005
Matt spent 17 consecutive minutes underwater.

September 16, 2005
September 16 was a major breakthrough day for Matt. He spent more than 5 consecutive minutes underwater with his surface-supplied vent hose and his fullface mask to supplement breathing.

August 5, 2005
Matt again extends his time underwater, to 45 seconds. Matt was also able to achieve a vertical posture in the water with the help of a carefully balanced weight and trim system.

July 14, 2005
Matt extends his underwater experiences to almost half a minute. Matt utilized an Ocean Reef full face mask with supplemental air supplied from the surface, a surface based ventilator affixed to his custom DUI drysuit.

July 1, 2005
Using a full face mask, Matt is briefly submerged, taking his firsts breaths underwater. The pressure delivery limitations of the ventilator are discussed with medical advisors.

June 9, 2005
Matt returned to the water for the first time in nearly ten years for water therapy session to reacclimate to being immersed in the water. This was made possible by DUI Drysuits custom developing a drysuit for Matt that allowed his trach tube to stay dry.

April 2005
The folks at DUI have completed construction of, and donated a custom drysuit to Matt which integrates a watertight fitting through the suit, allowing for a connection to Matt's trach tube. This will allow Matt to get in the water!

February 2005
Matt is diligently working with his doctors and medical advisors to get final approval for water therapy. This critical step will help Matt get re-acclimated to the water, and help identify any complications associated with the next step...going underwater!

December 2004
Matt teams up with Michael Lombardi and Ocean Opportunity, leading to the development of 'Diving a Dream' and the birth of a successful fundraising, sponsorship, and public relations campaign.

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