Frequently Asked Questions

 

What services do you provide?

Immersion Therapy™ is an innovative service for people living with disabilities and injuries. It provides the opportunity to move in a near weightless environment underwater using SCUBA equipment in a swimming pool ranging from 1 to 2 meters in depth, giving participants the chance to experience movements that might otherwise be impossible, participants typically experience enhanced physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing.

 

When and where do you operate?

We are currently at:

Adelaide Aquatic Centre
Jeffcott St, North Adelaide, SA
Monday to Friday 10am-3pm

Other locations please contact us to find out.

 

What is involved in a Meet and Greet?

A Meet and Greet is a one-on-one session to see if the Immersion Therapy service is right for you. This is a dry session and will not involve in­water activity on the day.

 

What kind of benefits might I receive from participating in Immersion Therapy?

• Improved mobility
• Muscle conditioning
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Decreased pain medication
• Improved social skills
• General increases in overall wellbeing

 

How much does Immersion Therapy cost?

Our Fee Schedule is available on our website under ‘Terms and Conditions’ or you can contact us for a copy admin@determined2.com.au.

 

How do I access funding?

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS):
We are a registered NDIS provider (Provider number 4050009088), and can provide
services to all NDIS participants with funding for the following categories:

• 09_008_0116_6_3 – Capacity Building­Increased Social and Community
  Participation (Support Category 3.09)
• 15_048_0128_1_3 – Capacity Building­Improved Daily Living Skills
  (Support Category 3.15)

Return to Work SA (RTWSA/WorkCover):
We are a registered RTWSA provider (Provider number 0028114). We can provide
services to anyone with a workplace injury who has an accepted claim.

Other forms of funding
For example:

• Lifetime Support Authority (LSA)
• Compulsory Third Party (CTP)
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
• Self­funded by participant

We can provide a support letter, which would include information about your physical,
psychological and social goals, to help you request funding for Immersion Therapy. Please
contact us to discuss how we can assist you.

 

What if I don’t live in Adelaide?

We provide service to people all over Australia, contact us to discuss your travel requirements.

 

What are the medical restrictions to participate?

Before you can participate in Immersion Therapy you will be required to undergo a Medical Assessment. The Medical Assessment certifies you as medically fit to participate in Immersion Therapy. This will be booked at your Meet and Greet session with one of our approved doctors.

 

Can my friend or carer join me in the water?

A friend, family member or carer can join you in the water for an initial session on the condition that they do not interfere with any individual’s session. The additional member will not be permitted to use SCUBA equipment but can use a snorkel..

 

How do I add Immersion Therapy to my NDIS plan?

We can provide a support letter, which would include information about your physical, psychological and social goals, to help you request funding for Immersion Therapy. Please contact us to discuss how we can assist you.

 

What is the minimum/maximum age?

We do not offer the use of SCUBA equipment to children under the age of 10. We can include children under 10 without the equipment There are no maximum age restrictions.

 

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. One of the great benefits of Immersion Therapy is the ability to breathe underwater using the SCUBA equipment. The goal is to experience a weightless environment where swimming is not required but is an individual choice. Some level of competence in the water is required as we do not teach swimming.
However, that competence can be built and explored at the individual’s pace.

 

How long are the sessions?

Our sessions are booked for 1-hour (6O-minute) blocks. This allows for 45 minutes of in-water activity and 15 minutes for out-of-water engagement. Please allow extra time for getting changed and getting in and out of the water. The time this takes varies between individuals, depending on their needs.

 

How can I get in/out of the water?

We have a range of options directly at the pool edge, including self-entry, a manual chair lifter and an electronic hoist that attaches to a chair or sling-lift. All our staff are fully trained in how to use this equipment correctly and safely. Most of all, we want to hear about what works best for you. Please check the available entry/exit options at your desired location with your Immersion Therapy Provider.

 

How much notice do I need to give to book or change a session?

You must notify us 48 hours prior to your session.

 

How many sessions can I attend?

You can attend as many sessions as your current funding allows. We will discuss this with you throughout the process.

 

What temperature is the water?

The swimming pool is heated and is maintained at approximately 28°C. We provide the option of Lava Core thermal wear for additional warmth.

 

What do I wear? / What do I need to bring? 

We recommend wearing shorts, leggings or long pants over bathers to ensure comfort with the equipment that you will wear. A blue top is provided upon arrival, which all participants must wear in the water, and the option of a thermal Lava Core top is given for extra warmth in the water. The blue top and Lava Core (if you choose to wear one) must be handed back to a staff member at the conclusion of the session. You are not required to bring anything but yourself, your bathers, a towel and a support person (if needed) to your session. What else you bring is entirely dependent on your individual wants and needs.

 

Where can I get changed?

The facilities at our service location have public changerooms available as well as standard ambulant and access changerooms. The Adelaide Aquatic Centre also has a fully accessible adult-sized change table and ceiling-hoist systems. More information can be found here: http://adelaideaquaticcentre.com.au/discover/access-and-inclusion/

 

Can I go SCUBA diving after doing an Immersion Therapy session?

No. Immersion Therapy does not teach participants to SCUBA dive. We only use the SCUBA equipment to provide a weightless environment that allows freedom of movement in the water. Our medical clearance is only for the Immersion Therapy program and does not grant you fitness to SCUBA dive.

 

I have a diving certificate.
Do I need to go through the same process for Immersion Therapy as everyone else?

Yes. The process is the same for everyone. You will need to complete our Medical Assessment before doing Immersion Therapy, regardless of previous experience.

 

I am a person with high needs, can I still participate in the service?

Yes. Our service is designed to include all types of injuries or disabilities and is available to everyone regardless of physical ability. We will work with you (and your support person, if needed) to work out the best way for you, the individual, to discover your journey.

 

Do you provide personal care?

No. if you require assistance in changing or making transfers, you should be accompanied by a support person.