Support Kim's Dive Back into Life

Kim did what so many of us dream of doing: she quit her job and moved to an island to pursue her passion of scuba diving. It was rough in the beginning - navigating different societal norms, learning to speak the language, gaining trust of the locals, and working odd jobs until she built up enough business to dive full-time. Over the last 14 years, Kim has certified hundreds of new divers, coached the enthusiastic and anxious and helped many others obtain advanced training certifications while creating memories with friends and clients and sharing her passion for exploring and protecting the precious underwater world.

Not long after starting her new life on the island, Kim found out that she was part of the ~25% of the population who have a PFO. Everyone is born with an opening in their heart that allows blood to bypass the lungs. For about 75% of the population, that hole closes. For 25% of the population, the hole remains open, called a Patent Foramen Oval (PFO). Many of those never know that they have it and lead long lives. However, for those who scuba dive, a PFO can be life-threatening.

Kim knew she would eventually need to have her PFO surgically corrected, but the survival mode of starting a new life was all-consuming. Under the supervision of her hyperbaric medicine doctor, she was able to reduce her risk by diving conservatively,* but over time, the impact on her overall health couldn’t be ignored. Close friends noticed a dramatic drop in her energy in the last year.

In March of this year, Kim underwent extensive cardiac imaging which revealed her PFO to be 30mm – larger than a US quarter. Her cardiologist and her hyperbaric medicine physician both advised her to immediately stop diving and have the corrective surgery as soon as possible. Due to the size of the PFO, surgery was necessary not only to return to diving but for Kim’s overall health. Her risk of stroke was extreme, and waiting for surgery was no longer an option.

Kim’s medical insurance declined to cover the procedure, and the cost was more than double what was anticipated. The procedure went very well, but Kim has been unable to work for 3 months while she heals. The debt is crippling.

In September 2023, Kim lead a group of 50 divers on a trip to Fiji. Our group of primarily Kim’s long-term clients and friends raised $8,600 to help pay for Kim’s surgery – an amazing start but still a little less than 50% of the overall cost.

We are looking to raise an additional $10,000 to alleviate Kim’s medical debt and help her get back to doing what she does best: championing ocean conservation and sharing the wonders of ocean life with the rest of us for many many more years to come.

Any amount helps, and we appreciate your generosity.

*Note: Diving with certain medical conditions is risky. Please see your doctor - or a physician trained in dive medicine - if you suspect you have a PFO or any other medical condition that could become life threatening while diving.