Spectis Robotics were honoured to support paraplegic British Scuba diver Dan Metcalfe-Hall, aka WheelsDan, in his pursuits to achieve three new scuba diving Guinness World Records last month at Stoney Cove Dive Centre, Leicester.
The endurance challenge involved a 5km scuba dive swim, without surfacing, whilst achieving the following world record categories;
- Fastest one mile scuba diving in fresh open water with a swimming band to confirm no movement.
- Fastest one mile scuba diving in fresh open water MP2. MP2 stands for ‘Muscle Paralysis 2' and is Dan's disability category.
- Greatest distance scuba diving in fresh open water MP2.
The aim of the event wasn't just to achieve new World Records, but to raise money for three organisations, MAGPAS Air Ambulance, The Scuba Trust and Stoney Cove Dive Centre, and raise awareness of disability sport.
Business Development Manager, Glynn Chisholm, represented Spectis at the event: “The atmosphere was electric with a great turn out to encourage Dan in his record attempts. Dan is nothing short of inspirational and on hearing of his goal we were more than happy to support him.”
Specialising in high-end inspection solutions, Spectis Robotics followed Dan’s underwater journey using their Pivot ROV, capturing footage which formed part of the evidence portfolio which has now been presented to the Guinness World Records Management Team for their review.
Dan, a qualified assistant scuba instructor, lost the use of his lower body in a motorcycle accident in 2014. This was compounded four years later while he was competing in a 600-mile charity hand-cycling ride. A car hit him resulting in a serious neck-compression injury and reduced muscle strength in one shoulder. Dan gives credit to the Scuba diving community and for the major role it played in his rehabilitation, providing ‘a big release from being in a wheelchair’.
Dan covered a total distance of 5,246m (17,211ft) in a phenomenal 5 hours 32 mins, and now awaits confirmation of his new world record titles.
To learn more about Dan’s inspirational journey, take a look at his JustGiving page. https://lnkd.in/dhG6VNZm