Scuba Diver Defeats Unknown Depths of Hopelessness.

Read Time:11 Minute, 14 Second

By William Van Zyl,

First published June 2022. Edited in April 2025.

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“Swoosh”

The rusted cable and long pipe flashed briefly as it hurtled towards the experienced US Navy diver.

“Watch out!” he shouted as he looked up.

At the same time, he pushed and pulled the person next to him out of harm’s way.

“Rip!”

The cable and pipe whipped Carl Brashear’s feet out from under him. The long pipe, connected to a steel cable, came from nowhere and attacked him. With brute force, his left leg was sliced. It all happened at lightning speed, unexpectedly.

He fell face down on the deck. Warm red blood instantly stained the deck. The salvage operation, lifting bombs from the ocean, ended abruptly. Immediate medical attention was required. Brashear was in severe pain.

The person beside Carl is safe – saved by his quick action – looked on in shock. Carl acted selflessly. The pipe attached to the flying cable had sliced through the lower left leg of Brashear. A large gaping wound stared at him as he looked down at his leg.

“Aaarrgggh! Aaarrgghh!

Carl is convulsing, twisting, and turning under the excruciating pain. Both hands are clamping onto his lower leg. An artery has been severed. Blood is gushing from his leg.

“Help! Help me!”

———0———-

“I have bad news for you,” said the surgeon.

“We doubt if you will ever walk normally again. There have been complications. Your lower leg is badly infected. Gangrene could take it.”

———0————

The disappointed diver’s hopes are dashed. He wanted to become a Master Diver. However, he had to make a courageous call after a couple of days.

“Sir, I want you to amputate my lower leg?”

He is devastated. His lifelong goal was to become a Master Diver in the US Navy. His dream is over.

“Sorry, Carl, your career as a diver will be over if we amputate your leg,” said the surgeon with a note of sadness.

However, Carl Brashear is one determined young man. He nodded. “You have to amputate my leg,” he confirmed. He is bowed down but not defeated. He is sure about his decision.

———–0————

Date: June 6 1968

From: The US Navy Divers Unit

To: Carl Brashear

Dear Sir

Re: Full remuneration package for the remainder of your life as an amputee (Accident Compensation Act).

We are deeply sorry about the unforeseen accident on the salvage ship that occurred about a year ago. We regret to inform you that we are giving you an honourable discharge. As an amputee, you will not be able to serve in the US Navy. However, we are letting you go with full remuneration. Every month, for the remainder of your life, you will be compensated. Your salary will be adjusted every three years to reflect inflation, taking into account the increase in living costs. Our financial officer will be in touch with you shortly.

We will support you as much as possible with a prosthesis tailored to your needs. Our team of doctors, surgeons, physiotherapists, and specialists will look after you without incurring any additional costs.

We acknowledge the excellent service you have delivered to the United States Navy. You have been an asset to us. Thank you for your dedication and hard work over the years.

Your discharge is of immediate effect.

Yours sincerely,

Signed: Admiral John J. Seacrest (Chief Executive Officer of The US Navy).

———-0————

Carl Brashear is a resilient individual; he refuses to give up. He will not let go of his dream to become a Master Diver in the US Navy.

“Doctor Johnson, I have made a sketch of the prosthetic leg-flipper I want your team to design for me. Once you have completed the prototype, I will test it and make some recommendations.”

“But, Carl, we doubt you will be able to perform the stringent tests to qualify as a Master Diver. Sorry, we don’t think it is possible.”

“All things are possible if you only believe it!” said Brashear confidently.

“I refuse to resign, and I refuse to give up on my dream,” said a very adamant Carl.

The Doctor and the specialist shook their heads and walked away. How would an amputee pass the tests that able divers struggle to complete?

———0————

“Here is the concept design. I have sketched the leg-flipper,” said Carl as he handed the sketch to the prosthesis experts. They look at him in astonishment. Is he serious? Does he know what it will take to pass the Master Divers test?

“It will take a supernatural effort to pass those tests,” said the expert.

“If you create the best possible walking-leg – and flipper-compatible prosthesis for me, I believe I will be able to pass the diving test. I will move heaven and earth to prepare. And surely, I will be ready for that day,” said Carl as his determined eyes made contact with the prosthetic expert.

———0———–

On display is the unwavering determination of Carl Brashear. In the images, he is preparing for his Master Diver’s test. See the heavy dumbbells strapped to his back; he was determined to succeed. Credit: https://blackbeard-actual.tumblr.com/post/109981021720/feelingfroggyincorporated-master-chief-carl/amp

END OF THE INTRODUCTION (A TRUE STORY)

—–0—–

By the way, this is a true story. I have taken the facts and have created the fictional introduction. I have endeavoured to create it as close as possible to the actual events.

It really happened, and you will not believe the outcome. Carl Brashear prepared for his test by dedicating every minute of his waking day to it. When the day of the test arrived, he rose to the challenge. He completed the tests and became the first person with a disability to earn a Master Diver certification in the history of the US Navy. Remarkable!

———-0———-

That same leg, along with his diving gear, is on display at the Museum in the US. A testament to the sheer guts and determination of Carl Brashear. He refused to give up when life pitched him a curveball. He never expected that such a tragic accident would change his life forever. What a display of tenacity and resilience. He displayed an almost unattainable level of strength! Carl Brashear is an inspiration to us all. He demonstrated that solid faith and unwavering belief, combined with sheer determination, can make any dream a reality.

———-0——————

After watching the program Mysteries at the Museum on June 16, 2022, I took notes and prepared to write this article. The presenter referred to Brashear’s diving equipment and a prosthetic leg on display. Only the descriptions and dialogue of this story are fiction. I wrote it while imagining what happened throughout those events.

The fact that he lost his leg in a salvage operation, had his leg amputated, and passed the diving test is true. Please follow the link below to read the official summary of what happened. I wrote this article before doing in-depth research. I wanted to tell the story as I imagined it happened. His triumph over adversity is at the heart of this article. Carl so inspires me. God bless Carl Brashear!

I trust you have enjoyed reading this remarkable true story. It is so uplifting.

In conclusion, I quote one of my favourite verses.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4: 13

I have included a couple of pictures of Brashear.

*Carl Maxie Brashear (January 19, 1931 – July 25, 2006) was a United States Navy sailor. He was a master diver, rising to the position in 1970.*

Master Diver **Carl Brashear**, the Navy’s first African-American master diver, taught people worldwide that you can achieve your goals and be held accountable by your characteristics, not by your skin colour. Brashear joined the Navy in 1948. His unwavering determination to serve as a Navy diver paid off in 1954 when he was accepted and graduated from the diving program. In 1967, a year after an injury aboard the salvage ship USS Hoist (ARS 40) cost him his left leg, Brashear became the first Navy diver to be restored to full active duty as an amputee. He was the first African American to become a master diver in the Navy, a position he held from 1970 to 1979. Credit: https://blackbeard-actual.tumblr.com/post/109981021720/feelingfroggyincorporated-master-chief-carl/amp

*Academy Award* winner Cuba Gooding Jr. waves to fans while retired Master Chief Petty Officer Carl M. Brashear, the Navy’s first African-American master diver, looks on. Gooding plays Brashear in the movie “Men of Honour.” Released on November 10. Both attended the film’s Washington premiere in October 2021. Photo by Linda D. Kozaryn.

In a modern-day context, I include a video of a US war veteran who received a ‘fin-leg’ that assists him in swimming. Motherboard meets Kevin Vaughan, a 28-year-old veteran and amputee, as he tries his new amphibious water prosthetic. Called “The Fin,” a 3d printed prosthetic engineered for swimming, assists him in the water. Imagine the relatively primitive technology Brashear used to pass the stringent diving test in the 1970s, compared to today’s standards.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=hk3PLVxAO6c%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Link to the YouTube video (The Fin): https://youtu.be/hk3PLVxAO6c?si=bA4s3uz0z5wjobkc

Here is an interesting article. Credit Venkat.

*Credit article – 3D printed leg: https://assistivetechnologyblog.com/2018/08/the-fin-prosthetic-leg.html*

From the author’s sketchbook. See the progression in the flipper design for amputees (right to left: 2011 to 2017). The buoyancy of the flippers is critical. With the new technology available today, designers can consider the buoyancy of the flippers, the density, and the choice of 3d materials. They can experiment with the float required to simulate a typical human leg in the water. See the notes in the sketch of the YouTube video of Dan Lasko (The Fin) – a US soldier who lost his lower leg in an explosion in Afghanistan. He has completed 6 x marathons and 30 triathlons. Remarkable! Credit: W Van Zyl (19 June 2022).

In this life, we will get knocked down. However, we must get up as soon as possible and fight on.

I include a link to a video: How to Get Up When You’ve Been Knocked Down.

Link to the video:” https://youtu.be/3jqroOsd1nk?si=K3TFYqUdkOwUYE8x

FOR EDUCATORS AND TEACHERS: This article offers an interesting foundation for lessons on 3d printing and design. Here is the idea or concept.

For teachers: An idea for a set of lessons on 3-D printing and design. TinkerCad/SketchUp/and more.

This article provides an excellent prompt to introduce a lesson on 3d Printing and Design to students.
The movie ‘Men of Honour’ can be used to hook students. The movie includes the remarkable achievement of Carl Brashear as a Master Diver in the US Navy.
A link to Prince Harry’s work with amputees could also be included in the lesson. Here is a link to his involvement: The Invictus Games – https://invictusgamesfoundation.org/foundation/story/
The development of new technology, namely 3-D printing, has improved remarkably. From printing parts in space for repairs and maintenance to 3-D printing prostheses for animals who have lost a limb. Search YouTube to see a pioneering veterinarian in action: ‘The Supervet.’ I include a link to one of his many videos below.
Example of a Design Brief: In your groups (2 to 3 students). Collaborate and then design a prosthesis for a large dog (German Shepherd) – the right front leg has been amputated just below the ‘knee.’ Situation: You must assist the Supervet by providing three concepts or ideas, accompanied by sketches. Create a 3d-printed prototype leg for the dog.

Stainless steel legs for dogs – innovatively designed prosthesis by the Supervet, Noel Fitzpatrick. Watch the video below to see the great pioneering work he is doing. Question to students (lesson idea): How could 3-D printing be combined with stainless steel prostheses for dogs and cats? The teacher can provide a brief, including a situation, to the students. Collaborating in groups will be a good call.

Still image of Noel Fitzpatrick, the Supervet.

Link to the video on YouTube. The Supervet: Noel Fitzpatrick S16E02 – Full Episode 2021: https://youtu.be/6zoHUDlANSk?si=EYPPX7tMZsfd3ITK