Blind friend wants to dive...

[Tigerman]

He'll need training, (as noted in some of the other posts), but being blind isn't a whole lot different than what a lot of us dive in on a regular basis.

This probably isn't something you want to do on a coral reef, but should be pretty exciting in a lake or quarry where the features aren't very dangerous or delicate.

With a good briefing, a blind diver could easily follow the bottom down to the edge of a wall, turn right, follow the wall to a big log resting on it, then follow the log down to my favorite logpile.

Since the vis generally ranges from bad to terrible, the blind diver would be on pretty much equal ground with his buddy.

Terry

Or even far BETTER, given the fact that a blind man is used to NOT depend on eyesight...

 

[HilaryRN71]

I would imagine that a blind diver would be best served with a FFM w/ commo gear. This would enable audio input from their dive buddy as to depth, pressure remaining, and so forth. Either way - not for open water. Confined water could be an interesting experience, but the dangers of open water exist for the seeing and are amplified for the blind.

Some sports/hobbies don't work real well without usable eyesight. Diving and shooting are two that come to mind.

There are dangers in confined water as well. I can recall a few over the past year alone, instructors as well as rebreather divers. There is danger in water...period.

Visually impaired have learned to adapt to their environment in ways that the sighted can not possibly understand. I would love to witness a blind person learning to dive...to see someone overcome these obstacles and accomplish something we take for granted.

 

[pir8]

ok my blind friend wants to dive i was wondering what special gear could he get so he knows how much air ect he has as he can read brail but a brail watch under watter isnt watter proof.. he wants to take the course after i told him i did it..

Without reading the entire thread(its getting Late) your friend can do a dive with an HSA instructor. He is trained to take a blind diver under.

 

[mislav]

I just Love ScubaBoard sarcasm...

I definitely don't. But, I'm a big fan of people with posts like this:

OK, I didn't read any of this thread, but for the OP, there are ways to dive with blind divers- with and without FFMs. It relies mostly on touch signals and protocol to lead them around. It is not impossible and some blind divers are quite good.
Story of a blind diver
Swimming with sharks

Nice point Bobbin-along- some people are more handicapped than others

Excellent info! I didn't think of FFM idea, but it gives so much more freedom to a blind diver and adds to the enjoyment of diving experience. If OP's blind friend can afford it, I believe it's the best way to go. I'm now sure no blind diver should be discouraged from diving in the open water. There'll be limits of course, but it can be done!

@Tigerman: thanks for posting that vid. Amazing.

 

[pir8]

He will have to pass the course of course.

 

[pir8]

Here is the link for HSA:
http://www.hsascuba.com/

 

[do it easy]

The HSA certification for disabled divers actually has 3 levels, depending on the diver's ability to rescue another diver. SDI's Scubality program has a similar tiered structure.

 

[Tigerman]

Btw, who is this Matt everyone is speaking about?
This Matt? http://www.scubaboard.com/member.php?u=28544

 

[EvaL]

Is your friend just legally blind or 100% blind? I don't see why a blind person can't get certified and can/should exercise the right to do so (I know of at least one blind person becoming an MD, a blind person making it to the top of Everest, a blind concert pianist and many more feats by the blind). My only concern is this diver's safety and not causing damage to marine life since the diver can't see.
I'm thinking since this diver can't read the depth gauge and time, he/she should probably wear a full face mask with a communication system, so a buddy can tell the diver the depth and other important information like N load, rate of ascent etc. I know Oceanic or another company has a Heads up disply (HUD) to display info on the mask, but I don't think they make one that converts the info into human voice (like some GPS systems for cars) for the blind diver.
Good luck to the diver, and my advice to this diver is be careful and you need are very, very attentive buddy.

 

[undrwater]

I'd say we've addressed this topic pretty well. Get your friend certified through an agency willing to do it, and get him on ScubaBoard so he can tell us of his experiences!