Blind friend wants to dive...

[haha49]

Well I'm going to be a little politically incorrect here.
Just what is a blind diver going to get out out of a dive?
One of the basic rules is not to touch.
Without touch & without sight swimming around in a pool is no different from swimming over a beautiful reef.
A blind diver will always be totally dependent on a buddy unless equipped with some electronics / mechanics to translate depth, ascent rate and remaining air into some sort of acoustical / tactile output.

hes blind to the point were he cant read a gage but not everyone that is blind is totaly blind most blind people can see things close up or at least see somethings like shadows he can see me if i move he can see enoff to play some vidio games it just takes him alot more efforet to do so..

 

[RS]

I didn't read the whole thread, but am guessing that your friend wants to dive for a good reason. Did he ever say why? Something like "because it's there"?

In any case, good for him!

 

[H2Andy]

Something like "because it's there"?

hey, that's the best reason there is

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I didn't read the whole thread, but am guessing that your friend wants to dive for a good reason. Did he ever say why? Something like "because it's there"?

In any case, good for him!

I frequently tell my wife that that is in fact my reason. "Why do you keep diving in that quarry?" Because it's there! "Why dive into that frigid Lake Michigan water just to dive down 80 feet to see some old shipwreck?" Because it's there!!!!

I can think of no better reason. It's the innate drive to discover, to experience.

 

[Wolfie2012]

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!

Agree with that!

 

[plot]

ears can measure depth and if someone made a guage that beeped so many times for how much air he had left... a blind diver could probably give it a go.

Plenty of people dive in zero vis. for one reason or another. Met one guy that did it to find ancient shark teeth or something... so I'm sure bouyancy control and everything else can be taught.

 

[boulderjohn]

Some people seem to be assuming that a blind diver will have to do everything that a non-handicapped diver will do, only blind. For example, people suggest that they will be dependent upon their buddies.

Well, of course they will. That's understood from the start, and a blind diver's buddy will go into the dive fully understanding the responsibilities.

Here in Colorado we are used to sharing the slopes with handicapped skiers, including blind skiers. Blind skiers have guides who ski with them, usually with a leash of some sort. They look like they are having a wonderful time to me. Their guides are trained at what they do, and they do a great job. You ought to be here when they race to see how well a blind skier can do in a sport that most people would assume requires sight.

If you go to the Winter Park ski area, you will see people with all sorts of handicaps enjoying the thrill of skiing. Yes, they need special equipment, and they need extra help.

So what?

If they can get the special training, the special equipment, and the qualified support, why not?

And why would diving be any different?

 

[MsParamedic]

I am an instructor if IAHD (International Association of Handicap Divers)--and yes those with sight disabilities (including totally blind) do dive! And very well I may add! The dive with a buddy that acts as a guide. The diver places there hand on top of the guides hand and hand signals are used throughout the dive.

While admittedly I haven't read the total thread---I was rather taken back by those that were less than encouraging.

I say congratulations to EVERYONE that wants to dive!

Pat

 

[Diving Doc]

I am an instructor if IAHD (International Association of Handicap Divers)--and yes those with sight disabilities (including totally blind) do dive! And very well I may add! The dive with a buddy that acts as a guide. The diver places there hand on top of the guides hand and hand signals are used throughout the dive.

While admittedly I haven't read the total thread---I was rather taken back by those that were less than encouraging.

I say congratulations to EVERYONE that wants to dive!

Pat

Totally agree. If you went by the logic that some people have, blind people should sit at home and do nothing!!

 

[pir8]

Same with HSA