Deaf/HoH divers and ASL signers

[Nam]

Hi Guys

Just read all your messages - it's heartwarming to see there are people enquiring if there are deaf or Hoh divers around. I myself would love to meet some.

I'm a deaf divemaster from England, however I am working on a diving and sailing liveaboard in Thailand. We are providing facilities for the deaf and Hoh on the boat as from personal experience - communication with instructors on dive briefs and courses has been quite hard - what with winds blowing, noises of the engine, people shouting here and fro. So, I decided to work with an instructor so that I can assist those who are deaf & Hoh.

I actually speak, lip-read and sign (BSL) and am looking to become a SeaSigns trainer. Diving is for everybody & so would love to teach everybody, both hearing, deaf and Hoh.

So if you're interested, please do e-mail me at naomi@worldwidediveandsail.com so we can have a chat!

:dazzler1:

 

[philipo]

I am a deaf diver, as I have indicated in other threads. I used to go to Rochester Institute of Technology where there's about 1,000 deaf students. But now, I attend Cal State Northridge (CSUN), and I have a hard time finding any deaf people who are willing to dive because of high costs of living here.

But I would love to meet anyone who's in South California area, and hopefully dive more often! =)


Phil

 

[kf6alc]

Well, I'm not deaf, but I studied sign language (Signing Exact English) back in HS many years ago, and still remember a little bit. I find it would be EXTREMELY useful underwater, but none of my dive buddies know it, so for me it's a moot point. Just wish more people knew this awesome way to communicate.

 

[JodiBB]

I'm not Deaf either, but I graduated with my Bachelor's Degree in Deaf Studies from CSUN and was an interpreter for 10 years for a university. Now I'm in another field, but still work with the Deaf population. I still interpret from time to time and have interpreted Scuba classes as well....

 

[andydiver06]

I heard that there are a few visually impaired divers. Thats really something. I admire the spirit of physically challenged divers. I have seen a guy who was paralized both legs on a drift dive and he was a much better diver than most of us.

 

[ScubaJW]

Welcome to Scubaboard, Phil. Glad to see another fellow deaf diver! I am a student at RIT and will be graduating with bs in biotechnology next May - - about time!!! I became certified in summer '03. It has been awesome since! Scubaboard is a perfect place to ask to to go diving with you. There are thousands of divers in California so you shouldn't worry!

 

[Scuba Jerm]

One of my best friends is deaf. He recently had a cochlear implant which has helped him over the years develop his speech recognition. I've been trying to get him certified for a while, I'm not sure I ever will but it would be so much better. He taught me all I know in sign language and I would frequently interpret for him... so diving with him would be great as we would be able to talk like we do on the surface.

My wife knows a little sign language but she has lost alot of her ability since she hasn't used it much. But when we dive together we can change our dive plan underwater pretty easy and communicate much more clearly than the average diver. ASL and diving seem to be a perfect match. Just wish my buddy was a diver!

 

[JodiBB]

My instructor used to know sign language (and still knows some) and when she realized I knew sign language, it made communicating as a new diver much easier. Now, I've buddied with her since on many trips and it's still just as easy to communicate more than the several dive signs.

 

[Missdirected]

I sent this link to a girl I was diving with the other day who is deaf. She reads lips - I think that is the neatest thing

 

[Deafdivers]

This is Brad. Im Deaf Instructor who living in san diego. If you happen to be in town. let me know. I could love to take you out for dives in San diego or Catalina Island. If you know anyone who interesting to take a scuba course then Please let me know! email me at Deafdivers@yahoo.com.
Please spray the words!