Deaf/HoH divers and ASL signers

[eiresorpio]

Interesting topic especially with me being deaf instructor and all. I did a bit of research in this area so that I would be better prepared should a student with a CI come up and enquire abt diving.

Here is a link i've found re: scuba diving with CI

http://www.listen-up.org/ci/ci-myths.htm#scuba

Recently I've set up a website for deaf divers, feel free to check it out at

http://www.deafdivers.co.uk

Happy diving!

 

[ScubaJW]

bluesbro1982-

I have a CI for 12+ years and I scuba dive since 2004. Of course, I have my doctor's approval of wrether to get certified or not. My deepest dive is 101 feet deep so far without any problems. I strongly recommend your friend to get the doctor's approval (that did the surgery). If you need to talk/discuss this further, then you are more than welcome to PM me and I will try to help you out! Good luck to your friend!

 

[CommunicationDiver]

PADI MSDT scuba instructor and ASL interpreter here...check out my website, http://www.communicationdiver.com to learn more about me...

 

[micks]

Hi Guys,

I'm a AOW diver here and Deaf as well.. I'm also an ASL professor. Anytime you guys need a dive buddy or want to pick up on some sign language, send me a PM.

Michelle

 

[JodiBB]

Michelle, let us know when you come out to California!! Maybe we could meet and dive!

 

[Sunset_Diver]

Hey Scuba_Signer and all the other Deaf/HOH divers !

I’m fairly new to this board and haven’t used it for a while. My boyfriend (SimcoeDiver here for 4 yrs) came across this thread. So we are happy that we can finally interact with other Deaf/HOH divers. We are both Deaf and into diving. And SIGN !

SimcoeDiver has OW (’02) and AOW (’03) certs. I have OW cert from last year and am taking AOW soon. We both are currently taking an IANTD Nitrox course.

Seems we are the only Deaf divers that we know of in the Toronto area (Ontario, Canada). There have been others but they have fallen out some years ago.

This year we are looking forward to diving most of the summer in the Kingston / Prince Edward County area, east of Toronto where the St. Lawrence River is. There are thousands of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes – lots of history there. Last year we dove on some of the shipwrecks in Georgian Bay and the St. Lawrence River.

We think it would be fun to dive with other Deaf/HOH buddies. Let us know if anyone is interested in diving with us - those who live along the American or Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River, or any other place. We would like to hear from you ! Deaf divers are so few and far apart !

 

[AmyJ]

Wow, just came across this thread. I am not deaf or HH, but am a licensed interpreter. My husband and I sign underwater all the time. Our daughter is deaf so we sign ALL the time at home. Last in Cozumel... as we were getting ready to jump in the divemaster says... "OH... by the way.. I want to inform EVERYONE that these two do sign language underwater, so don't think they're in a panic when their hands start flying around!!" We both laughed.

On the other hand... am I the only one who has a hard time remembering some of the 'scuba' signs underwater? I've only every dove with my DH and we just sign what we mean.... and as someone mentioned... the numbers for air.... what the heck???? it makes no sense to me.... I just sign ASL numbers... clear and easy... I think everyone should learn them.

Anyway... nice to meet you all.

 

[JodiBB]

Amy, I can appreciate your "forgetting" the actual scuba signs, especially when you and your permanent buddy is ASL fluent too!!!

I, on the other hand, have to remember the scuba signs because I don't have a D/HH buddy to dive with. However, I usually have to be reminded when discussing the dive plan because I have the tendency to use ASL numbers as well....

 

[CommunicationDiver]

I would really like for the whole "how much air do you have left" to be done with ASL numbers. It would be so much easier.

Except that the ASL sign for "6" looks like how most people sign "3" ... so signing that you have 1600 psi left in your tank in ASL would look like a shaking 3 followed by the letter "C" representing hundred.

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

I just stumbled on to this thread.

I am hearing, but at one time I taught beginning Sign Language and did some work as an Interpreter. I don't understand why some basic sign language isn't taught in OWI classes (well actually I do understand, but still think it should be). I would love it if I had a buddy who knew sign language!