Health question from diver wannabe

[cudachaser]

I'm an HSAI Instructor...we deal with all sorts of disabilities...his doctors are the final say so on whether your husband can dive safely.

I would think he can dive safely by being very conservative with the dive tables...Mobility would be another issue. If he can rescue another diver would determine whether he would be a Level A or B thru HSAI. Level A is an open water diver, the same as with the other organizations. Level B (unable to perform rescues) would require a 3 person buddy team

My website: http://www.cbscubaodyssey.com

 

[mobster75]

Look for a Handicapped SCUBA Association Instructor in your area (or if you want to take a vacation look for one at your vacation destination). I am one in Orlando. We teach the blind,

Umm... I'm not trying to show my ignorance but how do you teach blind people to dive and be able to independently monitor their air, their depth, their compass heading and obstacles? Are there some nifty gadgets that convey that information tactically or audibly?

 

[H2Andy]

i believe they get certified for supervised dives only. they're not self-sufficient

 

[Louma]

No gadgets. It's a question of how dive buddies work with a blind diver. In HSA classes a non handicapped diver would learn to help a handicapped diver. For a blind diver there is a lot of tactile communication; the dive buddy also learns to escort his blind buddy. A blind diver would be listed as a Level B diver. This means the student has successfully challenged those HSA Physical Performance Standards that demonstrate their ability to safely SCUBA dive and solve basic personal emergencies. However, they are unable to successfully challenge those Performance Standards that demonstrate their ability to help another diver in distress.

A Level B diver is certified to SCUBA dive with two dive buddies who are certified Open Water A or above (HSA designation for a lesser handicapped diver or it could be divers with no disabilities at all). In case of an emergency, this system will provide an effective dive buddy for all members of the dive team.

Also, before people ask "Why would a blind person want to dive?" The answers are as varied as anyone else. The satisfaction of participation in an "elete" sport, Great stories to tell their land based friends, exoctic places to vacation, etc.

 

[cudachaser]

For Mobster75:

It's very difficult to teach a blind person to dive....all communication is tactile. A blind person cannot tell depth...could be 10 feet or 100 feet as long as the ears clear.

When my busy dive schedule clears...I plan to work with the University of South Florida Rehabilitation Engineering Dept in trying to develop innovative ways to get people with disabilities into the water safely

 

[ScubaDivaDivemaster]

From a Therapist's point of view...check with DAN, see the specialist and get in the water! There's no better therapy than in the water, as long as he can get clearances and meet the physical requirements of the cert course. Most of the color is in the more shallow zones anyway, so staying shallow isn't a "bad" thing, I prefer shallower dives many times because there's better color and lots of cool stuff to look at...

I helped a "differently-abled" friend get certified and we didn't go through HSA. Unfortunately we couldn't get any kind of response when we tried repeatedly to contact HSA, so we just went through our LDS with a great instructor and dive shop owner that helped us adapt the equipment to fit her needs. Excellent experience for me too. But adapting things for people is a big part of what I do as a therapist...

Good luck and Great diving! Really looking forward to hearing the outcome.

 

[laivindil]

I did some more research and found a very well known diving and hyperbaric specialist in the area (Seattle, WA), so we are going to go see him.

Since you're in WesternWA might I suggest Dr. Kay (unless he's the doc you found). Definatly call DAN though.

 

[caroayala]

Thanks again to all for the responses...

Yes, Dr. Kay is the Doctor we found!!! I am almost sure that my husband will get his ok to dive, but I want to hear it from him. As I said before, My hubby dove with me maybe 4 or 5 times to depths of 40-50 feet and had no problems. He's able to swim very well even though he can't flex his ankles, I guess he found his own technique so he wouldn't even need special or modified equipment.

I'll let you all know what Dr. Kay says!

THANKS AGAIN!