Blind Divers

Just got to wondering, does anyone know of blind people who dive? It occured to me as I was thinking about how peaceful and relaxed I feel in a lights out or zero viz situation... you do not have to be sighted to enjoy cave diving. Actually, whether it is the additional 'task loading' or whatever, zero viz dispels the little gremlin that tells me how far it is to exit.
I have also found that under adverse situations once a dive is turned that I can accept any situation... logic being.. I have turned, I am heading out, there is nothing more to I can do, I either have the resources to get there or not.. but that is where I am headed... panic at this point is futile and counter productive.
Just random thoughts... any opinions?

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Originally Posted by Boru

you do not have to be sighted to enjoy cave diving.

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Although a blind person could enjoy the weightlessness, I don't see why a swimming pool wouldn't be just as good.

My boss taught a blind person with no legs (Vietnam vet) to dive in the 1970s.

There are organizations that work with disabled divers and who promote diving in that community.

Weightless in a pool sounds good at first blush, but from a tactile perspective it's pretty boring - well maybe not, depending on who is in the pool. Aside from that, the things that can be felt in OW are much more varied and interesting, from thermoclines to surface texture to variosu flora and fauna. It just isn't the same as diving with a pool even for someone who is blind.

There are also varying degrees of vision loss and blindness, so assuming a blind person just sees the world in basic black is a little simplistic.

On the other hand, touching the cave is generally regarded as a faux pas so I don't see a great deal of future in blind cave diving.

The Wounded Warrior Program and SUDS, as well as Handicap Scuba (I am sure there are others) do some amazing work with handicap divers. I worked with the Wounded Warrior Program in NJ and while overhead is not an option, the adaptaion for any disability, or multiple ones, is amazing.

These guys never waiver, nervous or not, and more than one had a grin so big they took in some water. My most challenging moment was trying to weight a diver who had lost an arm and leg on opposite sides of his body and getting him moving forward in the water. The most rewarding was every one.

If you get the chance, work with one of these programs and if you have the means, support one.

HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association) does a lot of work with disabled people, a blind person is usually taught with a special buddy that is trained for that specific purpose.

http://www.hsascuba.com/

No, I do not see any future blind cave divers since that is not the true purpose of their programs...

It is definitely rewarding and just amazing what these guys (and gals) can accomplish.

Dive safe,

Celia

I've taught a few blind people while working at Space Camp in Huntsville, AL. The first blind person I ever taught was a young man named Lorenzo, from Liberia. It was a very enriching experience. So much so, that I have to say he taught me way more than I taught him.

I've also taught deaf people to dive. When they get underwater, their conversations keep right on going. I was definitely the one at a disadvantage!

Other special needs students have included a young man with autism, and another young guy with cerebral palsy. The autistic person had a bit of trouble with some of the classroom stuff, but overall he did great. When the person with CP got in the pool, it was as if he'd been magically unchained. The saddest thing was to take him out of the water that night.

Max
DSAT 198186

http://wins.failblog.org/2011/10/05/epic-win-photos-completely-relevant-news-scuba-win/