Leveling the playing field

[BuzzF117]

Maybe it's just me but scuba seems to level the playing field for people with certain physical impairments. Let me premise that statement by saying I am blind in one eye and have been for 20 yrs but it doesn't affect my diving I set up my gear so things aren't in my blind spot and I let my buddy know so he knows which side I will ALWAYS BE on.
I've seen divers who are wheelchair bound on the land flourish underwater and divers who are deaf prosper in our environment. Does anybody else have some awesome examples of this? There is just something about the weightless environment of water.

nuf said
Buzz

[WaScubaDude]

Originally Posted by BuzzF117

Maybe it's just me but scuba seems to level the playing field for people with certain physical impairments. Let me premise that statement by saying I am blind in one eye and have been for 20 yrs but it doesn't affect my diving I set up my gear so things aren't in my blind spot and I let my buddy know so he knows which side I will ALWAYS BE on.
I've seen divers who are wheelchair bound on the land flourish underwater and divers who are deaf prosper in our environment. Does anybody else have some awesome examples of this? There is just something about the weightless environment of water.

nuf said
Buzz

Not as awsome as yours, but I have back pain, and have for years. It is a huge relief to dive and get weightless. Stretch out and and finaly feel no pain.

[gibson1525]

when we went to montserrat the dive guide had had a blind couple the week before. that's right, completely blind! they held hands with the dive guide and he showed them around using hand signals and letting them feel the coral. pretty sure this isn't good for the coral but i thought it was neat story.

my question-if you're blind do you still wear a mask?

[WaScubaDude]

Originally Posted by gibson1525

when we went to montserrat the dive guide had had a blind couple the week before. that's right, completely blind! they held hands with the dive guide and he showed them around using hand signals and letting them feel the coral. pretty sure this isn't good for the coral but i thought it was neat story.

my question-if you're blind do you still wear a mask?

Very cool! Wouldn't it be great to hook blind divers up with communication equipment and have a good DM give "color commentary".
My hat goes off to blind divers, or divers with any disability. It is scary enough for non-impaired people to over come their fears and dive.

[lovesmexico615]

Originally Posted by gibson1525

my question-if you're blind do you still wear a mask?

Would think you would- otherwise I know I would try to breathe through my nose just out of habit...

[WaScubaDude]

Originally Posted by lovesmexico615

Would think you would- otherwise I know I would try to breathe through my nose just out of habit...

Could be cold in cold water diving as well.

[Mtrewyn]

I watched a very, very large (no fat) dad who was trying to find something that his daughter and he could do together, and she could keep up with him, I"m sure there were some other issues but this is about diving not psychology, and when they got in the water she swam circles around him I thought it was great, every time I saw them I had a hard time not giggling about it, he was so...cockey and sure that he was just too good for her to do anything as well as him, and to see him put in his place was great, I have not dove with them for some time I'm sure he is better now but I'll never forget the look on his face.

[quasimoto]

I am legally deaf. One thing that I like about diving is the fact that I am not at a disadvantage compared to others. I also have issues with my back at times and I know that after a couple of dives I will be a lot better. Beats the heck out of a $60-80 chiropractor bill.

[cshel]

Originally Posted by WaScubaDude

Very cool! Wouldn't it be great to hook blind divers up with communication equipment and have a good DM give "color commentary".
My hat goes off to blind divers, or divers with any disability. It is scary enough for non-impaired people to over come their fears and dive.

You gotta remember, with blind people, their entire world is dark. They are used to that. When a person with normal vision dives in bad viz - they are moving towards the blind person's world. We get freaked out from not being able to see something and then suddenly - there it is right in front of your face! They don't have that "BOO effect".

[scootermcfly]

I'm 37 and have had a total right hip replacement 3 years ago due to a running injury that i had about 9 years ago and I don't consider myself handicapped. I really like being able to float in the water and not have any pressure on my hip joints.

Scooter McFly