Deaf Scuba Divers

[eiresorpio]

Heya,

Just thought I'd let fellow deaf divers know of this new website. Its to cater for like minded divers and helps to organise trips as well as having a forum for discussion relating to scuba diving.

Deaf Divers

Who knows, a trip to the red sea might just take place at the end of the year!

Cheers,

Tom

[addive]

hello you all
when i was training i buddy a deaf guy and if anything he was a better buddy because the hand signal were very good
i would always be willing to dive with any deaf person
happy diving adrian (addive)

[Adrian Kelland]

Hi Tom,

I've long considered that deaf divers would have less problems underwater than those whose hearing is taken for granted. Levels of commmunication likely to be so much better if signing is used.

I am more interested in why you think you need to be separate from the rest of the diving community in setting up your own website. We all may as well be deaf underwater and sound on a website is usually a PITA.

Best of luck with the site,

Adrian

[eiresorpio]

Hi Adrian,

Thanks for your post. The site is created purely for social gatherings as many times I've experienced communication breakdown with my hearing peers during dive trips and so on. The only advantageous thing tat has come out of it is when I am underwater signing away.

There are lots of deaf divers across UK who have given up the sport simply cos they dont enjoy it much so this is where the site comes in.

However, in due time I will hopefully add on a link where hearing divers could learn more on signing and perhaps an event where hearing people could tag along just to learn signs and maybe ways to improve communication underwater.

In the meantime, stay tuned to the website!

Cheers, Tom

[ScubaSue]

Originally Posted by eiresorpio

However, in due time I will hopefully add on a link where hearing divers could learn more on signing and perhaps an event where hearing people could tag along just to learn signs and maybe ways to improve communication underwater.

(that's a 'good', not an 'up' )

I look forward to seeing that.

Sue

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by eiresorpio

Hi Adrian,

Thanks for your post. The site is created purely for social gatherings as many times I've experienced communication breakdown with my hearing peers during dive trips and so on. The only advantageous thing tat has come out of it is when I am underwater signing away.

There are lots of deaf divers across UK who have given up the sport simply cos they dont enjoy it much so this is where the site comes in.

Is that down to the sport, or an us/them mentality from all involved? The wet time is short compared to the social, which is where I imagine problems can occur. I have been in a pub surrounded by a 'deafening silence' of signing - it is never fun to appear to be excluded.

However, in due time I will hopefully add on a link where hearing divers could learn more on signing and perhaps an event where hearing people could tag along just to learn signs and maybe ways to improve communication underwater.

In the meantime, stay tuned to the website!

Cheers, Tom

I'll try - too many already You might want to post to the BSAC forum too, although we do try to encourage inclusivity as does YD.

Sadly my local signing course appear to be based around getting qualifications, and the prices reflect that.

Adrian

[B]

well done to you for setting up the site... but like was said before, I hope they feel that they are as welcome here as anyone else... dont want them to feel excluded because there is no reason to...

we would certainly not mind buddying up some time if you are planning a trip..

berit (& steve even though he is asleep)

[Craby]

good on u for settin it up but i dont see a problem with deaf people divin with anyone , i for one would never even think about it. just treat them exactly the same as any other diver . any one lookin for buddy any time pm me im usually free to dive x safe divin xxx

[Odin]

Ali Baba
Red Sea guide par excellance!
profoundly deaf since birth...
Wonderful u/w..
Fantastic above water...
can lip read and swear in many languages!

[Neeko]

Tom,

Excellent! A very good idea. I'm profoundly deaf - and stopped training when I got my PADI DM because there's really no proper support for deaf people wanting to be Instructors. The thought of instructing a classroom of hearing people gives me the shits! Just imagine the excuses from students who don't do well or make big mistakes they would probably use the easy excuse of "but I couldn't understand the instructor". Also, would students be happy to pay full whack for an OW Course when in their view the instructor is "limited".

I reckon I could instruct OK in very small groups or even one-to-one as my speech is not tooooo bad.

Tom, how did you manage to get your instructorship? It must have take you a lot of hard work and guts. Well done.

~ Neeko ~