[Sportsandrec] Does anyone know if blind people can obtain scuba certific...

[PghJohn11 at aol.com]

I was a dive master in Key West working with a company named "Reef  
Raiders."  This was before I lost my sight.  I have over 400 dives  around the 
world but have no dives for a number of years.
 
I received my certification through the YMCA and other PADI certificates  
through an outfit called DAN. (Divers Alert Network).  Google them.   There 
is some good info on their site.
 
I could tell you of some good and bad experiences, but under water is  
beautiful and peaceful.  There is just no way to explain it.  It must  be 
experienced by YOU to feel the absolute serenity.
 
If I were you, I would call a dive shop, or a YMCA and present them with  
your situation and see what they say.  I would not take the word of one  
instructor, but would check out a few.
 
I know there is a charitable organization that teaches wounded Iraq  
military members how to dive and I think this includes ones with traumatic brain  
damage, which sometimes causes blindness.
 
If you are accepted you will begin in a classroom and then gradually move  
into a swimming pool for basic training.  And than you do your first open  
water dive, usually in a quarry near where you live.  It is possible to  rent 
the equipment for this dive to see whether or not you want to  continue.  
This is good since some of the equipment is expensive.
 
If I can be of further help, just email me privately.
 
John T.
 
 
In a message dated 12/9/2009 2:55:37 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
larsen75 at students.rowan.edu writes:

Hi
I've been a certified SCUBA diver for about six years now. I got  certified
when I was fourteen. I have doev in both cold and warm water. I  LOVE to
dive. I actually don't usually go to a resort, I did take  certification
classes. I usually dive either in Maine, near the Noble LIght  house, or in
Bonaire. Bonaire is a beautiful diving island just off of  Aruba. It is part
of the dutch antillies. All of my diving experience  vision wise has been
perfectly fine. Just some changes in teh way things  are done. But it's been
an incredibly wonderful experience.
Feel free to  email me off list: Dnlarsen75 at gmail.com if you have any other
qeustions or  need more info =)
Danielle

On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM,  Cervenka, Stacy (Brownback) <
Stacy_Cervenka at brownback.senate.gov>  wrote:

> Hey, everyone,
>    I have a few quick  questions pertaining to scuba diving?
>
> 1. Has anyone on this  list ever gone scuba diving? If so, where did you 
go?
> What resort or  company did you use? Did you like it? How did you feel the
> experience  went?
>
> 2. I know a few blind people who have gone scuba diving  in various
> locations, but does anyone know if a blind person can take  a scuba
> certification class?
>
> Thanks!
>
>  Stacy Leigh Cervenka
> Legislative Assistant
> Office of Senator  Sam Brownback (KS)
> 303 Hart Senate Office Building
> Phone:  (202) 224-6521
> Email:  stacy_cervenka at brownback.senate.gov<mailto:
>  stacy_cervenka at brownback.senate.gov>
>
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