Deaf divers.

[Taniwha]

I saw a diver in Catalina who was deaf and diving with a sign-language interpreter. Amused at the possibilities, I asked about the sign language being used underwater, and they laughed. They said, "Yes, international sign language is the great equalizer for divers."

What a gift! No more slates, no more goofy, misinterpreted hand signals. Who is really handicapped anyway? :icosm06:

Doug

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I've dove with deaf divers. I'm sure they were talking about me. I'd bet on it.

 

[Scuba~Princess]

Im Deaf myself!!! The underwater world is ideal for us deaf people as we can communicate clearly - although it does have its frustrations! Just think when youre talking to you buddy, you could miss a Manta Ray or a Whale Shark!!! (not likely in these waters!)

On a more serious note - Are there any other Deaf divers out there?

 

[Tegg]

I know ASL, does that count?

 

[Walter]

They said, "Yes, international sign language is the great equalizer for divers."

I'm not aware of such a language.

 

[Taniwha]

Aren't they snippy here?

Sorry, I meant American Sign Language. I've been talking on the phone to computer techs spouting serial numbers, etc., and I confused it with International Radio Code. You know, the alpha, bravo, charlie, delta one.

The point was not of the language, but of the fact that they could sign underwater.

Cheers,
Doug

 

[JodiBB]

There isn't an international sign language....I was also an interpreter at Catalina 2 weeks ago (if that's the timeframe you're talking about Doug)....ASL makes communication underwater even easier, but if I was to try to speak with a deaf person from another country, chances are we would have SOME similarities in sign, but overall, it would be a struggle.

I have been interpreting for scuba classes in the So Cal area over the last 4 months...It's a great way for me to get paid to go diving!!!!!

 

[Taniwha]

There isn't an international sign language....I was also an interpreter at Catalina 2 weeks ago (if that's the timeframe you're talking about Doug)....ASL makes communication underwater even easier, but if I was to try to speak with a deaf person from another country, chances are we would have SOME similarities in sign, but overall, it would be a struggle.

I have been interpreting for scuba classes in the So Cal area over the last 4 months...It's a great way for me to get paid to go diving!!!!!

Had to check my dive log...this was in November. The DI had nothing but women in his class (they were set up next to us at Casino Point), and he was kinda gruff with them in a Marine Corps sort of way. We were all commenting to each other about that. The interpreter that day did not dive as she had some physical ailment at the time, but she hung out with the class and talked with me while they were down.

Cheers,
Doug

 

[JodiBB]

Doug....that's too bad that we didn't meet up!! I would love to know who this other interpreter/diver was as trying to interpret 3-hour classrooms at a clip were exhausting. Having that backup interpreter would've been a G-dsend!!!!

We dove about 2 weeks ago and I had to abort the 3rd dive as the water was so cold that I couldn't warm up between dive #2 & #3....oh well...there's always next weekend!

Maybe another time our paths will cross!

 

[philipo]

Im Deaf myself!!! The underwater world is ideal for us deaf people as we can communicate clearly - although it does have its frustrations! Just think when youre talking to you buddy, you could miss a Manta Ray or a Whale Shark!!! (not likely in these waters!)

On a more serious note - Are there any other Deaf divers out there?

*hands up* I am. =)

If you're living in SoCal area, please let me know! I'm still looking for buddies to dive with! Anyone here knows a good boat dive trips at a good deal? I can see that prices here are quite steep, $100 or more for full days. I compare that to the prices in the Philippines where I could have a full day of diving for only $40!!!! =)


Phil