>    ... no, I'm not kidding.  I have a good friend who has been blind
 > since birth.  He insists that he is not visually handicapped, merely
 > unable to see. And he wants to learn how to scuba dive.
 >    I can't think of any reason per se why this could NOT be done.  Do
 > any of y'all have any experience with this sort of thing?  Obviously, it
 > would take a special approach to instruction, and his dive buddy would
 > be a very critical part of the process.  But it should be feasible.
 > Heck, maybe he can even get a c-card.  Any thoughts or suggestions on
 > this?
Rick,
I know myself, I would not want to be the person putting my name on the 
certification card that would be held responsible for this diver, even if it 
was a diver with restrictions.
If it was done though, the diver would need some kind of audio response to 
signal to him what his depth/air/position was in the water.  This goes on to 
exclude the possible damage a sightless person could cause to reefs, or the 
possible injuries he could sustain to himself by either going into something, 
or something running into him.
I'm all for the disabled doing all they can, but I think this is a case where 
the dangers outweigh whatever possible benefits the person could receive.
Again, this is only my 0.02.
Beery
 >    I myself am not (yet) a diver, but my significant other is a NAUI
 > instructor here in Atlanta.  Since this BBS is a long-distance post for
 > me, please feel free to address your responses to me at:
 >    rick.albertson@sid.net
 >    Thanks.  I'll let y'all know what I find out.
 > --- Dive Safe!
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