mdrejhon

Thanks for the prompt reply! Yes, I often have increased situational awareness as a result of my lack of hearing. Same reasons why the statistics say that deaf drivers are often safer drivers than hearing drivers. (When governments first learned about this statistic, they legallized giving drivers licenses to the deaf a few decades ago... Well, at least the western governments, though.) I usually use a hand language called Cued Speech, but I also know the ASL fingerspell as my "second" hand language (PUN intended! ) ... I could learn AFF without trouble. I thought of an addendum to my previous message -- If I have to travel just to get to a deaf-friendly drop zone, can I get certified during just one vacation? (Strong preference would be a deaf-friendly dropzone in either Boston, Washington DC, Baltimore, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa .... Since I have friends and relatives who could host me in those cities) If I cannot get certified during one vacation (i.e. 1 week vacation), will I at least be allowed to go freefall solo and/or even limited formation after that? Or is that all unnecessary, and I can convince a local dropzone to take me as a student instead?

Hi from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada I am writing to ask what it would take to get me certified, considering that I am hearing impaired (deaf). I have jumped twice tandem at Ganonque, including one that was videotaped (and I converted to web format) http://www.marky.com/misc/video/yes-i-did-it.mpeg This video was my first jump... edited down to 3 minutes to show only the relevant parts. Very funny video ;-) As you can see, I seem to learn fast -- I started myself off in a 360-degree spin and stopped to face the camera, using my own control (The instructor may have helped, but it felt like I was controlling my own 360-degree spin, you can see my hands trying to balance myself during the spin if you watch the video!) As a deaf guy, I would not be able to use radios. I was wondering what it would take to get me certified. I'd like to know what it would take for me to become licensed and be allowed to freefall solo and/or formation. I also am checking out http://www.deafskydivers.org/ to see how they trained themselves. I'm looking for the best way to train myself, preferably or primarily domestically, without breaking the bank way too much (i.e. having to travel internationally several times just to get certified, would be incredibly expensive). I love travelling, just need to be within my means. I am shopping around for the right training system for me that does not require me to travel to the USA to get the instruction I need.... Eventually I'd like to do solo freefalls. I have jumped tandem twice already so I know I am ready for it... Comments?