Mills

thanks Dan for that great bunch of ideas. I've tried facebooking the blind jumper mentioned above and talking to people who run dropzones but haven't had much luck. I really appreciate this reply. The trouble is, the schools I've spoken to see training me as a risk so aren't as proactive at brainstorming techniques for me to pass, or they just forget about my phonecalls altogether. The glasses thing woulnd'woulnd'would not be able to sense things that far off. I think it only works up to 10 feet. I like your idea; it could work with beakons on the ground. They have audible altimeters and the ipod/iphone has great gps apps. I read the blind guys already skydiving just use radios and get guided in by their spotters. Thanks again, and if you have anymore tips, or know anyone pls send them my way.

Thanks for the win tunnel tip. I looked it up and think that would be a great way to prep. If anyone here is in contact with a blind skydiver, could they please ask the person to pm me with advice and tips? I have a screen reader program on a regular computerthat talks like a robot.. The thing about skydiving is once you are out of the plane there's no turning back, so I'd like to be as safe and prepared as possible. When training for karate tournaments and target shooting, there's ways to practice and experiment safely without crossing the point of no return, so the win tunnel may be the solution. Blind Dan and John Fleming seem to have lots of years of experience under their belts. I wonder how they learned, or if they used a wind tunnel to ogment their training.

That sounds like a good idea too. I'll look into that. Any ideas on how the instructors would go about training me? How would I know which positions to do in free fall and when to do them?

Sorry, I'm doing my best. I can't see anything on the eye chart, so I guess some how my senses instantly translate things I pick up from hearing into mental pictures. I doubt I could see another parachute in the sky. I definitely would need the set up with 2 radios and audible altimeters. I have glaucoma in one eye The hard thing is that the eye specialists say I cannot see but I can see some things on tv. I think its best that when I consider my situation I should do it on the bases of having no vision. It is really hard to explain what I can sense as some things I am not suppose to pick up I can and at other times my senses fail me. I'm not guessing, there are times when my senses just don't give me any feedback, so they are unreliable.

I have one eye that can see light. I can see tv and digital camera screens if I try hard, but with no detail. When not looking at the lighted screen I only can see bright light (sun) and blue for sky. The bright lights hurt and I guess my other senses fill me in to what I should be seeing and then I subconsciusly make a mental visual picture. I once had full vision. The eye that can see tv is noted by my eye doctor as having no functional vision. I argue with them that I can see something as I am able to watch movies but with no detail. I really want to get my license because I love the feeling of falling from things like cliffs. I had an idea the risks would be greater for me being blind and getting more info on those risks will better enable me to make an educated choice. what's tom's user name on here? Thanks again for all the advice and leads.Quote

Thanks guys for the responses. I'll definetly contact Dan. I live in Vancouver B.C Canada. I am blind as a bat, so have no functional vision. Quote

When I first started looking into skydiving I thought the only way for a blind person to jump was tandom. While googling places I learned about John Fleming and Dan Rossi. They're both blind jumpers who have set some free fall records and have done formations with other sighted jumpers. From what I've gathered they jump with the aid of 2 way radio with a spotter on the ground and an altameter that beeps every thousand feet. I would love to get my license, but the instructors in my area have all told me they have no experience training a blind person and are hesitant without first consulting with someone who has, or a blind person who has their license. I have done cliff jumping, am a rock climber and participated in martial arts tournaments. I even have tight groupings on a shooting range. I'm all about safety and would really appreciate any guidance and tips as I have yet to find any ways of contacting any blind skydivers.

Hi guys, I am about to do my first jump in a few weeks. I am a rock climber, have done raepelling and love the feeling of free falling when cliff jumping. I am visually impaired and am looking for advice and tips for getting a license. The instructors I've spoken to in my area are hesitent as they have no experience teaching a blind person. I have heard of a number of blind jumpers in the states who go regularly; John Fleming and Dan Rossi in particular. Any info on how to get the training done and in a very safe way would be greatly appreciated. I hope to find the answers to some of my questions in the disabled section of the form. Thanks in advance!