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Learning to scuba dive has given Michael Cunnane a new lease of life.Michael is deaf and so has a head start when it comes to making himself understood in the deep.
He has been teaching members of the BSAC North diving group in Gloucester basic sign language so they can communicate with him underwater and teach him the new skill.
Michael, 30, , from Longlevens, started learning diving at Gloucester's GL1 leisure centre last October and attends classes on Thursdays. As soon as he is trained, he hopes to go on diving trips abroad.
He said: "I've tried several activities in the past such as running half-marathons and going to the gym but I love scuba diving.
"Once I'm trained I can begin many different kinds of diving adventures ranging from holiday, reef, wrecks, night, cave and expeditions with more advanced equipment.
"I wanted to learn scuba diving after being inspired by my old school friend from my deaf school.
"He told me how much he enjoyed scuba diving and showed me a website Deaf Divers and that got me interested.
"I'm excited just to think that there are so many big fish to see and old underwater wrecks to explore all over the world in my lifetime."
To get this far, however, Michael has had to overcome difficulties with communication.
He said: "Mixing and socialising with other hearing people is the hardest to overcome because most of them do not know how to 'talk' to a deaf person.
"Usually a person make jokes when meeting someone to 'break the ice' but I usually miss the jokes, which leads to awkwardness. Since last October we've found a way to communicate with each other slowly via speaking slowly and using more hand gestures."
But Michael said he has found it easy to communicate underwater.
He said: "Scuba divers do have their own sign language/signals, providing essential underwater communication and it's quite easy to learn.
"With my deafness, I found it easy to communicate underwater.
"I think my deafness is such a bonus because I can talk underwater to anyone who is using deaf people's sign language."
At the moment Michael is doing open water training and lifesaving drills and eventually hopes to qualify for the ocean diver level.
Michael said: "I've gained a new confidence in my ability to dive and I imagine I will love it more once I go out in the sea. I get the impression it will give me a sense of adventure in underwater explorations."
Michael's diving instructor, Steve Cresswell said: "As a student he has been good. He mimics everything I tell him to do.
"It has been an achievement for me as I had to learn some sign language. It has been interesting for all of us."
Anyone who wants to find out more about diving in Gloucester can call 07976 831852 or visit NORTH GLOS BSAC - A friendly Gloucester dive club. Learn to dive. Try a dive. Sub Aqua. Gloucester divers.
Learning to scuba dive has given Michael Cunnane a new lease of life.Michael is deaf and so has a head start when it comes to making himself understood in the deep.
He has been teaching members of the BSAC North diving group in Gloucester basic sign language so they can communicate with him underwater and teach him the new skill.
Michael, 30, , from Longlevens, started learning diving at Gloucester's GL1 leisure centre last October and attends classes on Thursdays. As soon as he is trained, he hopes to go on diving trips abroad.
He said: "I've tried several activities in the past such as running half-marathons and going to the gym but I love scuba diving.
"Once I'm trained I can begin many different kinds of diving adventures ranging from holiday, reef, wrecks, night, cave and expeditions with more advanced equipment.
"I wanted to learn scuba diving after being inspired by my old school friend from my deaf school.
"He told me how much he enjoyed scuba diving and showed me a website Deaf Divers and that got me interested.
"I'm excited just to think that there are so many big fish to see and old underwater wrecks to explore all over the world in my lifetime."
To get this far, however, Michael has had to overcome difficulties with communication.
He said: "Mixing and socialising with other hearing people is the hardest to overcome because most of them do not know how to 'talk' to a deaf person.
"Usually a person make jokes when meeting someone to 'break the ice' but I usually miss the jokes, which leads to awkwardness. Since last October we've found a way to communicate with each other slowly via speaking slowly and using more hand gestures."
But Michael said he has found it easy to communicate underwater.
He said: "Scuba divers do have their own sign language/signals, providing essential underwater communication and it's quite easy to learn.
"With my deafness, I found it easy to communicate underwater.
"I think my deafness is such a bonus because I can talk underwater to anyone who is using deaf people's sign language."
At the moment Michael is doing open water training and lifesaving drills and eventually hopes to qualify for the ocean diver level.
Michael said: "I've gained a new confidence in my ability to dive and I imagine I will love it more once I go out in the sea. I get the impression it will give me a sense of adventure in underwater explorations."
Michael's diving instructor, Steve Cresswell said: "As a student he has been good. He mimics everything I tell him to do.
"It has been an achievement for me as I had to learn some sign language. It has been interesting for all of us."
Anyone who wants to find out more about diving in Gloucester can call 07976 831852 or visit NORTH GLOS BSAC - A friendly Gloucester dive club. Learn to dive. Try a dive. Sub Aqua. Gloucester divers.