Do the Blind Get Seasick ?

[noelex 77]

Montion sickness is a very complex subject. The common view that it it is a disruption between what the eyes and ears balance system are telling our brains has some validity, but it is a gross oversimplification.

The simplification fails to explain, for example, why people get much less seasick while actually in (rather than on) the water.

Other factors like proprio reception play an important role.

As others have noted "blind" people often have enough vision to detect motion normally as this is more a function of peripheral rather than central vision.

Anyone who gets seasick should look up some the latest research, as there are some practical lessons, for sailors.

[hpeer]

Borked, care to point me in the right direction? There is so much crud noe on the Internet that a few highly restrictive key words would be helpful.

Thanks.

P.S. A while ago I was researching an eye issue and somehow got detailed reports, w photos, of people who tore there own eyes out. Really and truly freaked me.

[GordMay]

... Maybe an experienced V.I. sailor can tell us if he/she uses the feel of wind on the face, or the sound of wind in the ears, to keep a boat in the "windward" groove ...

Although not vision impaired, I always sailed this way. I think any moderately experienced sailor determines apparent wind direction, and approximate velocity, by it’s feel on the face/head.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Although not vision impaired, I always sailed this way. I think any moderately experienced sailor determines apparent wind direction, and approximate velocity, by it’s feel on the face/head.

--as we all do. I was referring to the much more refined feedback that V.I.s receive to the other senses, and to how this may contribute to an individuals adjustment to the sailing/motion environment.
It is not relevent here, but as a mobility instructor for V.I.s, I can assure you that echo-location and a type of sonar awareness exists in V.I.s generally.

As noelex 77said, a complex, but interesting subject