Can you Marshal with one Eye?

[Stoowert]

No problems then. Get down and boogie! My only concern is how is your binocular vision? IE your ability to jundge distances? Apart from that, go for it. Just mention it to your observer/IO assuming he/she is awake! I'm gonna have similar problems as I'm virtually one-armed after me and my bike having an argument with the armco barriers on the M25! Between us we could do a passable Nelson impersonation!

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

If you are turned down as a marshall why not try being an observer!

An Observer is still a Marshal!

Just (Usually) slightly older, fatter, balder!

(Ok - ignore the word in the first set of brackets)

[Stephen Green]

I take issue with the balder bit

[Stoowert]

So do I!

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

I take issue with the balder bit

Sorry Stephen I was viewing your avatar upside down - I also thought you had a beard!!

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Stoowert

My only concern is how is your binocular vision? IE your ability to jundge distances?

That shouldn't be a problem. Although I have reasonable sight in both eyes I have, effectively, no binocular vision because the two eyes don't focus together. This meant that I couldn't play games like cricket as I lose sight of the ball at the critical distance for catching. Talking through this with an optician, he said that binocular vision is only critical at distances of 2-3 metres or less; further than that & distance perception relies more on perspective.

As a footnote, when I lost the ability to focus close up & started wearing Varifocal glasses I found I could see to catch things........

[Vicki]

OK, seeing as this thread is on eyesight, I'll explain mine, albeit rather badly. I had a squint corrected last year, which has stopped one eye turning outwards. My distance vision is very poor, I can see solid objects OK, but can't read from a distance. My sight is so bad that I will not be able to drive and am going to recieve training on journey planning and carrying out journeys, so that I can get about independently. So, would I be able to marshal safely? I'm waiting til I am 16 so that all my GCSE's are over and I am not in full time education. Plus my family has trouble getting me to places owing to distances and my mum working shifts. So I am getting this mobility training and intend to start marshalling when I'm sussed. Will it be safe for me, and would you feel safe with me knowing the degree of my sight problem? Just to point out, my hearing works very well if that is of any help. Oh, almost forgot, I have very limited peripheral vision too.

[John Watson]

Couldn't agree more Peter.

Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.

[Sheila M]

Originally Posted by Peter Harding

My initial reaction is - no problem. you were a good marshal before the op and, if your eyesight is ok, them no problem ... but

Your doctor is the only one qualified to say the sight is ok and
being out in all weathers/running/exertion etc will not hamper full recovery.

Let Doctor decide what is advisable type of activity and let the Chief Marshal assign you accordingly. There are lots of jobs and, if Incident is a problem, then there's always Assembly/Pits or Telephone etc.

Your future health MUST be first priority for you.

Peter, your comments are, as always, very sensible and I'm glad to see that you've advised that "off course" work is also available to anyone who is temporarily incapacitated.

[blueflagger]

We have a marshal in my club who has been without one eye for 30 years and had his license even longer. He won't blue flag at certain stations because of his lack of depth perception but he can do a good job if he can see the cars rounding a corner just before his flag point. He usually works as a captain (observer) and the monocular vision doesn't seem to affect his decision-making during an incident.

PM me if you would like to contact him to ask about it.

[Andy Metcalf]

Thanks to all for your comments. Peter H is right about not overdoing it before I have fully recovered. And I had not even thought about taking up non-trackside as a possible alernative. Well, all going well, I will see some of you at a Circuit sometime this year. I will be the one winking at you.

[Mike Kelly 1]

Stay positive. I am recovering after snapping both the bones in my leg at Aintree last year and have had to re-think what marshalling roles i can do for at least the first part of the year. I know that i wont be manning the Oulton Park fire truck or I.O.ingfor a bit. Get along to your first local meeting and i'm sure you will find a marshalling role that will be suitable for you. If you end up on a post witha limping flag/IO this year, it may well be me! Don't give up marshalling, we need you!

[Ian Smith]

i SUFFER FROM CORNEAL EROSION IN MY LEFT EYE AS A REMNANT OF A STROKE, SO i GAVE UP FLAGGING AND ATTEMPTING TO UPGRADE TO OBSERVER AND MADE THE MOVE TO THE PIT LANE WHER YOU CAN MAKE AN ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION IN MANY WAYS WHILE FREEING A FULLY ACTIVE MARSHAL FOR THE MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. ALL THE EXPERIENCEYOU HAVE AMASSED OVER THE YEARS WILL STAND YOU IN GOOD STEED AND i AM SURE THAT YOU LIKE ME CAN STILL USE A FIRE BOTTLE BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO CARRY IT SO FAR. pLUS MOST PIT LANES HAVE AN OFFICE WHERE YOUR GEAR STAYS DRY AND FRESH TEA OR COFFEE IS AVAILABLE --
HAVE I CONVINCED YOU YET.
GIVE IT A TRY.

[Don Truman]

I've been blind in one eye for the last 15 years or so. The only snags are joining motorways and reversing but otherwise no real trouble. I hope that cheers you up
Don Truman

[Mark Mitchell]

Don, you're not supposed to join Motorways and reverse!!
I'm emailing you a copy of the Highway Code young man!