Can you Marshal with one Eye?

Andy Metcalf · 4 Feb 2005, 01:43 (Ref:1217056)

Some of you guys will know me, some not. Peter Harding knows me, as does Snetmarshal and a number of others. Without going into detail, as a result of an operation last year, I am still without full use of my right eye.

It works, just not with the left one. My vision may recover, once the Radiotherapy is finished, and corrective lenses may be a temporary/permanent solution. But, I was just curious how you would feel Marshalling with a one-eyed Marshal, being as we have to watch each others back etc. The vision in my 'good' eye has compensated to near perfect. And my Photography has improved too.

DKGandBH · 4 Feb 2005, 03:29 (Ref:1217107)

I don't see why not...
A lot of marshalls are one eyed already

DKGandBH

Circuitmarshal · 4 Feb 2005, 07:13 (Ref:1217171)

And some just don't see!!

**Stephen Green** · 4 Feb 2005, 07:55 (Ref:1217190)

Andy, I don't see it as being a problem given the level of sight in your other eye. In the unlikely event the club you marshals for preferred you didn't go trackside, then there are plenty of other extremely worthwhile jobs you could do with aplomb!

rbs · 4 Feb 2005, 08:00 (Ref:1217193)

Most of us observers are blind according to the other discliplinrs trackside.

**Stephen Green** · 4 Feb 2005, 08:13 (Ref:1217203)

Speak for yourself!

rbs · 4 Feb 2005, 08:42 (Ref:1217214)

I am only repeating the allegations.

whatapalaver · 4 Feb 2005, 09:13 (Ref:1217245)

On a more serious note, I would rather have a one-eyed marshal watching what is going on behind me than a no-brainer who is on another planet.

aprescott · 4 Feb 2005, 09:54 (Ref:1217268)

here here!!

The Fat Clerk · 4 Feb 2005, 10:08 (Ref:1217281)

Absolutely no problem, you'd be welcome on my post for sure.

Steve Wilkinson · 4 Feb 2005, 10:08 (Ref:1217283)

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

Better still a Clerk of Course!

With your disability you could go far!

mazda59 · 4 Feb 2005, 10:32 (Ref:1217296)

I think it makes you more astute when you are aware of your own disability .Only advice i can give is make sure your fellow marshal on post with you is aware which is your 'blind' side & try stand with him covering that side for you . Good luck xx

Stevespurr · 4 Feb 2005, 14:31 (Ref:1217447)

i work with a colour blind electrician which is worse than a one eyed maeshal.

Mark Mitchell · 4 Feb 2005, 14:40 (Ref:1217450)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Absolutely no problem, you'd be welcome on my post for sure.

Same here Andy!

Peter Harding · 4 Feb 2005, 15:10 (Ref:1217470)

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.

Stoowert · 4 Feb 2005, 15:13 (Ref:1217472)

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 · 4 Feb 2005, 15:15 (Ref:1217474)

Quote:

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** · 4 Feb 2005, 15:20 (Ref:1217480)

I take issue with the balder bit

Stoowert · 4 Feb 2005, 15:22 (Ref:1217483)

So do I!

Mark Mitchell · 4 Feb 2005, 15:22 (Ref:1217485)

Quote:

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 · 4 Feb 2005, 16:31 (Ref:1217519)

Quote:

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 · 4 Feb 2005, 17:38 (Ref:1217566)

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 · 4 Feb 2005, 19:55 (Ref:1217656)

Couldn't agree more Peter.

Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.

Sheila M · 4 Feb 2005, 21:44 (Ref:1217772)

Quote:

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 · 5 Feb 2005, 01:26 (Ref:1217902)

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.

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