Sportsman seeks blind dive record

Mark Threadgold is confident he will achieve the diving record

A Sussex sportsman is attempting to become the first blind diver to reach a depth of 100 metres - something very few sighted divers have achieved.

Mark Threadgold, from Saltdean, has already notched up world records for power boating and water speed.

He will be attempting the record in June, at Dahab in the Red Sea.

"Just because I'm blind, it doesn't stop me doing anything that anybody else does. We've still got ambitions - if you can do it, I can do it too."

He was an experienced diver before he lost his sight six years ago, and is now a member of the Brighton-based charity for blind ex-servicemen and women, St Dunstans.

The experienced diver visited the Red Sea location last month

A support team is helping Mr Threadgold with his intensive training to attempt the record for the deepest dive ever achieved by a blind person.

New techniques have had to be developed to help him overcome certain obstacles, including a braille slate, which allows him to feel at what depth he should take decompression stops.

He has also been practicing tactile hand signals as a means of communicating with his buddy.

He will be attempting the record at the Blue Hole at Dahab in the Red Sea, where last month he and his team reached a depth of 71 metres.

He will descend with safety divers in the first instance, but will attempt to reach 100 metres unaided.

He has said he is confident he will achieve the record and that he is already thinking about the next one.