How old is too old?

[Jupiter31]

Wow, thanks for all the reassurring replies everyone. Even I was starting to worry a bit about whether she should be doing it, but now that fear is totally gone. The only other thing is the "good shape" thing. Like what is considered good diving shape? My mom is active, is a nurse so she's on her feet all day at work, but she doesn't really exercise regularly or anything. Is this something she should start doing?

Today, w/ the equipment advances, you don't need to train to run marathons or be an "Ironman" to dive - frankly, far from it - go on a dive charter or two and you will see a fair amount of grey hair, no hair, and a lot of folks who could lose 10 - 20 lbs. (And that's the woman! ONLY KIDDING!!!! )

I'm almost 55 and I'm a better diver than I was 32 years ago when I got certified - and w/ the exception of grey hair, I fit the not quite tongue in cheek description above.

On a more serious note, and this should be a no brainer as you mentioned your mother works in health care, she should get a physical - absent anything major, she should be just fine - to me, she's young!

 

[TSandM]

I'm a woman who got certified at age 51, and I certainly wasn't too old. I haven't been too old to rack up more than 800 dives in the last four years, and get cave and technical certs. I'm small, not very strong, and have NEVER been considered athletic.

BUT -- I would say that diving will be more fun and less stress for your mom if she can make a little gym time in her week. Doing a little strength training, and a little cardio work, will make carting the gear around a minor irritation, instead of something that might keep her from making diving dates. I wish I had started working out earlier than I did in my diving career (and that I were more disciplined about it than I am!)

 

[pittyyofool]

my friends grand parents dive, and they are OLD at least 75+ and my dad still dives he is 66. Mind you they only boat dive off there own boats. So there is no strain to their oldness, or schedule to follow.

I have a tank (that I use) from 1956 is that old?

 

[k374]

She's not too old.

I started my OW class on my 49th birthday. Since then I've done about 2400 dives.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

:shocked2:
truly impressive! you are practically living under the water

 

[Thalassamania]

It's not the years ... it's the mileage!

I'm 59 and the oldest student that I ever taught was a woman in her early seventies. She did fine, in a rather intense course.

 

[rligon]

I agree with CamG, diving can help encourage you to get into better shape just so you can do more. I got certified at 52, and the only problem I have encountered is beating myself up for all of the years I could have been diving! C'est la vie.

 

[leapfrog]

I taught a rather overweight English woman who was 72. Her husband was 81 with Parkinsons, otherwise he would have had a go too! I remember helping her to kit up the first time. She had a huge grin on her face and she said: "This is my dream come true"!. She did fine and finished the course well.

 

[dkktsunami]

Nearly 66 and doing over 200 dives per year in lakes, oceans, caverns, quarries, any place with water. I love diving and plan on continuing until forever is over. I am not an athlete but am reasonably healthy. I did DM course at 59 or 60 and cavern at 62 and am in middle of first tech cert. Diving is a wonderful way to remain healthy and have an active outlook on life.

 

[rcs9250]

I was originally certified in 1974 at age 19. Dove for about 2 years then set it aside. I stopped skydiving at age 44 and returned to scuba. Became an instructor at age 51. Finished tech this summer. Looking to do cave this winter and if the lotto comes through I'll have a rebreather on my back one of these days.
I'm working on certifying a gentleman that is 72. The oldest we certified at our shop was 84.
If your mom is too old I'm dead.

 

[miketsp]

My wife got certified at 54 some 8 years ago and we were going diving every month.

Then 2 1/2 years ago she had a massive cerebral aneurism that had to be clipped, almost died on various occasions, so had to stop diving for around 18 months until she was fully recovered. Since then we're back into the routine (with doctor's clearance).

But what we learned is, "make the most of life while you are still able" because things can change in a moment.

Carpe Diem.