How old is too old?

[MXGratefulDiver]

This thread reminds me of a time a few years back (when I was still married) that Cheng and I had some friends over for dinner. After dinner we showed them some pictures we'd taken on a recent trip to Roatan. My friend's wife said she'd love to learn how to dive, but it was too late ... she was almost 45. Cheng pointed out that she was 53 when she took her OW class.

I agree with those who say diving can be an incentive for getting physically fit ... taking my first tech class in 2006 was an incentive for me to lose weight and work on getting in better cardio condition. Now ... at 57 ... I'm routinely doing dives in excess of 200 feet, carrying doubles, stages, deco bottles, and scooter. And a few weeks ago I started cave training (will be returning to Florida for more in about seven weeks).

You're only as old as you feel ... and as you get older, staying active becomes increasingly important to a healthy, longer life.

So to the OP, encourage your mom ... not just to scuba dive but to enjoy other physical activities as well. An active lifestyle will keep you and her enjoying life together for many years to come ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Brian Sharpe]

Barring any underlying medical issues she's not "too old".

I was 52 when I did my OW course, one of the people in my OW class was in his 60s (and he's got in way more dives since than I have). Tell her to go for it.

 

[Rhone Man]

Like my Dad (aged 71) says: "When I dive, it's like being 60 again!"

I think your Dad may be overprotective rather than wrong. Nothing wrong with caring for loved ones, but you gotta let them live a little.

 

[JPAPPAS]

i believe that its up to the person and there physical as well as mental ability. Age should not be keeping us from doing MOST of what we want to do ( ha ha ) I just became certified this year at 52 - i've always wanted to do it - saw the bucket list movie and now i'm extremely gratefull that i can enjoy some of my years doing this - its an exciting sport and every new dive makes me appreciate it more - ya know - get her a guitar too, i picked that up as well after 50 - its all about what makes ya feel good -

john

 

[PatW]

Well, I have a bunch of years on your mother. I am 57. I got certified 2 years ago. It was easy. Of course, I am in good shape and I swim very well. I have not experienced any difficulties diving. I have also seen divers who are quite good or let me say expert who are older than I am.

Recently, I was diving in Little Cayman. We had over a dozen divers on the boat who were my age and older. All of the other old divers ranged from very good to superb. So not only is your mother not too old. She should be able to look forward to years and years of diving activity ahead of her.

 

[I Dive]

It was our idea to do it, but my father seems to think that she's "too old" to do it and thinks that it's a dangerous idea for her.

Thanks!

Does your dad find himself sleeping on the couch a lot?

 

[DCBC]

I'm 56 and I still dive saturation for a living (although I'm semi-retired).

It's not the age that's important, it's the desire to want to do it and a clear medical that makes it safe. Obviously there needs to be an element of fitness involved, but it sounds like your Mom is good to go. Tell her to have fun!

 

[divezonescuba]

I certified a 72 year old great grandfather and his 48 year old grandmother daughter last month.

I had another class where the youngest of all the the students was in their 50s.

Some of the instructor candidates at my examination looked like they were in their 60s.

Tell your mother to take the Enriched Air Nitrox course after she gets certified. She'll be chasing your father around the house after she dives.

 

[Web Monkey]

Hey everyone,
I'm 18 and in the process of getting PADI certified (have my two confined dives coming up next week! ). However, my mother, who is in her mid 40s, is also getting certified with me. It was our idea to do it, but my father seems to think that she's "too old" to do it and thinks that it's a dangerous idea for her.

I'm 52 and just got my DiveCon (DM/AI) certification a couple of years ago. My Open Water instructor was in his 70's.

Is this true? She's in pretty decent shape; she always freshwater snorkels with me when we get the chance, and her only medical condition is high blood pressure (which her primary care physician already approved on the medical form). So is there really that much more risk for someone who is older rather than younger?

There's risk in everything. Your mom could have a heart attack while diving, but she could also have a heart attack while walking to the mailbox.

She should do a "Try SCUBA" (in a pool) and see if she likes it.

Here's some info on diving and hypertension:

DAN Divers Alert Network

Terry

 

[oldogre]

You make me feel very ordinary. I have just started diving,PADI OW & AOW & 22 dives so far as a "holiday diver". Looking forward to my next trip - 2 weeks in November.You have to spend the Pension wisely. (77 next month)