Age, Health, Certification and Trim

[mac66]

Mr. Ed here, classes were delayed because dive instructor took some time off. Classes resume today. This is what I have to do for OWC. alternate air source w/buddy, hovering, controlled swimming ascent, snorkel/regulator exchange. Ongoing are finning, & controlled ascents/descents, Possibly 3 more lessons.
I bought a custom made Bare Trilam Pro Dry drysuit I will be using for the first time today. I was using the shop’s Bare Pro Dry drysuit that did not fit well so I am looking forward to using my own drysuit.
The dive shop is also servicing new Faber Blue Steel 100 cu ft cylinders for me, however, since the dive shop furnishes cylinders to students I will continue this tradition rather than paying for air from using my own cylinders.

Good luck to you. Don't overthink things.

I started diving/got certified when I was 65, two years ago. Got 6 dives in, all warm water/Caribbean before the covid hit. Just did my first dive in two years on a cruise last week. Had to do a refresher but it all came back.

 

[mac66]

Mr. Ed here, classes were delayed because dive instructor took some time off. Classes resume today. This is what I have to do for OWC. alternate air source w/buddy, hovering, controlled swimming ascent, snorkel/regulator exchange. Ongoing are finning, & controlled ascents/descents, Possibly 3 more lessons.
I bought a custom made Bare Trilam Pro Dry drysuit I will be using for the first time today. I was using the shop’s Bare Pro Dry drysuit that did not fit well so I am looking forward to using my own drysuit.
The dive shop is also servicing new Faber Blue Steel 100 cu ft cylinders for me, however, since the dive shop furnishes cylinders to students I will continue this tradition rather than paying for air from using my own cylinders.

Good luck to you. Don't overthink things.

I started diving/got certified when I was 65, two years ago. Got 6 dives in, all warm water/Caribbean before the covid hit. Just did my first dive in two years on a cruise last week. Had to do a refresher but it all came back.

 

[Wibble]

Biggest tip, also applies to younger people too...

Don't bend over and pick stuff up! If you're putting kit on, sit on a bench and get into it.

It's odd, but when I used to do single tank diving I had an almost permanent backache. When moving to the considerably heavier twinset with backplate, etc., I've not had backache since. I put this down to the weight; twinsets -- and rebreathers for that matter -- are way too heavy to pick up and fling around like you could do with singles.

Oh, and don't forget to enjoy it. If it goes horribly wrong, just take your time. Don't be rushed. Once qualified, you're then qualified to practice. Lots. Investment in practice means your diving's so much easier.

 

[Mr. Ed]

Yesterday’s pool session, underwater mask removal and out-of-air buddy reg share with controlled ascent - manual BCD inflate.
Now that I have 100 cu ft steel cylinders, working with aluminum cylinders seems easier.

 

[Marie13]

The dive shop is also servicing new Faber Blue Steel 100 cu ft cylinders for me, however, since the dive shop furnishes cylinders to students I will continue this tradition rather than paying for air from using my own cylinders.

You bought new tanks, correct, not used ones? Why is the shop “servicing” your tanks if they are new?

 

[Mr. Ed]

You bought new tanks, correct, not used ones? Why is the shop “servicing” your tanks if they are new? Perhaps servicing is wrong word. The shop did a visual inspection and filled the cylinders.

 

[TMHeimer]

Biggest tip, also applies to younger people too...

Don't bend over and pick stuff up! If you're putting kit on, sit on a bench and get into it.

It's odd, but when I used to do single tank diving I had an almost permanent backache. When moving to the considerably heavier twinset with backplate, etc., I've not had backache since. I put this down to the weight; twinsets -- and rebreathers for that matter -- are way too heavy to pick up and fling around like you could do with singles.

Oh, and don't forget to enjoy it. If it goes horribly wrong, just take your time. Don't be rushed. Once qualified, you're then qualified to practice. Lots. Investment in practice means your diving's so much easier.

Agree. I made the mistake of buying a steel 120 when I first got certified at age 51. That was too heavy to walk any distanced wearing back then (2005)! Lots of air once in the water though.

 

[boulderjohn]

Agree. I made the mistake of buying a steel 120 when I first got certified at age 51. That was too heavy to walk any distanced wearing back then (2005)! Lots of air once in the water though.

That's why at age 71 I try not to walk too far carrying my double HP 120s. Anything over 100 yards is pretty tough.

 

[TMHeimer]

That's why at age 71 I try not to walk too far carrying my double HP 120s. Anything over 100 yards is pretty tough.

Yes. Car/shore/water. Reverse.

 

[Mr. Ed]

You bought new tanks, correct, not used ones? Why is the shop “servicing” your tanks if they are new? Perhaps servicing is wrong word. The shop did a visual inspection and filled the cylinders.

Both cylinders needed visual inspectiuon before they could be filled.