Dive planning for older divers 70+

[Ukmc]

There are very specific changes that occur with physiology of aging that effect cardiovascular and respiratory system even in fit persons. I suspect, that is the reason for age being an independent risk factor for DCS.

 

[ofg-1]

It probably doesn't affect nitrogen loading per se, but there's evidence to suggest that DCS risk increases with age:

In general, doesn't the risk of anything from sudden cardiac death to a bad case of the sharts increase with age?

 

[boulderjohn]

In general, doesn't the risk of anything from sudden cardiac death to a bad case of the sharts increase with age?

Yes, and that sort of thing can explain the undeniable fact that the older people are more likely to die on a dive than younger people. The question raised in this thread that is more problematic is the question of whether DCS is more likely to occur in older people.

DCS is a cause of death in only a very small percentage of fatalities.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

In general, doesn't the risk of anything from sudden cardiac death to a bad case of the sharts increase with age?

Yeah, but the title of the thread isn't sharts

 

[scrane]

I am an older diver, and have never had any indication of systemic DCS, but regularly fall victim to "skin bends". I suspect I have PFO.
I do not get skin bends when diving nitrox with an "air" profile.
Please don't tell me I'm going to die. At 76 that's becoming generally apparent.

 

[drewh1]

Please don't tell me I'm going to die. At 76 that's becoming generally apparent.

Yes, as the OP, death is not a concern. I am not even concerned about getting bent as I won't be doing the whole 5 dives a day thing anymore. I was really more curious about the physiology. Thanks to those of you who provided thoughtful responses with some useful information.

 

[dmaziuk]

Yes, as the OP, death is not a concern. I am not even concerned about getting bent as I won't be doing the whole 5 dives a day thing anymore. I was really more curious about the physiology. Thanks to those of you who provided thoughtful responses with some useful information.

Cells generally get worse at "bouncing back"as we age so one would expect the symptoms to be worse and last longer if one gets bent. The model itself does not care, but the M-values are statistical. So you have to wonder what the average age of the sample was: the farther you're from it, the less representative of you the statistics is.

 

[jadairiii]

As an older diver myself, I think a relationship between age and DCS would be related to circulation issues that can arise as we age. The flow of blood through the tissues is a key factor in both on-gassing and off-gassing.

I would agree on the "blood flow" issue, and I for one, have a LOT more scar tissue at 64 than I had at 24. Most of it is located in joints!