Active Divers over the age of 50

[Pressurehead]

Have you discovered sailing? Less politics

Sailing ? A sailing vessel is hole in the water you pour money into, cheaper to buy a CCR, a top of the line drysuit and any mix of gas you want....You get the idea.
And politics, never join a yacht club.
I know you are only joking but some old fart here might think it is a good idea.

 

[Tippytoes12]

OP, please don’t take offense, but there are thousands and thousand and thousands of divers over 50, over 60 and over 70 out there. In fact, on this side of the pond, younger people who come out of university tens of thousands of pounds in debt and need a kings ransom to buy a property, often cannot afford an expensive hobby like scubadiving. On trips and liveaboards we have done recently the average age was 55 to 65. We have also met several more mature OW candidates, many in their 60s.

 

[Wibble]

Sailing ? A sailing vessel is hole in the water you pour money into, cheaper to buy a CCR, a top of the line drysuit and any mix of gas you want....You get the idea.
And politics, never join a yacht club.
I know you are only joking but some old fart here might think it is a good idea.

Came from sailing as was spending far more time underwater than on it. Sold the sailing boat, bought a rebreather with all the trimmings and, whilst I sometimes miss the boat, I love the loss of liabilities and the constant demand of maintenance.

When my body breaks and diving is no longer an option, will sell the dive kit and find someone who needs crew — sailing’s so much cheaper on other people’s money

 

[Vertologist]

Another female chimes in!
Just found this thread.. my people! Have met a few of the responders and surprised at one's age. Won't disclose which one..thought you were a few years younger!

60, cetified Jan 1993, 1352 logged dives. Had to take a few years off in the single parent of a toddler phase of my life. Hermit Crab is grown up now and married!
I like shallow clear water dives. Longest dive to date was 3:40 on a generous fill steel 80 (ending the dive with 700psi) . Anything under 2 hours is a short dive! LOL

Wow! Over 3 hours on one tank? I can only dream of that kind of air efficiency! Well done!

 

[NitroxSam]

OP, please don’t take offense, but there are thousands and thousand and thousands of divers over 50, over 60 and over 70 out there. In fact, on this side of the pond, younger people who come out of university tens of thousands of pounds in debt and need a kings ransom to buy a property, often cannot afford an expensive hobby like scubadiving. On trips and liveaboards we have done recently the average age was 55 to 65. We have also met several more mature OW candidates, many in their 60s.

That's good to know. No offense taken at all.

 

[Rick Brant]

I would be surprised if the median age on SB was not over 50.

 

[arew+4]

@The Chairman

Hey Pete do you share demographics?

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I would be surprised if the median age on SB was not over 50.

just start a new thread with a poll?

 

[drrich2]

In addition to age, you'll find some other common elements amongst scuba divers. While there are diving couples and diving families, many divers are either 'the' diver in the family, or the 'avid diver' (e.g.: maybe hubby likes to get in high dive counts in some tougher conditions, and spouse is content with a few 'tropical aquarium' condition dives).

Some divers in coastal areas (or willing to dive lakes/rivers) don't travel as much to dive, but dive tourism is how a lot of us roll (at least part of the time).

Scuba diving tends to be an expensive hobby.

So recreational diving lends itself to people who have the discretionary money to spend a few grand on a 1-week + trip once or twice per year (so fairly affluent, or middle class and dedicated!), is sufficiently free of family responsibilities (e.g.: not dealing with a few young children) to be gone to an exotic place a week or two out of the year, and if they travel with non-diving family, the family can afford the extra airfare, topside excursions, etc...

That level of socioeconomic success often comes a bit later in life, as does that level of freedom from being tied down by the 'ball and chain' that is taking care of little kids.

There are exceptions; single divers, young adult divers, people who got rich young and/or live near prime diving locales, etc... Still, if you look at recreational divers as a demographic group, I expect them to trend older.

 

[Catito]

Not sure if this is the right place for this thread. I am curious as to how many SB members, who are still active divers, are over the age of 50? Also, how long they have been diving, how often they dive, and what types of diving they do?

Always snorkeled and swam (and was a serious runner). Decided to try scuba at 57yrs. From that point on I have tried to dive every other weekend if the weather cooperates…shore, boat, and Blue Heron. Nitrox. I prefer warm water and was in Cozumel in late Feb (still cold there). Last weekend our dives in Fla were 73F. To me, that is freezing cold. Certifications includes Rescue at 58 yrs with a bunch of college kids at Nova University.