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At what age do you call it quits?
- Thread starter wildbill9
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billt4sf
Contributor
A few years ago I wondered the same thing and I think posted about it on this board!
Now I have an answer.
First off, though I LOVE diving (we moved to Bali to dive Indo) I have other loves as well -- they might ever be greater passions. Classical music, literature, hiking, nature, relationship with my wife, maybe other things. I am not one who "lives (only) to dive".
It would be HUUUUUUUUGE loss if we have to give it up. I am currently looking at back surgery at age 65, so I have had to contemplate it. My wife and I have had a few heart-to-hearts about it -- which is the wonderful part of having difficulties.
I have already taken losses to my activities in other areas: biking, hiking, backpacking, .... is diving next? Maybe.
What I do know is that we have reduced the types of dives we do: no more cold water dives (too much weight), no more dives without a DM to carry the gear. It could be that, as a result of my sciatica, we will have to eliminate dives where we put the gear on before getting in -- this would eliminate negative entries and higher or medium current dives.
What we have done also adds risk to the diving that we do: We don't have the same physical strength to struggle against current. If we had to come up the ladder with the gear on, it could be a problem. We could have a back spasm or a hip dislocation in the water. If we get lost at sea, we would likely not last as long as a 35-year-old.
We need to be more aware of how to evaluate sea conditions and whether it makes sense to sit out a few dives here and there.
We plan to dive as long as we can accept these risks knowingly, as long as it makes sense given our physical (and mental!) capabilities, though reducing the types of dives as we go. But when we stop diving, we won't stop living, or stop enjoying life.
We don't plan on living forever. One must take the losses that come with aging gracefully.
- Bill
Now I have an answer.
First off, though I LOVE diving (we moved to Bali to dive Indo) I have other loves as well -- they might ever be greater passions. Classical music, literature, hiking, nature, relationship with my wife, maybe other things. I am not one who "lives (only) to dive".
It would be HUUUUUUUUGE loss if we have to give it up. I am currently looking at back surgery at age 65, so I have had to contemplate it. My wife and I have had a few heart-to-hearts about it -- which is the wonderful part of having difficulties.
I have already taken losses to my activities in other areas: biking, hiking, backpacking, .... is diving next? Maybe.
What I do know is that we have reduced the types of dives we do: no more cold water dives (too much weight), no more dives without a DM to carry the gear. It could be that, as a result of my sciatica, we will have to eliminate dives where we put the gear on before getting in -- this would eliminate negative entries and higher or medium current dives.
What we have done also adds risk to the diving that we do: We don't have the same physical strength to struggle against current. If we had to come up the ladder with the gear on, it could be a problem. We could have a back spasm or a hip dislocation in the water. If we get lost at sea, we would likely not last as long as a 35-year-old.
We need to be more aware of how to evaluate sea conditions and whether it makes sense to sit out a few dives here and there.
We plan to dive as long as we can accept these risks knowingly, as long as it makes sense given our physical (and mental!) capabilities, though reducing the types of dives as we go. But when we stop diving, we won't stop living, or stop enjoying life.
We don't plan on living forever. One must take the losses that come with aging gracefully.
- Bill
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oldschoolto
Contributor
Some get to age gracefully... and Others not so much... When you've broken so many bones and ripped joints, Have been under the knife more times then one person should.. When the pain is a 24/7 deal... When a stroke has taken control of one side of your body and MS is killing brain cells... You look at how much more pain is worth it..
Jim...
Jim...
billt4sf
Contributor
Damn right. Hopefully I will be able to get past this sciatica and get to a "no pain" situation and get back to an active lifestyle. But it is certainly not guaranteed. A year or so ago I thought I had lost it.
Good luck my friend. I hope you are able to find joy, or at least solace in this world still. May I recommend Beethoven Piano Sonatas?
- Bill
sealark
Contributor
I'm 73 started when I was 10, 15 years a Navy Diver. 9000 logged dives. It's the only place to be completely relaxed and away from the real world. Walk 2 miles a day. No major health problems other than arthritis from deep Navy diving. 6' 170 lbs. Dropped 50 lbs after retiring Navy in 1980. Probably go dive today or tomorrow. No plans on quitting.
My 4 life long joy sports are snow skiing, motorcycling, diving and, which I stagger-started in that order from 1961 on. I try to do each as often as possible. I will quit when something pertinent to each is amputated.
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