One of the nice things about being over 50 is that our memory starts to fail, so we can conveniently forget that we read this post and that we're not supposed to dive after 50, and keep on diving.
Diving After 50
- Thread starter deepstops
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
One of the nice things about being over 50 is that our memory starts to fail, so we can conveniently forget that we read this post and that we're not supposed to dive after 50, and keep on diving.
scubagoldmc
Registered
Let me start off by saying I'm a 61 year old diver, a diabetic, had cardiac stents put in last March. My doctors are all supportive with my diving (my endocrinologist, cardiologist, opthamalogist have all approved of it).
Some things I don't get from this report (and I will be upfront about being a nonbeliver of everything in the media) is the no reported pain etc. before lunch in Los Angeles and him being allowed to fly back to Australia when it would seem that it had not been very long since the incident. From the description I would have thought it would be prudent to not fly (especially with such a long flight) so soon afterward.
I know I have no intention of giving up diving at this age. After all Jacque and Jean-Michel Cousteau didn't, along with a long list of others.
Some things I don't get from this report (and I will be upfront about being a nonbeliver of everything in the media) is the no reported pain etc. before lunch in Los Angeles and him being allowed to fly back to Australia when it would seem that it had not been very long since the incident. From the description I would have thought it would be prudent to not fly (especially with such a long flight) so soon afterward.
I know I have no intention of giving up diving at this age. After all Jacque and Jean-Michel Cousteau didn't, along with a long list of others.
Donald is a SISSY LA LA, end of story. Live like you're never going to die, drive it till the wheels fall off. Blub, blub, bub, I'll dive long after I'm dead.
ETA: I'm 40, AND an inslulin dependant diabetic and I STILL say DONALD is a sissy!
ETA: I'm 40, AND an inslulin dependant diabetic and I STILL say DONALD is a sissy!
Pearldiver07
Contributor
A key item here. Bodies degrade like everything else when left to abuse and neglect.
I hit the big 5-oh and have just started my tech training.
But I also spend 3-4 hours in the gym every week. Not reading a magazine while strolling on a treadmill (like a hamster wheel), but pushing HARD at keeping my intensity up for 45 minutes of cardio matched with a serious weight-training regimen that I've been maintaining most of my prior military career.
Do I think everyone needs this kind of personal abuse? NO-but then again, I don't want to think everyone should be trying tech diving in their 50's (+).
You gotta match your abilities to your desires. Overestimating your ability is just as dangerous as underestimating the challenge.
I'm pushing the end of the 50's and I won't quit 'till I have to. I started diving while 39 and a senior in College. Since I started that late, the diving didn't start until then. I've been diving steadily since then, 50+ dives a year. I don't intend to quit until I have at least dived all the wonderful places I want to dive.
About two years ago I was out on a lobster diving boat chartered by Sea Son's dive club. This is, sorry to say, an all male club. They go long back. I've never dived with a more courteous group and I was the youngster. On that trip, an 82 yo tall fit man who pulled up 5 lobsters that trip announced his retirement. I guess February in the Pacific will test anyone.
About two years ago I was out on a lobster diving boat chartered by Sea Son's dive club. This is, sorry to say, an all male club. They go long back. I've never dived with a more courteous group and I was the youngster. On that trip, an 82 yo tall fit man who pulled up 5 lobsters that trip announced his retirement. I guess February in the Pacific will test anyone.
ArcticDiver
Contributor
But.....
It always amazes me how much discrimination and bigotry remains in our supposedly enlightened and equal opportunity age. Sure, we've come a long way in the race and gender areas. But, for age we have barely scratched the surface of any decent effort to eliminate discrimination.
I remember an instructor I met a couple years ago. A nice guy. But, the moment I first met him there was that "look". You could see the tape playing. "This guy is too old. Let's see what I can do to discourage him." It didn't work. I got what I wanted. But, it would have been nicer without the bigotry.
On the other hand, the majority of people I've met could care less about age. They care about ability. Which is as it should be.
Stereotyping is sometimes a useful tool. Most of the time in human relations it is not only useless, it is damaging.
It always amazes me how much discrimination and bigotry remains in our supposedly enlightened and equal opportunity age. Sure, we've come a long way in the race and gender areas. But, for age we have barely scratched the surface of any decent effort to eliminate discrimination.
I remember an instructor I met a couple years ago. A nice guy. But, the moment I first met him there was that "look". You could see the tape playing. "This guy is too old. Let's see what I can do to discourage him." It didn't work. I got what I wanted. But, it would have been nicer without the bigotry.
On the other hand, the majority of people I've met could care less about age. They care about ability. Which is as it should be.
Stereotyping is sometimes a useful tool. Most of the time in human relations it is not only useless, it is damaging.
Scubagolf
Contributor
I was certified when I was 52, am now 57 and 100+ dives down the road of someday maybe getting the hang of this stuff. I was in the Channel Islands (California) on the Peace dive boat out of Ventura a year ago diving with an 80+ year old guy who dives a couple days a month. Stay in shape, keep in touch with your physician, and keep diving!
garyfotodiver
Contributor
- Messages
- 1,308
- Reaction score
- 4
- # of dives
- 200 - 499
Yesterday, 2/22/08, I went on a dive off Boynton Beach Florida. No one on the boat was under 45 years old. I am almost 56. The captain and the DM were in their mid-50s. Grey hair and bellies galore!
No incidents at all. Of course, some of us use more gas then we used to use. But that was about the most exciting thing that happened. My buddies surfaced with about 500psi; I had 1200psi.
As far as my own fitness goes, it is not as good as I'd like. But, I spend 1/2 hour on a stationary bicycle 4 to 5 days each week (except when I am diving in Florida). When the weather is warm, I take 25 mile rides on Sundays, 6 to 8 mile rides during the week.
No incidents at all. Of course, some of us use more gas then we used to use. But that was about the most exciting thing that happened. My buddies surfaced with about 500psi; I had 1200psi.
As far as my own fitness goes, it is not as good as I'd like. But, I spend 1/2 hour on a stationary bicycle 4 to 5 days each week (except when I am diving in Florida). When the weather is warm, I take 25 mile rides on Sundays, 6 to 8 mile rides during the week.
*My* kinda dive party...
Congrats on the workout... I'm active in Krav Maga (usually sparring with 20-something kids)... Wouldn't have it any other way.
Btw, what were the conditions like in Boynton? (air/water temps, viz...). Looking forward to a couple of drifts there next month...
garyfotodiver
Contributor
- Messages
- 1,308
- Reaction score
- 4
- # of dives
- 200 - 499
Today it was the Sea Emperor and a reef with a 52 year-old newbie. Again, two fine dives. The noob used a lot of gas and had some bouyancy issues, but both should improve with some experience.
The air temps in S. FL have been in the mid 80s. There has been a thermocline at about 50fsw from mid-70s to upper 60s. On Friday, the sea was rather rough and getting through Boynton Inlet was, well, let's just say it was interesting. Today, the sea was smooth, perhaps <2ft.
For more info, PM me. I do not want to hijack this thread (too much).
Similar threads
