Question How old are you and how long certified? Poll- please take part!

[therookie]

58. Certified OW in 2021. Self-certified as a Warm Water Pretty Fish snorkeler in 1995. Spent the next 25 years limiting myself to the surface because I was convinced (without medical consultation or empirical evidence) that I would not be able to dive due to the atmospheric pressures involved. When a relative by marriage wanted to get an OW certification I agreed to do a PADI Discover Scuba dive. 15 minutes into that dive I discovered that (1) the atmospheric pressures underwater don't affect me the way that I thought they would and (2) that I was officially addicted to scuba diving. Still limiting myself (for now) to Warm Water Pretty Fish diving because I am a wuss who truly detests being cold, although reading several threads here I can see the attraction to cold water diving for braver souls than I...

 

[zllargey]

44. Been diving since I was 15, though I'm now only progressing toward Dive Instructor.

 

[Biz2000]

24 y/o and certified this July, with a whopping 7 dives

 

[Submarine_MiG]

25. Certified for 2 and a half year. Currently, have 99th dive!

 

[happy-diver]

I can feel the tremendous enthusiasm from all of you, thank you for bringing those feelings back for me

 

[SCUBAJeff750]

47, certified in 2018, they guy that got me into diving has only gotten back in the water x2 with me since then x1 other time with his daughters. The first couple years were really slow trying to get him to dive, then I switched into diving with other groups and now the dive club at the shop, and things really took off. Achieved Master Diver, then went divemaster with PADI, now finishing Instructor with NAUI. Out of all the crazy things I have done, diving is by far my most favorite. I have several other hobbies that have not been touched in the last few years.

 

[jalteramore]

There’s another thread about old fart divers over 50, which spurred the question about the possibility of most of the divers on SB being over 50.
So I’m just curious to see what the age makeup of divers is here.
You can elaborate if you wish about age, how long you’ve been certified, how many dives, what type of diving, any other details you have to make it interesting and a good read.

73 yo. First certified in 1976. Recertified 2 yrs ago. AOW cert last year. Much more diving opportunity when retired and spending Winters in Fla

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

73 yo. First certified in 1976. Recertified 2 yrs ago. AOW cert last year. Much more diving opportunity when retired and spending Winters in Fla

What differences did you see in the training between getting certified in 1976 as opposed to the re-cert a few years ago?

 

[jalteramore]

What differences did you see in the training between getting certified in 1976 as opposed to the re-cert a few years ago?

Seriously, I'm 73. I barely remember my recent Cert?! Actually much more detailed and emphasis on safety and drills than in the past. More in water sessions. Much greater emphasis on buoyancy control.

 

[DandyDon]

How old are you and how long certified?​

I didn't see a way to vote in a two-part answer. I'm 77, started in 2001 so 24 years ago if I dive this year. I spent three months in hospitals unexpectedly a couple of years ago with old age issues and had to learn to walk again so I have been considering selling my scuba gear collection, but that would be such a hassle that I might go for the diving at 80 block. I just had an angiogram to clean out a leg artery yesterday again since the other two in my left leg are totally blocked. I don't mind the procedure and my Medicare with supplement pays for all of it, then I feel great again for months, but it could be tricky to schedule trips between flareups.