How old is "too old"?

[kimbalabala]

I am SO encouraged by all of you! Thank you for sharing your ages too. Someone recently posted a question about why we aren't seeing more divers in the 20-30 year old range. While I certainly want the sport to continue to flourish with "new blood" I'm very happy - and impressed - to see that aging doesn't seem to slow down divers very much. What I really need to do is put together a more healthy lifestyle that will support my continued diving. Now THAT's motivation!

 

[drbill]

JY Cousteau dived into his 80s and Leni Riefenstahl into her 90s. You two are spring chickens!

I'm 66 and do 200-350 dives a year... far more than I did in my twenties and thirties. Obviously we all age differently, and may need to alter our gear configuration as we do. I hope to dive into my 70s or 80s.

 

[Doc Harry]

How old is too old? Anyone over 50 is way over the hill, and should just stay at home with the TV remote control (I am 53).

I used to dive with a couple in the Bahamas - they lived on a sailboat and went diving every day. He was almost 90, don't know the age of his wife.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

How old is too old? Anyone over 50 is way over the hill, and should just stay at home with the TV remote control (I am 53).

I used to dive with a couple in the Bahamas - they lived on a sailboat and went diving every day. He was almost 90, don't know the age of his wife.

There's a huge chunk of divers that don't even start until their 50's.

 

[Doc Harry]

I didn't start diving until I was 43, and I got my full cave diving certification at age 49.

 

[Laurie S.]

I didn't start until my 57th birthday. Almost four years later, I'm a DM and have more than 200 dives. I have no intention of stopping for several decades.

 

[PEDiamond]

FWIW I didnt start diving till age 64, am 66 now and do about 80 dives a year....rate limiting factor is fitness, not age though god knows there is a greater-than-random correlation between those two....aloha...peter

 

[Divealpha]

Started diving in 2010, and turned 59 this year....just looking forward to retiring, so I can dive more! The last dive center i visited had 110 steps down to the beach/office, and I did manage to carry my gear up the steps by myself . Oh I used a few minuted to get my breath back, but I guess I'll be in better shape when I retire......

 

[TMHeimer]

I started at 51, am 59 now and divemastering about a year and a half. Hauling tanks and the other rigors that go with that are no problem-- so far. What I dislike the most is getting in & out of the 7 mil wetsuit, but I hated that at 51. At some point I will stop the DMing and scale down my diving. As someone said, it all depends on what type of diving you do. I try to avoid any lengthy walks to the site geared up (not good for the back). Money allowing, I will start to do fewer dives here and hopefully add to my one Caribe. dive vacation so far. And diving in FL with my shorty. We'll see.

 

[freewillie]

"At 71 I have to be realistic. I appraise my abilities and condition before every dive, and every year I make whatever adjustments that time may make necessary. I'll continue to dive for as long as whatever kind diving to which changing circumstances limit me remains enjoyable. I think I've got a way to go."​

Seriously, how old is too old for sex? Is that a reasonably analogy?

I wouldn't consider that a reasonable analogy, not unless your "toys" weigh as much as full scuba gear.