As tursiops pointed out, as you age you make adjustments. I don't do strenuous dives anymore, and carrying a lot of gear over distance is something I really try to avoid.
There are shore entries that I've done hundreds of times in the past. Not now, though. I use my steel hp 45 C.F. much more often that anything larger for shallow jetty and inlet dives that are in any case limited by the 45 or so minutes between incoming and outgoing tide changes.
I've been diving for a long, long, time, and I'll admit it's frustrating at times admitting to myself that things that once were effortless are no longer so.
I'm 71, certified in 1972 but diving on and off since I was a teenager. I really began to notice that I was unable to do everything I used to do when I reached my mid- 60s. Before that any decline was so gradual that I didn't notice. Because I work very hard at staying physically fit I was easily able to outperform much younger divers well into my 50s.
I've never measured my surface air consumption, but on resort group dives I still surface with more air than anyone excepting DMs and instructors, and sometimes I have more air left than they do. Of course, they are working harder than I am.
Some of my advantages are adaptive. I've learned to move underwater very efficiently over the years, and I try never to feel feel 'stoked' or 'pumped'. The only time this happens is when I'm fish collecting and spot something rare that I want very much. Otherwise, I breath slowly, deeply, and evenly. I try to cultivate an alert Zen relaxation. It's a great feeling. I also never do anything connected with scuba impulsively, and I plan everything very carefully. I'm a solo diver, whether diving alone, or with a group.
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.
There are shore entries that I've done hundreds of times in the past. Not now, though. I use my steel hp 45 C.F. much more often that anything larger for shallow jetty and inlet dives that are in any case limited by the 45 or so minutes between incoming and outgoing tide changes.
I've been diving for a long, long, time, and I'll admit it's frustrating at times admitting to myself that things that once were effortless are no longer so.
I'm 71, certified in 1972 but diving on and off since I was a teenager. I really began to notice that I was unable to do everything I used to do when I reached my mid- 60s. Before that any decline was so gradual that I didn't notice. Because I work very hard at staying physically fit I was easily able to outperform much younger divers well into my 50s.
I've never measured my surface air consumption, but on resort group dives I still surface with more air than anyone excepting DMs and instructors, and sometimes I have more air left than they do. Of course, they are working harder than I am.
Some of my advantages are adaptive. I've learned to move underwater very efficiently over the years, and I try never to feel feel 'stoked' or 'pumped'. The only time this happens is when I'm fish collecting and spot something rare that I want very much. Otherwise, I breath slowly, deeply, and evenly. I try to cultivate an alert Zen relaxation. It's a great feeling. I also never do anything connected with scuba impulsively, and I plan everything very carefully. I'm a solo diver, whether diving alone, or with a group.
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.
