my old mum and diving

[h90]

My mum is interested in diving but ask me for recommendations......

She is 64 and thinks she is to old, but loves nature and would do anything to see fishes in the sea.

Facts:
very nervous person who always wants to win and be the best
heart: nervous we have that in family sometimes very high blood pressure (when nervous) but don't take any tabletts instead going on the hometrainer 60 min every day (which works perfect).
Else very healty and pretty strong and trained. From the point of body she still can do more than the usual TV/MacDonalds fatty
Pretty bored at the moment, so anyhow good if she finds some targets....
She just trust my judgement on what she shall do or not, else others tell she has a head of concrete (well without she couldn't rise me....)
Now after taking care her old mother for 15 years (several strokes) she don't really know what to do with her time, but always loved sport and nature.

I stay in Thailand she in Austria, she'll come for a longer visit.

If it would just anyone I could give a perfect recommendation just on my own mother I have no idea please give me your ideas no matter if smart or stupid, if nice or insulting.....

My idea would be: get the OW book read it, if like try the pool.....

 

[sarita75]

I think your idea is right. Scuba can be as simple or as advanced once the basics are learned. Her age may or may not be a consideration. She may wish to actually speak with her physician before signing up for a course (and may be required to be examined prior to beginning it anyhow). If she is interested she should give it a try.

 

[Busdiver]

I regularly dive with individuals in their late 60's and 70's. Some of them have been diving for decades, others for only a year or two. The key is your mom's physical health. Have her checked out by someone who understands the effect of diving on the human body. Trust me, not all doctors are built the same. If she has a doctor who can safely say that she is good to go, then by all means share the wonderful experience of diving with your mom. You may introduce her to a love that will keep her on this planet for another 40 years.

 

[DiveTub]

I taught my mum to dive at 57, she comes for a splash with me now and then over the summer months.

Thing that ****s me is I have to carry her gear to the water, she says its cause of having both hips replaced one of them twice. Strange how she still manages 18 holes of golf without any problems...

First thing to do before getting her hopes up is have her get a full dive medical see what the Doc thinks.

Cheers
Chriso

 

[DandyDon]

She may wish to actually speak with her physician before signing up for a course (and may be required to be examined prior to beginning it anyhow). If she is interested she should give it a try.

Yep! Beyond that, go for it. Being on a peaceful dive can be great for her.

I'm nearly 60, and she sounds healthier than me.

 

[knotical]

Almost everything you say, including her maturity, sound like reasons your mum would be a good dive student.

The only possible negatives I see are “nervous person” and “heart: nervous”.

You might want to look at the Medical Statement found at this site:
http://www.wrstc.com/downloads.php
It’s used by several of the scuba certifying agencies, and includes information on (among other things) cardiovascular and behavioral health issues.

Does she snorkel? That’s one intermediate step you could try.
Also, most scuba certifying agencies offer a “try scuba” experience.

By the way, I’m a 63-year-old active instructor, so I’m biased.

 

[h90]

Actually she does not speak with any physician, a year ago she had a full check and everything was perfect, beside that her blood pressure is normal in normal conditions and extrem high when she is nervous and she is always nervous when speaking with a doc.
Thats in the family. Both my grandfather and my grandmother had that, both got several strokes due to it. With 16 or 17 I made the highscore for a 65 year old doc on the ergometer with 40/260 blood pressure, while I have normaly have 70/130.
I don't have any problems anymore because I stoped beeing nervous.
But that is what I worry, and I might be in the same position like a mum not beliving that her 18 year old baby is now a man.
I worry with that nervous style, can she dive? But I may overreact, maybe under water she is a cool person???
So my idea is let her read the OW book first, and than let her try in the pool. When I learned the pool was not deep if you panic you can stand up.....

Maybe I am just overconcernd??

 

[h90]

Almost everything you say, including her maturity, sound like reasons your mum would be a good dive student.

The only possible negatives I see are “nervous person” and “heart: nervous”.

You might want to look at the Medical Statement found at this site:
http://www.wrstc.com/downloads.php
It’s used by several of the scuba certifying agencies, and includes information on (among other things) cardiovascular and behavioral health issues.

Does she snorkel? That’s one intermediate step you could try.
Also, most scuba certifying agencies offer a “try scuba” experience.

By the way, I’m a 63-year-old active instructor, so I’m biased.

I am as son complete biased, I may complete over/undervalue things.....
Maybe I am much to critical and my mum is just a usual person...
Don't know I guess I tell her to try the pool...

 

[under water]

She is only 64. Give her the information and let her make up her own mind.
She will need a physicians note. I think this may be particularly true in Australia.
Tell her you love it and think it would be a great thing for her too.
Depending on where she lives in Australia, it seems like there are plenty of opportunities to start with some snorkeling (no heavy equipment to worry about and minimum task loading).

 

[h90]

Yes will do so....
but Austria, not Australia, don't know the laws in Austria, in Thailand there are none I think....

She is only 64. Give her the information and let her make up her own mind.
She will need a physicians note. I think this may be particularly true in Australia.
Tell her you love it and think it would be a great thing for her too.
Depending on where she lives in Australia, it seems like there are plenty of opportunities to start with some snorkeling (no heavy equipment to worry about and minimum task loading).