Recently certified at age 58

[yle]

I mainly plan on doing boat dives in warm water. My problem is that once I have my gear on, including the tank, I cannot stand up. I imagine most boats have a little seat and then you need to get up to sit on the edge in order to do the backward entry thing. Not being able to stand up just felt humiliating. I've been told I should not feel that way, but I really want to be independent and not the old lady who needs help.

Congratulations, Tanya! My mom got certified 6 years ago at the age of 62 and she's been a diving maniac since.

As for diving in warm water from a boat: your difficulty with standing in the boat while wearing your gear is far more common than you realize (because you only get to see the people that are on your boat that one day.) Just say something to the crew. The simple solution is that they'll have you get in the water and lower your gear into the water for you. You'll then put your gear on in the water. They do this far more often than you would imagine.

The only requirement is that you have to be comfortable putting your gear on in the water (which is why it's a required skill in the OW course.) If you are... problem solved!

At the end of the dive, you can reverse steps: take your gear off while in the water, and the crew will haul it into the boat for you. Seriously, they love doing this kind of thing... because it usually means a little extra in the tip jar for them.

 

[billt4sf]

Congratulations, Tanya! My mom got certified 6 years ago at the age of 62 and she's been a diving maniac since.

As for diving in warm water from a boat: your difficulty with standing in the boat while wearing your gear is far more common than you realize (because you only get to see the people that are on your boat that one day.) Just say something to the crew. The simple solution is that they'll have you get in the water and lower your gear into the water for you. You'll then put your gear on in the water. They do this far more often than you would imagine.

The only requirement is that you have to be comfortable putting your gear on in the water (which is why it's a required skill in the OW course.) If you are... problem solved!

At the end of the dive, you can reverse steps: take your gear off while in the water, and the crew will haul it into the boat for you. Seriously, they love doing this kind of thing... because it usually means a little extra in the tip jar for them.

Many people (me included) put their gear on from the exact place from which we backroll. It is only necessary to tell the staff that you need to do that.

- Bill

 

[James@Tank Trolley]

Try using the Tank Trolley. It is easy to slip over the tank and can be taken off easy to store in your dive bag. I've traveled all over the world with mine since 2005. It will roll in the sand too with no problems! Its an essential piece of my dive gear now, Its always in my dive bag. when I rent a tank on vacation, the tank trolley goes on it.
I also attach my BC and gear to the tank and roll it. Lots of weight off the shoulders!
www.tanktrolley.net​

 

[tursiops]

Try using the Tank Trolley. It is easy to slip over the tank and can be taken off easy to store in your dive bag. I've traveled all over the world with mine since 2005. It will roll in the sand too with no problems! Its an essential piece of my dive gear now, Its always in my dive bag. when I rent a tank on vacation, the tank trolley goes on it.
I also attach my BC and gear to the tank and roll it. Lots of weight off the shoulders!
www.tanktrolley.net​

LOL!
I'm just guessing, but I suspect this is not an unbiased review!

 

[James@Tank Trolley]

Yes, I designed it and have been using since 2005. I released it on the market just this year. Check out the website for "unbiased" reviews. It's really helping people and they're loving it as I have all these years. - Cheers!
www.tanktrolley.net

 

[JamesBon92007]

Yes, I designed it and have been using since 2005. I released it on the market just this year. Check out the website for "unbiased" reviews. It's really helping people and they're loving it as I have all these years. - Cheers!
www.tanktrolley.net

I tried using a dolly for Orange County diving and it was OK for going up and down steep roads but was a real drag on the sand. How are you keeping it from sinking in the sand? I was considering a rolling drum configuration with 1/2" or so tread on the ends (for roads) but it was just easier to carry the tank on my back. Fast-Forward 30 years and it's very appealing again

 

[Landlocked123]

As others have said I would go with the smallest/lightest tank that i need. Limit gear to bear essentials. Years ago when I used to dive at Dutch Springs almost every weekend I purchased a dolly to carry the tanks to the fill station. A little dolly can make tank feel almost weightless... get one with the largest wheels you can find.

 

[James@Tank Trolley]

I tried using a dolly for Orange County diving and it was OK for going up and down steep roads but was a real drag on the sand. How are you keeping it from sinking in the sand? I was considering a rolling drum configuration with 1/2" or so tread on the ends (for roads) but it was just easier to carry the tank on my back. Fast-Forward 30 years and it's very appealing again

Just a better construction than the other guys here is a link to a demo you tube video. the tanks are fully loaded down with BC and lead. The wheels just "walk" over the soft sand.
I'm a diver and designed this for divers. I don't think you'll be disappointed

 

[tursiops]

The wheels just "walk" over the soft sand.

Your sand must be different from everybody else's sand.

 

[James@Tank Trolley]

Your sand must be different from everybody else's sand.

good 'ol Southern California beaches! I've used it in many other beaches all over the world, works great!