Snuba & elderly/disabled

[JustGrandma]

Hello there I just joined. I have an aunt who is 78 years old and she has an extensive diving history however it has been over 20 years ago. This woman is amazing I've seen her walk up and down damp grassy hills playing with goats, she still works full time believe it or not at Walmart and that was after a 30-year career with this phone company.
She's amazing for someone who's 78 years old and has had a prior stroke and is a little gimpy in her walk. But that doesn't stop my aunt. I think it would be amazing to take her to Hawaii to snuba. Years ago her doctor said she could not scuba anymore but he suggested snuba.

I just think it would be an amazing bucket list thing to take her and would love to see if there's any very experienced people out here that can give me some input if it's realistic or not. Plus the fact that I'm in my early 60s and have never done any such thing I haven't even gone snorkeling. Looking forward to and very thankful to anybody that can share their wisdom and experience.

 

[lowwall]

Hello there I just joined. I have an aunt who is 78 years old and she has an extensive diving history however it has been over 20 years ago. This woman is amazing I've seen her walk up and down damp grassy hills playing with goats, she still works full time believe it or not at Walmart and that was after a 30-year career with this phone company.
She's amazing for someone who's 78 years old and has had a prior stroke and is a little gimpy in her walk. But that doesn't stop my aunt. I think it would be amazing to take her to Hawaii to snuba. Years ago her doctor said she could not scuba anymore but he suggested snuba.

I just think it would be an amazing bucket list thing to take her and would love to see if there's any very experienced people out here that can give me some input if it's realistic or not. Plus the fact that I'm in my early 60s and have never done any such thing I haven't even gone snorkeling. Looking forward to and very thankful to anybody that can share their wisdom and experience.

She'll be fine as far as handling the dive. But why did her doctor tell her not to scuba dive? Snuba and scuba to the same depth are physiologically the same thing.

I'm also concerned about you. Are you comfortable swimming around underwater in a pool?

 

[JustGrandma]

She'll be fine as far as handling the dive. But why did her doctor tell her not to scuba dive? Snuba and scuba to the same depth are physiologically the same thing.

I'm also concerned about you. Are you comfortable swimming around underwater in a pool?

I'm comfortable swimming underwater in a pool that's not a big deal it's just I haven't done it in a while I'm older and out of shape but I can work on that. I don't know why her doctor told her no more scuba diving after the stroke. But told her that snuba would be okay. Maybe with her sense of balance since the stroke and it's easier not to have the tanks on her back I'm not sure

 

[wlecyt40]

I'm comfortable swimming underwater in a pool that's not a big deal it's just I haven't done it in a while I'm older and out of shape but I can work on that. I don't know why her doctor told her no more scuba diving after the stroke. But told her that snuba would be okay. Maybe with her sense of balance since the stroke and it's easier not to have the tanks on her back I'm not sure

Not sure why a doctor would tell you no to scuba but ok to snuba. Like was said in a previous posting, they are physiologically the same. Divemasters help people in and out of the water with disabilities all the time. We have a woman in our group that can't carry her gear because of kidney replacement and preceding dialysis, but he told her she could still dive until she went on the transplant list. The balance issues will be mitigated by the crew. My concern might be, while down, the current or surge. Depending on strength, it could be disorientating but, again, that is where the crew comes in.

Tell her to get another opinion and from one that is a diver or understands dive physiology.

 

[KenE]

I would highly suggest you work with your chosen Snuba provider. Liability is a major concern for them, if you wait till you get there you may be disappointed. Starting earlier helps get the medical information to make the provider more comfortable with approving the activity. The only reason I can see why the original doctor suggested giving up scuba is due to managing gear in and out of the water. It may have been at a time where adaptive scuba was not even possible. Today, adaptive scuba is more available and she may be able to participate again. A bit of research is needed, I would suggest staying with warm water, cold water adds complications that may be outside of her reach at this point. Good luck and I wish you both the very best!

 

[wlecyt40]

I would highly suggest you work with your chosen Snuba provider. Liability is a major concern for them, if you wait till you get there you may be disappointed. Starting earlier helps get the medical information to make the provider more comfortable with approving the activity. The only reason I can see why the original doctor suggested giving up scuba is due to managing gear in and out of the water. It may have been at a time where adaptive scuba was not even possible. Today, adaptive scuba is more available and she may be able to participate again. A bit of research is needed, I would suggest staying with warm water, cold water adds complications that may be outside of her reach at this point. Good luck and I wish you both the very best!

Totally agree with you!!!