Too old to dive?

[ronski101]

Assuming a person is in good health, physically fit for their age, and doing recreational diving in warm water, how old is too old to be able to safely dive? There are always exceptions but are there any warning signs to look for or data and studies done? I remember physical tests years ago when I got certified but they did not include anything at depth where nitrogen absorption, blackout risk, vertigo, circulation, and other changes due to age may come into play. Scuba diving has not been arround that long so data may be scarce. I could not find anything on this board.

 

[texdiveguy]

This is a good start: DAN : Medical Research : Aging Diver

Also search: Rubicon Research Repository: Home

 

[farsidefan1]

Let's see. I'm 57, started diving at 55 have about 100 dives and have been fine. Still wear my whole rig as I climb up the ladder. I can't conceive of any reason I won't be doing this into my 70's. It's just too much fun. I did read about one guy aged 68 who now hands off his rig before climbing the ladder. It's his only concession to age. I've lost weight & gone off my high blood pressure meds. This diving and the desire to stay fit to do it has been a great incentive to improve other aspects of my life. I'll stop at the same time I stop breathing, hopefully the two don't cooincide too closely.

 

[Tigerman]

I think its not a matter of age, but physical and mental capacity..

 

[Walter]

Assuming you are in good health, you're not too old to dive. Limits like that are all in the mind.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I know of one lady who still dives at the age of 83 I believe. Can't recall her name but there was an article about her in one of the scuba rags. So unless you got one foot in the grave for some other reason- GO FOR IT til you can't go anymore!

 

[Saturation]

See here:

To New Divers!

 

[Lee Taylor]

This is a question that has to be answered individually. I think you will instinctively know when it is time to hang it up. Exercise and read articles on the subject are what I recommend. Worse case, you can do easier and easier dives as you age.

 

[SteveAD]

The oldest active diver I have ever met was a gentleman of 102. Granted he could have passed for 65, he was in miraculous shape for his age. There is no answer to how old is to old except if you can dive you can dive.

 

[ArcticDiver]

I know of no, none, nada, studies that show that age is a deciding factor in safe diving. Sure, there are some theories that seem to point to age being a factor. But, the key is "seem to pont". I've not read of any conclusive studies.

Whether a person is fit to dive is a matter of that individual's physical and mental health coupled with psychological attitude and athletic fitness for the activity.

One problem with "professional" opinions on subjects like this is bias. Too many medical people express either their excessive caution, or their bias by saying: "Don't do that(whatever that is); you're too old". So, take care and don't be too awfully influenced by such opinions.