Too Old to Dive?

[H2Joe]

My brother and I are both experienced divers, and after hearing all of our stories and seeing our pictures, my parents are anxious to try SCUBA.

My question is: do you think it is wise to encourage a 73 year old man to take up scuba? He has had two hip replacements, and would be better off if he lost about 40 or 50 pounds. On the other hand, he rides his bike about 20+ miles a week, and plays tennis (albeit without much alacrity since the 2nd hip).

-- Joe

 

[sealkie]

Stan Waterman just celabrated his 80th birthday - he`s still diving

I suggest your parents talk it over with their doctor and get a good medical - if the doc thinks everything is order and your folks want to five it a try - why not !

 

[h2omammal]

....not just a regular "PADI style" medical exam.

And have them both go to a diving doc. It's important to remember that heart attacks have killed older and/or out of shape divers.

If they get the go ahead from the doc, I'd still keep to the warmer waters so they don't have to deal with heavy exposure suits and lots-o-lead.

 

[BigJetDriver]

h2omammal once bubbled...
[B...have them both go to a diving doc.

It's important to remember that heart attacks have killed older and/or out of shape divers.

If they get the go ahead from the doc....[/B]

It is always good to have a Doc who knows and practices diving when you are a diver yourself.

Heart attacks have killed younger out-of-shape divers too! (Twenty miles or more a week plus tennis sounds as if he's in pretty good shape.) (How about Mom?)

If they get the go ahead from the Doc, they can do anything they darn well please!!!

 

[h2omammal]

BigJetDriver69 once bubbled...


It is always good to have a Doc who knows and practices diving when you are a diver yourself.

Heart attacks have killed younger out-of-shape divers too! (Twenty miles or more a week plus tennis sounds as if he's in pretty good shape.) (How about Mom?)

If they get the go ahead from the Doc, they can do anything they darn well please!!!

anyone can do as they please, that doesn't mean it's necessarily well advised. If it were my mom or dad, I'd be concerned about the 40-50 lb overweight issue. DAN has much information on the subject, and it might be worth a call to them for advice.

kudos to them both for wanting to give it a try!

 

[Zagnut]

..that are in their 70's. I do, however, think that talking with a doctor that is a diver or at least familiar with medicine as it relates to diving is a good idea. Also, the use of nitrox and doing shallower dives in warmer water would help offset the risks of DCS that increase with age and being overweight.

That's cool, though, to see folks that old want to go out and wring the most out of life like that. I would give just about anything to have my dad along as my buddy experiencing the joys of diving...what a way to bond!

 

[H2Joe]

Mom is eight years younger, and plays more tennis. I was more worried about my Dad's situation.

 

[Genesis]

... is a guy who has to be in his 60s.

He's been bent before too - an "undeserved" hit. It didn't stop him.

He dives Nitrox as if it was air, and is one of the better spearfishermen that I've met. Nice guy too. Has an insane cold tolerance if you ask me (he's been known to dive a SHORTY in mid-60s water!) but heh, whatever floats your boat!

 

[Bob3]

There's no top age level as long as the health & aerobic fitness are good.
Once a person hits the magic "40" an annual checkup should be norm.