When are you too old to dive?

[pilot fish]

At what age is it risky/foolish to continue to dive? I realze all the "you're as young as you feel" and "age is just a number" answers come to mind quickly but that really doesn't answer the question, exactly. Is there an age when the risks are just too great, when the averages are against you, and the chance of you getting hurt is likely? Is it, 60, 70, 80 or 90 years of age? Didn't Jacque Costeau stop diving in his 80s?

Yes, it will vary with each person and their present health and conditioning [assume the person is in good health and fair condition for this question] but is there an age when the dive community says, I think your diving days have past and the risks are just too great for you? Is there an older age where you cannot get certified?

 

[Walter]

When you're too old to breathe.

 

[MASS-Diver]

I know some people that are 30 that shouldn't dive I don't think you can put a number on it - certainly most people should be able to dive well into their 60s if they are healthy. For anyone, annual checkups with your doc should help you decide if it's safe for you to dive.

 

[Wijbrandus]

I was in Curacao a few weeks ago. On our dive boat, we had a Dutchman who'd had open heart surgery, and was in his late sixties. He was diving. His scar did look well healed though, so I'm sure there'd been at least a year between the surgery and when I met him.

I don't know his whole story. He was with other Dutchmen, and I had a hard time following the conversation. He was apparently cleared for diving, and sure as hell outdove me by a mile.

 

[pennypue]

I'm too old to dive when I'm dead.

 

[radinator]

I've seen some 80 yo divers in Bermuda (Teddy Tucker, who's discovered over 100 shipwrecks there) diving with no BC (or octopus, computer pressure gauge). Just a single tank and single reg, and he seems quite comfortable. I've also know some 80 yo pilots who I have no problem sharing the sky with. It's not the age, it's the wear and tear.

 

[simbrooks]

When you die, UW or above, not before! Anything else is possible.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

At what age is it risky/foolish to continue to dive? I realze all the "you're as young as you feel" and "age is just a number" answers come to mind quickly but that really doesn't answer the question, exactly. Is there an age when the risks are just too great, when the averages are against you, and the chance of you getting hurt is likely? Is it, 60, 70, 80 or 90 years of age? Didn't Jacque Costeau stop diving in his 80s?

Yes, it will vary with each person and their present health and conditioning [assume the person is in good health and fair condition for this question] but is there an age when the dive community says, I think your diving days have past and the risks are just too great for you? Is there an older age where you cannot get certified?

I have a friend who is 77 and still dives ... granted, he doesn't dive the cold waters of Puget Sound anymore, but he's still an active diver who can afford to take trips to warm-water spots 3 or 4 times a year. On the other hand, he also still skis (very well ... a former ski instructor) and windsurfs with his grandkids in the Columbia River Gorge.

I think the key is maintaining a level of activity to keep your mind and body in shape ... and recognizing that as you get older you need to remind yourself that you're not 20-something anymore and plan your dives within the limits of what your body will allow you to do. That is going to vary from person to person.

To respond to your last question, there is not (to my knowledge) an age at which the agencies will say you're too old to dive. But as an instructor I reserve the right to decide not to teach someone who I think is not physically up to the rigors of diving, regardless of age.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[captain]

I am 60 and still diving. I had triple heart bypass surgery 5 years ago. I stay in shape by running and other activities. My cardiologis told me I am in better shape than most 30 year olds. I don't push the limits as hard as I did when I was younger.

Captain

 

[montyb]

In view of all the reports of basically young people having heart attacks, I think its up to your doctor and you. Certainly a 60 yr old that exercises and dives many times a year, and is in good physical shape is in much better position to dive than a 30 yr old couch potato that dives once a year when on vacation. (I'm 61 and feel I have many more years of diving - baring some unforseen problem)
montyb