Diving After 50

[Teamcasa]

First off, never take medical advice from an actor. In addition, taking medical advice from the internet news story will lower your IQ by 8-15 points – It’s true! I read about it on the internet!

My lovely bride was certified ON her 50th birthday, I’m not telling her she should stop now!

 

[wjsdive]

I think if there were any truth to the diving over 50 statement DAN (Diver Alert Network)would be all over it. Many of the DAN Staff dive over 50 many doctors dive who are over 50 and I am over 50 and have no intention of quitting now. I think it has more to do with what shape you are in and how you take care of yourself and as we learned in Open Water Class, "Know your limits"

 

[ryanpublic]

When I first heard this I was thinking he held his breath on an ascent. Another possibility might be flying after diving too soon. (I'll bet he blows off rules like that one when no one's looking). But I guess if he's in bad shape that would have helped bring it on too.

 

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

At his age, one would think he would be smart enough to ask what risks diving could pose. Apparently no one gave him that vital information since he never thought to inform the hospital that he had been diving. Funny that this is suddenly news when the moving is coming out this month and this had to have happened while ago.

 

[DandyDon]

...but of course the search engine doesn't let you search two-character terms like "50."

There are a few ways that you can....

This thread http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/site-support/219351-having-issues-using-search-function.html discusses adding a SB Google Button to your toolbar and how to use the Google Search box and that button to easily search for words/figures less than 4 characters - like age 50.

I started diving when I was 53, btw - and while the risk factor may be higher for us this side of 50, I consider it a well managed risk. Age 72 is a bit long-toothed to start perhaps...?

 

[Saturation]

I think many comments misunderstand what Sutherland has. He experienced barotrauma from the dive. Did he hold his breath or was his airways damaged in some way in the past, we don't know. The vessel in the bronchi ruptured and blood formed. This is what gave him the pain. He could have died if the rupture allowed air into circulation, forming a gas embolism. Other than that, his comments about his age and diving really are not relevant. Talking to a diving doc of any caliber could have clarified the situation easily. He could potentially dive again if a high resolution CT scan of his chest reveals he has normal lungs, otherwise.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Sure ... I get all my diving advice from newspapers. That's where I learned that divers breathe from oxygen tanks ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Barracuda2]

I turn 65 this Sat., the 9th and 12 days later I will be cenote and reef diving in Mexico. Not bragging---I just feel fortunate and blessed. I do work out at least 3 times a week doing both cardio and weight training. I just purchased a new dry suit (my third one) and will be getting BP/wings soon and plan to do more Great Lakes diving before I cash in. Yes, Virginia, there is a diving life after 50.

 

[Doc]

Is this really what doctors advise?

I skied since I was 4. Back then, you would twist something, and any Doctor would tell you to quit skiing.

It's like lawyers... shop around until you get the opinion you like.

I found an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) Physician who is also a diver. I'm set for life.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I skied since I was 4. Back then, you would twist something, and any Doctor would tell you to quit skiing.

I broke my leg skiing at age 3, and the only thing the doctors said was "quit wearing out the bottom of your casts" (3). I doubt many Doctors in Colorado fit your silly generalization.