Diving after 65

[TMHeimer]

I'm only 63, I don't have the slightest idea what you are talking about

Same, 63+. Yes, basic stuff like gearing up, walking with tank on back, etc. seems to get a tiny bit harder each year (well, I basically dive year round, so maybe I notice it a year later?). I can still dive the same sites as at age 51 and plan to continue that for a few more years. Then perhaps less winter diving in Nova Scotia. At some point I hope to be financially (and health-wise) able to skip the NS dives and increase the tropic/sub-tropic stuff--less equipment, weight, etc.

 

[DogDiver]

67 here, still do mixed gas staged decompression cave diving. Side mount of course.
However, I only do one cave dive per day, and never cave dive two days in a row. After two chamber trips, I want to clear as much nitrogen out of my body.
Now for recreational salt water reef diving. I'll do 4 dives a day at CoCo View.

 

[wildbill9]

Have often wondered how long I can dive, I will be 59 in a few months. Been diving since I was 19 and know there will come a time to hang up my fins. Just hate to think about it. Was on a boat in lc recently and had a 78 year young diver. He was an inspiration. Wifey (who also dives) keeps bringing up different places for vacations like an Alaska cruise.... I tell her that is for old people, I will do that when I can't dive! So I booked Indonesia for our 30th anniversary....raja here we come!

 

[Bert van den Berg]

Forgot to say that my 40 year old son tells me to take it easy on him when we dive together

 

[BoltSnap]

will come a time to hang up my fins

If you are alive, no such thing!!

 

[tursiops]

Are any of you scuba fans over 65?
Let me know of your experiences and any tips and tricks to make life easier .

Age is not really the issue; fitness is the issue.
Some people in their 30s should not be diving.
Nitrox helps. Taking gear off in the water helps. Boat dives are usually easier than shore dives.

 

[mi000ke]

I now use nitrox on most of my dives. Other than that not much else different. Although I do find that the crew seems to want to carry my gear bag more often

 

[claymore]

I am pushing 71 and got certified at 60 and my DM at 66. I find the biggest issue is humping the gear in and out of the water, almost all shore dives in lakes. I bring a folding work bench that generally allows me to gear up close to the water and either back my vehicle down and unload gear or bring gear down a piece a a time. I have done some entry's that have steep narrow trails down to the entry points and have decided that those sites are not worth doing with easier entry's available in the area.
I still DM 4 or 5 OWII's and AOW's each year.
I have found that spending time working my a** off in the gym 3 or 4 days a week helps keep my body able enjoy the sport. As you get older it takes more effort to slow the "I can not do what I used to be able to do."
I will keep diving and DMing until my body or mind is not able to be safe in the water. I do not want to put my self or others at risk because I should not be diving.

 

[billt4sf]

66 here. Damn straight I wonder about it. Cannot do things that I could do just a few years ago due to back problems -- can't exercise as much, can't carry as much weight, and overall less stamina. I am at the point where I wonder how much longer I should continue, although clearly I can dive just fine -- but I never carry the gear (which I used to do just a few years ago).

I called DAN about it some months back, and their comments struck me like what you might get from an insurer - they were saying that you must consider not only what you need to do in the water, but what about an emergency situation? Can you handle a strong current, maybe hanging onto a rope? Can you get back on the boat if necessary? Can you walk out of the water onto shore if need be? That sort of thing.

That sounds like where I am - I could do those things, but since it might take my back out I don't.

- Bill

 

[pointy]

Age accommodation for senior divers (I'm 67):
- When in a drysuit, use Attends to avoid soiling your undergarments - Understand how your trim and buoyancy will change as the diaper becomes saturated during the dive.
-Use a walker to get to and from the shoreline - since you can't get up when you fall down.
-Forget about trying to impress the chicks.