Midlife Adventure Crisis!

[aquacat8]

For me it's not so much taking risks as it is crossing things off my bucket list. I want to die not regretting that I "should have done" something. Unfortunately, my bucket list is empty so I'd better add more stuff to keep me going, such as seeing my very young grandkids graduate from college and being here for some great-grandkids.

I will admit that I never got on an airplane until I was about 60. At that point it was "well, I'm going to die someday anyway" and flying was about the only way to complete the bucket list. The best part is that one of my items was to dive in the Caribbean. Now I've done that a bunch of times. Also, I just did my second Manta Ray Night Dive in Kona--it was better than the first time. Another big factor to consider is that at 60 these things became possible because I was no longer supporting my kids, have very few bills, practically no debt, and can do whatever I want with my money and if I should get killed my kids will still be able to eat and pay their car insurance.

Lucky you with the bucket! As for your last point, I've seen some sweet dive gear for sale on craigslist ads that mention baby on the way...

 

[Steelyeyes]

A dive boat with a dingy davit reconfigured as a gear lifter would be great. “Just handing up” heavy gear isn’t as easy as it sounds. And am I the only one who finds carrying a heavy tank by it’s valve harder than backpacking it on a bc?

I either backpack them or put it over my shoulder if it's more than a few feet. I'm only 58, for a couple of more months, so that old age stuff hasn't really hit me yet.

 

[dmaziuk]

Just buy one of these and drive your gear right in: Soviet Armor :: LuAZ-967

 

[aquacat8]

Sheesh you can buy anything on the Internet!

 

[Marie13]

Have you tried it in a demo? I want to...

Then do it! I tried SM at one of the TDI Mission Tech events last year.

 

[aquacat8]

Then do it! I tried SM at one of the TDI Mission Tech events last year.

And you liked it I think?

 

[Compressor]

I'm near 60. Want to do double LP85s but that too heavy for me and I'll hurt my back. So I dive my LP50s doubles which I like. For single tank I use LP85s. As we age, we should be careful and listen to our bodies.

 

[Bert van den Berg]

I'm 70-1/2 and a careful diver (don't dive solo deeper than 100 feet). Don't want to die while I still have money in the bank.

 

[LimitedSlip7]

There was an 80 year old guy diving in Coz on my last trip. He didn't seem to have any issues, I think he even pulled his own tank back up the ladder.

 

[avatar]

60 in October, and I believe the best cure is staying active and in shape.
I will not go gentle into that good night.