Considerations for an 81 year old Discovery Diver

[BoundForElsewhere]

So, after years of listening to me rant about how cool diving is (reference 30 Rock Season 6 | Episode: 2 | Scene: We Are America | Line: 147: ) my father has decided he wants to get wet. This is especially ironic as he has been a marine biologist his entire life.

I am probably going to take him down to Isla Mujeres for some nice shallow, easy dives. He is healthy, easy going, and listens well (which is a very important aspect of discovery my wife could never figure out). Other than a sturdy step-style ladder and a nice big swim platform what other considerations are there for a gentleman of his years?

OH, and May the 4th be with you.

 

[Marie13]

Get the medical form and have him take it to his doctor. Better safe than not being able to do the DSD if they ask for a signed form at the last minute.

 

[Wibble]

Good on you mate! It's an amazing experience and your only regret should be that you should have done it donkeys years ago!

Things to consider. Chill out. Seriously; diving is relaxing, but all divers remember the first time they stuck their head underwater and breathed. Your "captain" who sits on your shoulder will be shouting at you; tell him to chill.

Weight. The kit's fairly heavy, but once on your back there's no problems. Do not bend over and pick it up; get someone to help you if you have to put it on from the ground. Nobody does this; we all sit down on a bench and put the gear on, then stand up. Scuba folks are friendly and will always help you. Let them! Or put it another way; anyone can hurt their back, try not to!

The less you breathe, the longer you're down there. We all breathe heavily at first, but soon learn how to control this -- mostly "captain" driven!


Enjoy it; it's hugely fun and relaxing.

Would love to be there to watch

 

[Marie13]

Just now caught he is a marine biologist and just now decided to try diving. That is pretty funny.

 

[boulderjohn]

Comparative experiences:

I was in Palau 2 years ago, and our DM said that a few weeks earlier they had a repeat customer--an 85 year old man who had gotten certified there the year before.

About 12 years ago I was teaching the first day of an OW class in the swimming pool, and one of the students was 69. He left the class during that session, and he was right to do so. He was just too feeble, and I really think dementia was starting to set in.​

In other words, everything depends upon the individual.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

My dad still hikes the Appalachian trail sections near his house daily so he's pretty fit and eager. I think this will be very cool.

 

[AdivingBel]

Met a couple at Anthony's Key a few years ago, both in their 80's. They were on their honeymoon and were learning to dive together. As long as you're of sound mind, you're as young as you feel.

 

[EFX]

Some years ago at Haigh quarry an elderly gentleman had a heart attack climbing a ladder to get on the dock after he finished the dive. The moral of that story is unless you are physically fit (i.e. walk several miles a day, do some moderate weight lifting, and get your doctor's approval) do NOT climb ladders with your equipment on. If there are ladders take off your equipment in the water and hand it up to the staff on the boat or friends on the deck. Walking into the water from shore is best and you can even have someone take the tanks and weights down to the water for you. Putting on and taking off the equipment in the water is far easier than walking into and out of the water with the equipment.

If you have some mental disability (ex. alzheimer's, dementia, etc.) this may not necessarily keep you from diving. At the same quarry one day a DiveHeart team was taking a group of mentally challenged youngsters and young adults diving. Two Diveheart divers would attend one client. So, that is an option for your friend or any would-be older diver reading this who has these issues.

 

[Celt]

Brilliant, my friend was 84 when he stopped diving, I think the big thing is not to get cold. Stay dry until you’re getting in the water and dry off as soon as you get out. Congratulations.

 

[boulderjohn]

If you have some mental disability (ex. alzheimer's, dementia, etc.) this may not necessarily keep you from diving. At the same quarry one day a DiveHeart team was taking a group of mentally challenged youngsters and young adults diving. Two Diveheart divers would attend one client. So, that is an option for your friend or any would-be older diver reading this.

Yes, almost all handicapping conditions can be overcome with the right kind of adaptive measures. Blind people dive with proper, well-prepared assistance. I once knew a paraplegic who dived with large, webbed gloves--he only needed help getting into and out of the water.

But you have to find the proper adaptive measures. I was once an assistant working with OW instruction for two teenage autistic children. Autism is a broad spectrum with many levels of disability. I know at least one scuba instructor on that spectrum, and it would not surprise me if some accomplished divers reading this post will have some level of autism. These two children, who were twins, had differing levels. After many sessions, the instructor ultimately decided that the sister could be OW certified, but the brother should never dive without an instructor. He gave him scuba certification and made sure the mother knew how dangerous it would be for him to dive without professional supervision.