Am I too old to get certified?

[inked59]

NEVER TOO OLD to DIVE!!! Go for it. Go slow and let your ears adjust naturally. There are good instructors out there who can give you tips on conquering this glitch. Remember clear your ears often and descend slowly!

 

[Lee Taylor]

I am 57. We do have concerns that younger divers generally are not aware of.

Physically, I found diving to be much easier 15yrs ago. Although, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually I find diving much easier today.

Lugging the heavy gear around the world, just doesn't get easier as time passes. The tanks seem to get heavier every year. Staggering on a rocking boat while fully dressed out is more cause for concern these days. Hanging onto the rear of a boat in choppy seas is always a bit of a challenge. Climbing the boat ladders is not as easy and quick as it use to be.

I have met 65 and 70 yr old women on dive boats. Their primary concern is bouncy boat rides. They cant and wont tolerate it. They wait for smooth seas to go diving.

It's a wonderful sport and I love it. I hope to continue diving for a while yet.

Hope this posting provides some items to be cognizant of.

Here are some pics and video clips from my dive offshore Boynton Beach FL this past weekend

We "drift" dove reefs named: The Gazebo, Lynn's, Black Condo, Gulf Stream, and the Clubhouse. Water temp 80 degrees. Depth 60-80 feet. Two miles offshore. Slow "drift" dive in the Gulf Steam. Excellent reef system. Tons of sea life. Lots of coral growth.

Enjoy!

 

[scubamama5]

58 old??? Hey... I resemble that remark... (actually I'm older)

Being pulled down..on a dive is sssoooo WRONG!!
Never should have happened...but it did.

Just go...get yourself checked out..ENT for sure....a complete physical would be nice.

(here's to Ya...and to a clean bill of health)

 

[Walter]

58 is not old.

 

[deepwater]

You better hurry up and get certified, I think the age cut off is 150. Get cleared by a good ENT and get back in the water.

 

[TSandM]

I was 51 when I got certified. I'm 56 now, certified cave and technical diver, and divemaster. I do find schlepping gear to be challenging, as I have arthritis in my hands and knees, but I go slowly and get the job done.

The biggest concerns about older divers (and 58 ain't old) are health issues. If you are of normal weight and are moderately active otherwise (run or walk or work out) you probably won't have any issues diving. If you are overweight, inactive, smoke, have a strong family history for heart disease, or other medical issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you should probably have a medical evaluation before diving. Not to scare you off, but a lot of diving deaths appear to be occurring in somewhat older divers and for cardiovascular causes.

As far as your ears go, there are great resources for learning how to equalize pressure and avoid trauma. HERE is the video that was mentioned. HERE is an article from the freediving literature on equalization techniques. And HERE is an excellent PDF from the Diver's Alert Network folks, with diagrams you can peruse at leisure.

Good luck with this -- diving is incredible fun.

 

[fnfalman]

A lady in my class three years ago was 60.

 

[Hotpuppy]

From what I'm reading the bigger issue is making sure you get the ear checked out. While you were lucky, I have to point out that diving without proper training is extremely dangerous.

Find an instructor you are comfortable with. Find a class that moves at a pace you like. Some shops and classes run a certification marathon. Being older you might want a bit more time to study, and might not be in a huge hurry in the pool and at the lake or open water site. Diving is about having fun and doing it at your own pace.

As an older prospective diver you should undergo a full physical to make sure you don't have any medical issues which might make diving more dangerous for you. Very little will preclude you from diving, but it's important to learn as much as possible so you can minimize risks and maximize enjoyment.

Diving rewards being lazy.... there is no need to speed swim underwater, so it's a great sport no matter the age. Just please get the proper training and certification so you can do it safely.

 

[mfolsom]

Another vote for not too old. I turned 59 in April and finished my OW/Nitrox certs last weekend. If you can physically do more than channel surf your TV and the doctor says you're good and then go for it. As far as equalization goes, watch the video on this site Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page It helped me figure it out.

 

[Randy43068]

I better question would be, am I healthy enough to dive??