It's not entirely clear to me how a neck injury precludes walking in gear that is hanging from your shoulders -- but I get the "gear too heavy to manage" thing. You're a relatively new diver, as I recall; it does get better. It's quite possible to build a tremendous amount of additional strength, even at our age. When I took my open water class, I could not climb out of the pool with an Al50 on my back. I now climb a couple of flights of ladder (not kidding) with double tanks. Slowly and carefully, but I do it. You can get stronger.
I apologize if this is a repeat of another post, but I tend to agree with TS&M here. I too am approaching 60, dive primarily in the Great Lakes and exclusively wear double steels, a drysuit and haul a 30# camera around with me. I too have a gimpy neck, crippled wrist, chronically sore back (wonder why), and pull myself back into my RIB (without tanks of course). I certainly don't expect anyone on a charter to have to schlepp my crap for me.
Chicagolady, if you're having trouble with the gear, then respectfully, get thee to the gym and begin a weight-training program! Diving can be a strenuous activity and if you aren't up to the rigors of it, you should probably consider taking up bridge.
I know in my case (I will be 59 in November) I am certainly finding diving more strenuous and tiring as the years go by. I did three dives today, each in the 130' to 150' range, in 41°F water. I'm beat, and ready to go to bed! (That's why I didn't read every post in the thread!) None-the-less, I have just ordered a new drysuit, and have every expectation of continuing diving for at least another 10 years here, before a limit my diving to the Caribbean!
I mean no disrespect... being strong and fit are critical for diving. Because the "sport" doesn't require fitness 99.9% of the time, I believe it attracts older people more and more, as well as obese and out of shape people. However, when the excrement hits the oscillator, those that aren't prepared pay the price. I am aware of two fatalities in the past few weeks in these parts of older, unfit divers dieing of heart attacks.
I should add (and in case I have completely misunderstood the situation) but if you are a tiny wiff, then making sure that the dive operation has the right size of gear helps too. Mrs Stoo is 5'3", 100# on a "fat" day. Before we go someplace where we don't take our own gear, we inquire about, and reserve if possible, a smaller tank. An AL 80 comes down to her knees on land, so if the shop has a 65 or something, it really helps. Similarly, she has worked hard to reduce the lead she carries by really working on her buoyancy skills. I think she wears 8# of lead in a 5mm suit and hooded vest, down south. She also has trouble climbing ladders though, due to a skiing injury years ago. If the ladder isn't great, she doesn't hesitate to ask for some help, and she has never received anything but helpful cooperation.
Good luck, but get on that weight machine!
