Old Divers

[MrsBBC]

My father is well into his 'free bus pass' decade, i.e. 60s and while he has his health I would like to return the favour he did for me when I was 15; that is, take him diving.

When I was 15, he decided that if I really wanted to dive that much, then, as it was something that he had always fancied trying, that he would pay for me to get qualified and learn with me. In my teenage years we completed PADI OW/AOW and completed a handful of UK dives and holiday dives in Greece and Spain. He hasn't dived since I was about 17..

When flights from the UK to Egypt return to a reasonable price again, I fully intend to take him away to Dahab, find him a suitable instructor who can refresh his memory and then spend a week chilling out making leisurely beach dives.

One more grumpy old diver on his way!

Nic

 

[danvolker]

I think there are plenty of 50's and 60's divers that are in "as good or better" shape than the 30-somethings. Most divers do NOT workout to be physically fit, or specifically very fit for diving. Because of this, a diver in their 40's twenty years ago, that adopted a good training regimen as part of their lifestyle, is just going to be more fit that the 30-somethings today that don't workout or train cardio and muscles for diving.

While I don't know many examples of this in the 70 year old group, Frank Hammett was certainly far into the top percentile of fitness and function for divers into his 70's, and I am assuming Tom Mount is still very fit for diving by the "standards" of the masses.

In cycling, there is a guy that rides the big high speed pack rides on A1A--70 person groups averaging 25 to 32 mph for an hour at a time....who is around mid to late 70's...His name in Francouis , he is from Belgium, and not only does he out perform a large percentage of the 30-somethings on these rides, when he walks around, he has the posture of a 30 something....and he is sharp as a tack.

It is not age...it is how long you are LAZY.

 

[drbill]

Those of us old geezers who have not spent our developing years sitting in front of a computer playing video games may well be in better shape than a number of twenty-somethings! Of course when I was a kid PCs had yet to be invented so we had no choice but to spend our free hours outside exercising our bodies and then inside doing old-fashioned things like homework and reading BOOKS (no Kindles back then youngsters).

From what I've seen at the dive park there are a lot of youngsters who can barely carry their kit up the dive park stairs!

 

[Zieg]

Now Dr. Bill, don't be putting down those Kindles. I've got one and I love it. I can carry many more books in less space than ever before. It is actually still reading. Some years ago I overheard a college student talking about how much he liked the movie "Starship Troopers". I asked him how it compared to the book. He gave me an incredibly stupid look. I asked, "you know, the book, written by Heinlein, which I assume the movie is based on .... oh never mind". He then went back to his conversation and explained to his buddies how much he liked science fiction, like Star Wars, Star Trek, Deep Space 9, etc. I realized I'm the idiot.

 

[H2Ocean]

Thanks everyone! All but 1 of these replies are 100% on point! Now I know a description that I created (on SB) for a dive(s) around Palos Verdes wasn't offensive in any way!! The dive is done now, but just the way I added, "all fit and shore experienced divers welcomed." Some stated it excluded them because they were "old." I asked how old they said 45. I almost fell off the chair!! So I added respectfully an old divers category for the dives that would fit anyone's dive style. Then I got nearly threats that so and so could bet me they could out dive,hike me, and how lame I was for puttin up the post, like it was a competition......So I found the Grumpy Old Divers club here in SB. And asked the question here about that post!! I wasn't "calling" anyone old, I was only including "us older divers!!" I dive with 30 yr olds and trust me I see the difference!

One thing from reading these I got real clear, there's a chance you all might beat me if we did races!! ahah But that's alright! What's more important to me is that I now know a pretty good sized group that I can turn to, in the unlikely event I ever start talking myself out of diving because I'm too old, I'm gonna go run with you guys for a while!!

 

[Searcaigh]

I will be 60 next year, but certainly don't feel it.

On yesterday's dive there were 3 younger divers in their early 30s on the boat and myself. On both dives I was last up with a considerable longer bottom time than any of them, although I figure that the only woman in that group could easily keep up with me, perhaps I should have used her as a buddy, but I am sure her husband may have objected.

 

[WetCell]

Frankly, I would not want to go on a dive with a "stupid" group, which would be if I saw a dive event with an age exclusion like that. Acceptable restrictions on events are certs and experience (total and/or recent dives), possibly strength tests; i.e., can you climb up a set of stairs in full gear sort of thing. I would have no problem with an event saying "If you can't ...." then you should not join us.

Diving has very strange similarities with flying. The obvious ones are that they are both very technical, expensive equipment, need for certs and moving in 3D

What we pilots find is that the young hot shots are just that--fast reaction times, smooth moves, lots of stamina, but they can't match the wisdom and experience of us older pilots. Same sort of thing. In the end, can you do what needs to be done?

---------- Post added ----------

I will be 60 next year, but certainly don't feel it.
I figure that the only woman in that group could easily keep up with me, perhaps I should have used her as a buddy, but I am sure her husband may have objected.

I doubt she would have liked to discuss your low SAC with you

---------- Post added ----------

Dr. Bill, you old turd! How have things been going?

(We met briefly at Casino Dive Park a year or so ago)

 

[Merida Divers]

The good thing if any is simply the fact that a lot of us are alive, in shape and well past 60. When I look at statistics and the amount of people seriously overweight and out of shape it is sad. Keep diving and stay in shape kids. We were out on a double wreck boat dive yesterday and this 63 year old diver did most of the work. First dive 30 meters and second dive 18 here in Sunny Qatar. May you all live long and happy, healthy lives and dive, dive, dive.

 

[NAM001]

Dont be intimidated by those "OLD FOLKS" comments. I think that statistics show that over 1/3 of all divers are age 50 and above.. The discussion reminds me of a story of 2 bulls on a hill top, One old and one young, looking down on a field of cows. The young one says, lets run down there and get us one, The old one says lets walk down and get them all.

 

[H2Ocean]

Frankly, I would not want to go on a dive with a "stupid" group, which would be if I saw a dive event with an age exclusion like that. Acceptable restrictions on events are certs and experience (total and/or recent dives), possibly strength tests; i.e., can you climb up a set of stairs in full gear sort of thing. I would have no problem with an event saying "If you can't ...." then you should not join us.

Diving has very strange similarities with flying. The obvious ones are that they are both very technical, expensive equipment, need for certs and moving in 3D

What we pilots find is that the young hot shots are just that--fast reaction times, smooth moves, lots of stamina, but they can't match the wisdom and experience of us older pilots. Same sort of thing. In the end, can you do what needs to be done?

ded ----------



I doubt she would have liked to discuss your low SAC with you

---------- Post added ----------

Dr. Bill, you old turd! How have things been going?

(We met briefly at Casino Dive Park a year or so ago)

I'm not quite sure I get what you're saying wetcell!! there was never an age exlusion "like that" except for 18 might of been mentioned as being a minumum. Nothing was over rated, just suggested by a welcome statement. California divers (i'm going out on another limb here) are pretty relaxed and dive to have fun, do some exploring, not to be a select group of power rangers. Strength test? If you couldn't climb any stairs, and wanted to dive, we'd cart you down, or find a way to dunk you in from a hoist, or a swim step. No Chuck Norris specs here in Calif, just fun!!!!!!!Post