Age and diving

[saltfly]

I was just certified this month, as I approach 50. I did it with my 16 year old daughter, and being in good enough shape to deal with both my diving and her supervision motivated me to lose 17 pounds (8 more to go) and to have begun a pretty active swimming regimen (a mile every other day. But slow - 48 minutes. Man, is it boring! I have to figure out an ipod solution for it).

My diving will be the Keys every month or so, and the Red Sea three times a year (I spend alot of time in Istanbul). I have no desire to do wrecks, deep dives, etc. I'm totally happy to spend my life at 50 feet.

My Question: If I keep the weight off, and keep up at the gym, how many years of safe diving can I look forward to? 5? 10? More?

Thanks.

[cshel]

My dive instructor is pushing 70 and dives all the time....

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by saltfly

I was just certified this month, as I approach 50. I did it with my 16 year old daughter, and being in good enough shape to deal with both my diving and her supervision motivated me to lose 17 pounds (8 more to go) and to have begun a pretty active swimming regimen (a mile every other day. But slow - 48 minutes. Man, is it boring! I have to figure out an ipod solution for it).

My diving will be the Keys every month or so, and the Red Sea three times a year (I spend alot of time in Istanbul). I have no desire to do wrecks, deep dives, etc. I'm totally happy to spend my life at 50 feet.

My Question: If I keep the weight off, and keep up at the gym, how many years of safe diving can I look forward to? 5? 10? More?

Thanks.

Darn... I am already past you by 8...

I think the type of diving needs to change, and you need to work a bit more at it... but if you don't have some serious physical problem... easily into your late 60's.. after that, it is the luck of the draw...

[Capt Hook]

I plan on diving for many more years, DR. says no problem.

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by saltfly

My Question: If I keep the weight off, and keep up at the gym, how many years of safe diving can I look forward to? 5? 10? More?
Thanks.

The following quote from CNN Workd News archives should tell you something:

Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who opened up the mysterious world beneath the sea to millions of landlocked viewers, died Wednesday at age 87.

'nuff said, you youngster!

[bubble-head]

As long as you are in good health, you can dive well into older adulthood. It's a good reason to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

[RECDiver]

Take care of yourself and you can dive for many years. I have a friend who is 71 and still diving and teaching diving. Another who is in his late 60s and is also teaching and diving, including technical diving. Another who is in his mid-60s and still cave diving. I applaud all of them cause it gives me hope I will be diving for another 20+ years.

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by bubble-head

As long as you are in good health, you can dive well into older adulthood. It's a good reason to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

True words indeed! Although I'm only going on 45, I still feel a little old sometimes. SCUBA has given me another reason to stay healthy!

[wheelman]

I have found diving to be a great motivator for staying healthy as well. I hope to dive for a while at only 42.

[abcitydiver]

my father hung his fins up when he reached 82. he's my hero.