Total Newbie

[dzldoc]

Hi from Minnesota

Just signed up for the open water course
Heard even fat old guys can do this. Hope that's true

[lemonquist]

my dad is a fat old guy. he does his check out dives this sunday. he's in terrible shape (i keep bugging him to exercise) but he manages. just try to stay relaxed and within your limits. and have fun!

[kev99]

Hey dzldoc,

The hardest part you should encounter in your OW class is the swim! Good luck, relax and enjoy it.

[medicdiver]

You'll be fine. I have seen some 300 pounders' diving and they had no probems that I know of.

[DivingsInMyBlood]

Welcome matey, hope you have fun with your OW

[lemonquist]

Originally Posted by medicdiver

You'll be fine. I have seen some 300 pounders' diving and they had no probems that I know of.

My dad is about 6'2, 250. He needs a lot of time to get down the stairs to the beach in his gear, but everything's a lot lighter in the water

[Big Mike]

Don't worry about old and fat.........I started diving when Methusula was an infant....don't forget BALD TOO!

[Bert]

welcome to the pond..

[RoadRacer1978]

Welcome aboard Dzldoc. You will be fine, don't worry. The most important part of diving, after being safe, is to have fun. As you go along in your course, feel free to ask questions here. We will all be happy to help you along. You can also look around. You will find alot of good information here. Some will help you now, and some will make more sense later on, but it will always be here when you need it.

[CaribbeanDiver]

I guess, I am the spoilsport here but I think you should get in shape before trying to undertake activities that are inheritedly dangerous and physically demanding.
IF, and that is a big if, you get certified and stick only to shallow, short dives, then maybe, and that is a big maybe, you will be fine. But, if you go on medium risk dives, such as 80,90, or even 100 foot dives then your chances of safety diminish if you are not in decent physical shape.
I am not talking tip top shape but moderately in shape. Good cardiovascular conditioning is very important in this sport. Being able to handle the gear on land before and after the dive is important and being in decent shape is very important as it impacts the quality of your surface intevals between dives.
Lest you forget, your safety, abilities and physical capabilities or lack thereof are factors for your buddy as well as for you. Just as your life support gear is your buddies' life support gear, and his/her gear is yours, physical abilities and the capability to tolerate stress is equally your buddies and his/hers are yours.
Congratulations on your decision to go diving and get certified. The beauty and splendor we see on dives is simply amazing. I compare it to space travel, we wear special suits so we can sustain life in atmospheres that are ordinarily life unsustainable. We see things not ordinarily seen. We have limited time to take these treks into the danger zone and we take steps to insure our safety-- training, gear, etc.
Consider getting in shape part of your training, it IS a necessary step.
As for old, well, lots of old people dive and if they are in decent shape the risks increase but not as much as they would if they were not in shape.
Older people should be in shape moreso than younger people. Part of the price for being old and wise.