age limits

Question
Hi Mike. I am 60 years old and am considering taking a scuba course before my holiday in Malta in June.I used to jog 3 miles three times a week until 6 months ago when I tore a muscle in my left arch and have had to stop running.Consequentley I am not as fit as I was.Is my age and lack of condition a barrier to taking up scuba?

Answer
Hi John

I'm pleased to hear that you're considering taking up the sport of Scuba Diving.  You are definitely not too old to do it.  There is no upper age limit for scuba diving.  While physical fitness is definitely an asset it doesn't mean that you have to be an olympian!!  Several of our students have had to contend with a variety of physical limitations including loss of limbs, partial blindness and a limited ability to walk.  In light of that, your arch problems are trivial!!  Go for it!!  

On the serious side, I would suggest that you have a physician knowledgeable in diving medicine review your latest physical exam to be sure that you don't have any potential problems which could hamper your diving activities.  It is important that you have healthy cardiovascular and respiratory systems.  From what you have told me, I suspect that you won't have any problems in these areas.  

Another concern would be the evaluation of any prescription medications you may be taking.  Some drugs have adverse side effects when the body is subjected to the water pressures experienced while diving.  If your physician isn't experienced in diving medicine, he/she may not know of the various interrelated forces involved with scuba diving.  Obviously, it's not just a matter of putting your head under the water.  

I suggest that you go to my website, mikescuba.com, and locate a Divers Alert Network (DAN) logo link.  DAN is on the leading edge of diving medicine and is located in the Duke University Medical Center.  From DAN's website, you can find a lot of general diving medical information and you can actually call DAN for a list of diving knowledgeable physicians in your area. You can also discuss specific conditions with a live (and certified) diving medicine specialist.  This is at no charge to you other than the cost of a phone call.

John, I'm certainly not trying to cause any anxiety but it's important that you can assure yourself (and your instructor) that you won't encounter any UNEXPECTED physical limitations.  You will probably be required to fill out and sign a medical release as part of your scuba course.  It will ask you specific questions which will be used as a guide to evaluating your physical condition as it relates to scuba diving.  

You can also check with your instructor before you sign up for the course and ask if they will provide you with copy of the medical questionnaire to use as a guide in evaluating your physical condition.  We do it all the time and I'm sure your instructor will accommodate you.

In conclusion, John, I think you are an excellent candidate for Scuba certification.  Get checked out and jump in with both feet!!

By the way, at 60 years of age, you're still a "kid"!!  I'm 62 and still at it!!

Keep me posted, John, I'd like to know how you do!!

Happy Diving!!

Mike Giles
Mike's Dive Center
mikescuba.com