“Someday,” you may have told yourself, “I’m going to learn to SCUBA dive.” You spent countless hours working to secure your retirement, or you’re still working, wondering if you will be too old when the time for lessons finally comes. The good news is that so long as you can pass a physical, swim, and take instructions from someone who may be many years younger than you are, you can probably learn to dive. While there are some limiting factors, today’s equipment and gas mixes make diving at recreational depths easy for just about anyone. Let’s take a closer look.
Tips for Mature Dive Students
The same rules that apply to other divers apply to you. You’ll need to pay close attention to instructions, and whatever you may think you know about diving, you’ll need to focus on what instructors are telling you. There are health risks involved, and instructors are liable for your safety to a certain extent while you’re learning to dive. Don’t take it personally if they act a bit like mother hens; they’re simply ensuring you stay safe. Here are more useful tips to keep in mind as you learn to dive.
Tip One: Don’t Wait – It’s Never Too Early to Learn to Dive
The older you let yourself get, the lower your chances of making it to some of the world’s best, most challenging dive sites. As your body ages, you need to be more careful. Becoming qualified is less time consuming than you might think, and no matter where you live, there are probably places nearby where you can work on your skills, including lakes and quarries that have been transformed into dive sites. Go dive. Just do it.
Tip Two: Don’t Fall Victim to Learning Curves
As with everything else, there’s a learning curve associated with diving. Don’t let a perceived lack of skill stop you from doing your best as you learn. Some people are naturals, while others come in at the opposite end of the spectrum. Most people are somewhere in the middle.
Tip Three: Don’t Be Embarrassed
Don’t be afraid to ask for help or clarification if you need it. Instructors are happy to provide assistance to anyone who needs it; and by showing that you have a desire to understand well, you are simply proving that you have the potential to be a safe, well-informed diver.
Tip Four: Be Open Minded
Yes, you might be three times as old as your instructor; and you might feel funny taking tips from someone decades younger than you are. All instructors must pass skills tests to get to where they are, and they won’t lead you astray. Park your ego at the door, and pretend you are back in grade school. Don’t worry – this won’t last long.
Tip Five: Relax
Relax and enjoy the experience of diving. The entire point of the sport is to have fun, see new things, and meet new people. Professionals working as dive instructors, tour guides, and dive masters do their best to help you have a great experience, but it’s up to you to relax and let the magic happen.
You’re never too old to dive. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you might have, and if you’re still waiting to take lessons, watch your weight, participate in physical fitness activities, and live a healthy lifestyle. Staying active helps to keep you feeling your best for more years; once you’re qualified, a whole new world will open up to you. Have fun, and stay safe.