DH wants to learn to dive. Should he?

[Grits53]

What are the medical restrictions for scuba diving? DH is 56 and weighs about 250 - 260 at 6' tall. He has high blood pressure, which is controlled with meds. He has frequent sinus problems. He has liver disease. He had his spleen removed after being kicked by a horse 30 years ago, so he has an abdominal scar that is about a foot long. He has arthritis, which affects his knees and back. He has some other back problems, degenerating disks and such.

 

Despite all this, he is very physically active, doing hard work on our large farm 365 days a year. He goes to a local Dr. that I consider to be a quack, and this guy would sign anything that DH asked him to, whether it would be a good thing for him or not. :rolleyes: So getting a Dr.'s permission would not be the problem. I want to hear from experienced divers. Should he sign up for scuba lessons, or not? :confused:

Thanks.

[Dive Master]

Your husband will probably be required to have medical clearance before enrolling in scuba classes and it is a very good idea.

 

Lots of people still think that divers need to be 25 year old Navy SEALS and being in great physical condition is a good thing.I wish that was me!

I am 48,overweight,and have a hsitory of heart disease in the family. I have survived Melanoma and I certainly am not ready to run a marathon.

I dive every weekend May through October.Most of my dives are 100 feet or deeper and most are done solo.I was really surprized that my doctor told me I was cleared to dive and help with classes. Mr doctor is also a diver and he told me I could just as easily have a heart attack sitting on the couch watching a football game as I could while diving.Of course if that heart attack happens 160 feet down on a solo dive, you are a "goner".My thought is you are gonig to die doing something--might as well be doing something you love!

 

If your Husband wants to dive and is cleared medically, I say Go for It! I wish I had learned 25 years ago.

[Grits53]

Your husband will probably be required to have medical clearance before enrolling in scuba classes and it is a very good idea.

 

Lots of people still think that divers need to be 25 year old Navy SEALS and being in great physical condition is a good thing.I wish that was me!

I am 48,overweight,and have a hsitory of heart disease in the family. I have survived Melanoma and I certainly am not ready to run a marathon.

I dive every weekend May through October.Most of my dives are 100 feet or deeper and most are done solo.I was really surprized that my doctor told me I was cleared to dive and help with classes. Mr doctor is also a diver and he told me I could just as easily have a heart attack sitting on the couch watching a football game as I could while diving.Of course if that heart attack happens 160 feet down on a solo dive, you are a "goner".My thought is you are gonig to die doing something--might as well be doing something you love!

 

If your Husband wants to dive and is cleared medically, I say Go for It! I wish I had learned 25 years ago.

 

Thanks for the info. As I said, the Dr.'s clearance would not be an issue, as he would sign anything DH asked him to. He's a real quack, IMHO. :rolleyes: I just want to be sure this isn't going to be dangerous for DH. Well, any more dangerous than it would be for anyone else, I guess I mean!

 

He wants me to do this, too, but I'm pretty "iffy" about it. We went down 30' on an underwater scooter excursion, and I loved that! But I'm not so sure I would be comfortable going any deeper 30'. Hmmmm..... Could it be that I'm looking for reasons that DH can't do this, since I don't really want to? :o We always do things together, so what he does, I do. :cool: But seriously, I am concerned about something going wrong for him. I've had him for almost 37 years now, and I'd like to keep him at least a few more! ;)

[JABTPS]

Contrary to the previous posting, you should never dive solo. Going past that, I would recommend taking a resort class with a doctor's permission that would give him exposure to the basic rules of diving and then an escorted dive to about 30 to 40 feet where he can test the waters to see if he enjoys it. If this turns out to be a great experience, he could then proceed to a full scuba diving course. One of the most difficult parts of diving is equalizing pressure in the ears. If he can't accomplish that, it would be safe to say that diving his not his cup of tea.

 

One other option is to try Snuba which is an introductory style, but you don't have to strap on a tank on your back.:D

[Dive Master]

A couple of thoughts:

 

1 Taking a Resort or Discover Scuba class is a good idea to see if you like diving.It would also let your Husband see if his sinus problems would allow him to clear his ears---as the previous poster mentioned.Many dive shops offer a discover scuba expereince in their pools for a very cheap price to let you try it.

 

2 Anyone who is not comfortable with the idea of learning to scuba dive should not do it.Scuba is something you have got to want to learn.Foricing it on someone usually does not work out very well.My wife is afraid of diving. While I would love for her to get certified there is no way I am going to force it on her.She did not like it in the pool---doubt if she is going to like it 30 miles off shore!!!!

 

3 "Never dive alone" The second thing new divers are taught--good advice too until you are well trained and extremely confident in your abilities and gear.SDI now offers a Solo Cerification.Most everyone on our local dive charter dives solo.Most are very experieced Deep Technical Divers.I have logged 398 dives.I am usually one of the least experienced divers on the boat.I am a Dive Master.I carry redundant everything--pony bottle,3 cutting tools,3 lights,dive alerts, safety sausages,etc.My main reg and my reg on my pony bottle are very good quality, made for cold water diving, and recieve regular service.I stay in an area I am familiar and comfortable with and have very gradually increased my depth range so I am familiar with how nitrogen narcosis will effect me.If I screw up it is all on me to fix it---I know this and accept the responsibility.SDI requires 100 logged dives for their solo course.With any dive you are ultimately responsible for you!!!!If an experieced, certified diver is not comfortable doing the dive solo I question if they should do the dive at all. Is a good, expereiced buddy an asset---absolutely.Is some idiot you met 5 minutes ago on a dive boat an asset? Could be or could be the "great Andrea Doria wreck diver" I got teamed up with in Bermuda. I had the priviledge of rescuing him twice--- putting myself at risk to help someone who had no business in the water!!!!!

 

If your Husband wants to learn, make sure he finds a great instructor and remember "Good divers are always learning".

[w&k]

As our previous posters have stated, there is absolutely no requirement that divers today be young super-fit Navy seal types. However, those types are quite decorative on the boat, and I LOVE humiliating them on air compares. ;)

 

Personally, I'm a bit over 40, round (5-6", 250+), out of shape, drive a desk for a living, have sinus problems (pass the sudafed), have a trick knee, and smoke cigarettes like a fiend. My hubby is just under 50, very large, (6'5", 290lbs), in great shape, but constantly monitors for Type II Diabetes and high blood pressure.

 

We both love to dive, and are good divers (humble, too ;)). I have 350+, he has 250+. However, we don't do deep or hairy stuff anymore, mainly because I'm too lazy and my knee is too creaky to get bounced around.

 

The first 30 feet is the hard part, and you have handled that, So... I say GO FOR IT!!!! We need more lady sharks around.

 

Another note just between us girls... There is definitely something extra-wonderful about the tang of salt water and neoprene for that after-dive smooch. He's my husband and best friend, but even better, he's my absolutely perfect dive buddy!

 

Have a great time, and welcome to the addiction!

 

Wendy

 

dive pix

http://community.webshots.com/user/wendyandkeith

 

website

http://www.freewebs.com/wendyandkeith

 

In St. Lucia, diving at the Pitons

 

[mamasue]

Yes I think he should go for it.... maybe try a Discover Scuba Diving first, just to see if he's ok underwater.

I did this on a vacation 6 years ago... tried it,just for something to do, and loved it..... 2 years after, I was a PADI diving instructor, living and working in the beautiful Red Sea , in Egypt!!

No... I'm not young..... I was 49 when I did my first dive.... now at the grand old age of 57, I've got almost 3,000 dives under my belt!!!

Don't worry.... diving is a very safe sport, if a person is properly trained, and follows all the rules.... diving accidents happen when people think they are better than the system.

[scuba idcs]

yes, a discover scuba class would be the first suggestion. for both of you. his weight isn't a problem as long as he can get himself in and out of the water! he will always have to have a doctor sign him off before diving. it's the sinus problem you said he had that could bother him. i'm almost 62, i started diving when i was 52 and i hit 1,000 dives this june. you should at least try it. if you are a decent swimmer, not especially afraid of fish, and love the idea of just sitting on the bottom and watching the fish go by......give it a try.

[Grits53]

Thanks for the input. It is reassuring to hear that there are others with similar bodies & "conditions" who have no trouble diving. Hmmmm...... Maybe if he or we get into this, I'll get that swimming pool I've always wanted.....gotta practice, ya know. ;)