Age - Open discussion

[deepairmike]

You know not many people could cave with Forrest and keep up now. Could you imagin what he was like 40 years ago

[Jay]

Ohhhh, that's cruel. But on the other hand, we're ALL getting older, and if you can't make jokes about it, what good are you? Besides, it beats the hell out of the alternative.

Yes, I know I am!! If I am still as active as Forrest when I get there I will be a happy camper!

[Finaddict]

One of the most respected and active cave diving instructors is 70 years old and in amazing shape. Not amazing shape for a 70 year old; amazing shape for a 25 year old!

Good point! He was my instructor also and an inspiration. When I saw the exercise and diet regimen that he uses, I adopted it for myself. (It's really humbling to have someone 25 years your senior run & swim circles around you)

[Me]

Charlie,

Did you get any kind of explanation from the operator on why he wouldn't take out someone over the age of 64? Maybe his insurance? or a knee-jerk atty who wrote his liability waiver?

I know if my buddy was told he couldn't go out because he was 65 he'd be madder than a wet hen..... As I mentioned previously, he's in much better shape than I am and he's 17 yrs my senior. (argh)

Lori

[RHolmesJr]

There are more of old farts around than you'd think. I am 64 and seem to be able to out do most younger whipper snappers most of the time. Sure, you need to be reasonably fit, but technical diving also requires a large dose of common sense which the young in general seem to have misplaced until they seem to find it post 45.

Seriously, a lot of technical diving success in the long term hinges on mental attitude and the ability to access risk. That seems to be an acquired skill set built on years of real life problem solving and not just in diving.

Us old ones may not be the fastest hombres to the gate, but we are more often than not the ones still standing at the end of the run. It is not how fast you can get there, it's that you do indeed get there. Good luck in your endeavors, oh, and don't pick on poor Forrest as he has been to the grave and returned. They wouldn't take him, as he wasn't youg enough

Dale

This is true. I am the young whipper snapper that dives with the old foggies and I am usually the one hitting 1/3's 1st. It's amazing something old and decrepit can look so graceful underwater. ( Sorry guys, I could resist the stab!!!) Oh BTW, it is amazing what you can learn by diving with the old foggies even if they tote their tanks to the water with a cart. HA HA

[sskasser]

This is true. I am the young whipper snapper that dives with the old foggies and I am usually the one hitting 1/3's 1st. It's amazing something old and decrepit can look so graceful underwater. ( Sorry guys, I could resist the stab!!!) Oh BTW, it is amazing what you can learn by diving with the old foggies even if they tote their tanks to the water with a cart. HA HA

Old and decrepit?!?! See if I ever let you dive with me again!!

[Terry D]

Old and decrepit?!?! See if I ever let you dive with me again!!

SSK



Don't take Roger personally. He lacks many social skills plus, I think he was refering to me as the quintessential "old fart" He has not left me alone since I first got mail from AARP (and he wants to borrow my cart!!!)

[MORGAN]

Old and decrepit?!?! See if I ever let you dive with me again!!

This morning, one of my ER nurse buddies who's 64, being teased about being old and decrepit by a young pup, replied: "Old is a fact, but decrepit's your opinion! And you're not old enough to have a valid opinion!"

Mike (51 and holding...)

[MORGAN]

He has not left me alone since I first got mail from AARP

What's with those AARP people? I've been getting mail from them for a year, since I turned 50! Luckily, I pick up my mail at the post office, and there's a blue recycling bin conveniently located by my box so that I can dispose of their missives.

It would be great to be retired so I could dive, cave, do canoe trips, and work in my wood shop full time. But if I want my retirement to include a place to live and food to eat, I've got about 14 years to go...

Fortunately I like my job(s), but I'm sure I could get used to a well-funded early retirement!

Mike

[FW]

Don't take Roger personally. He lacks many social skills plus, I think he was refering to me as the quintessential "old fart" He has not left me alone since I first got mail from AARP (and he wants to borrow my cart!!!)

Cart? What do you do with a cart?