Age - Open discussion

[Coconutrhumb]

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?


Lori

After starting this thread I called the Operator again to re-asses his stand on age and it seems he himself chose to quit tec diving and stated that he did not want any bad publicity for his business by having a fatal incident aboard his boat... he stated that he no longer takes old people out on tech dives but later in the conversation he admitted to having older customers from up north that he takes out each year. He defends that by saying he knows them.

My son has a boat and today we dove the new wreck "Miss Lourdies" that they sunk off Deerfield Beach last week. Not a tec dive but he wanted to expierence a "fresh" wreck. We were only about 3 miles from the Hydro Atlantic which is a tec dive so we plan to go back as soon as we can. I have a 34' Diesel Trawler and can take that out but she is so slow and not trailerable so I am limited to local sites unless i go with him. We will be in Key Largo on the 4th of July diving the Speigle and Duane and hope to do the Northern Light. Had to leave the Keys 3 days before they sunk the Vandenberg last month so she is waiting for us to visit her when we get the chance... you know, I guess I really don't need that Operator. I was mad at first about his attitude and opinion, but I'm over it now, Especially now that I see how most of the dive community feels about the subject of age and diving. It's how I felt myself so it's comforting to know I am not alone.

Thanks everyone for your input and kind considerations... Hope to meet some of you in cave country soon.

[Squirrel Girl]

he admitted to having older customers from up north that he takes out each year. He defends that by saying he knows them.

See? That's what I suggested, building a relationship. But I still think I wouldn't do it with that guy!

[stairman]

I know Jacques Cousteau died at age 87. Im not sure if he dived up to that point but was diving very close to the end of his life.

[runawaylobster]

Sure, for the 6th time since I met you!

nope I promise I have only had one 25th ..

If only I knew at 25 what I know now..... !!!

LL

[BobK]

If only I knew at 25 what I know now..... !!!

LL

Jeez, Les, I'd like to remember now what I knew at 25 !

[runawaylobster]

Jeez, Les, I'd like to remember now what I knew at 25 !

don't worry Bob, maybe remembering what you knew (or did!) at 25 is not the wisest thing ..

I read today at work that a woman has a 32% chance of living until she is 90!!

[cavediver27]

don't worry Bob, maybe remembering what you knew (or did!) at 25 is not the wisest thing ..

I read today at work that a woman has a 32% chance of living until she is 90!!

That's the "glass is half full" attitude which is best way to always look at life.

Others may take that information to mean you have a 68% chance of not making it to 90 which sounds a whole lot more depressing.

[Squirrel Girl]

So, did ya'll hear on the news how HW Bush went sky diving to celebrate his 85th?

They asked Dubya what he planned to do to stay in shape for his 85th and he replied "mountain biking." It would be an understatement to say I wasn't a fan of Dubya, but I do connect with him over the mountain biking thing. Apparently when he was prez, the secret service wouldn't let him off the double track in case something happened and rescue squads had to retrieve him. Now he can go wild on the singletrack!

[SlowDiver]

I just found this thread and though I would make a comment. I am 63 and still do the so call "tech" dives. I have been diving since 1965 and started out in the caves in my home town in South GA. I have backed off on the deep 300 ft. dives mainly because of the long deco but will not think twice if you ask me to go to the 200 ft. range. I have dove with Tom Mount who is older than me and he is still very active. I have gone to a rebreather tho because of the weight on my back.

Safe Diving
Fred

[Coconutrhumb]

I ride a mountain bike regularly

I'm usually in Eagles Nest (275'-295') at least once a month and sometimes more (I was just diving there yesterday).

I am betting by your location (North Central Florida) and your interest in mountain biking you must frequent Santos. Am I right? I've biked there several times and find it a very good work out. I especially like the practice area set up way in the back. If my memory serves that area is called "the Vortex) and I am also betting by your frequent visits to Eagles Nest I would guess that you haven't missed Alifia River. Would I still be right? Just in case you have missed either or both of those places I would have to say they are probably the best mountain biking your going to find in Florida and probably the best on the east coast of the US. I have been to Tsali in North Carolina (hard to beat those trails) but with the exception of screeming downhills and beautiful scenery and views Santos and Alafia both beat Tsali.

I've only done Eagle's Nest once. That said, I would like it very much if you would PM me some time with an occasional dive report on the Nest. I dive from a rather large RV and can't get back in there with that but if the viz is still good this time of the year I'd arrange to either take a truck ride over there or tow a truck with me.

I wouldn't mind sometime ending up at the Nest the same time as you. Maybe even doing the North Creek and Roller Coaster trails at Alafia the next day.