SAFETY continued
Dive into Dr. Alex Brylske’s Book: BENEATH THE BLUE PLANET When these arise, the safest course is to stop diving until evaluated, consult a physician knowledgeable in diving medicine (or coordinate between a neurologist or geriatrician and a dive medicine specialist), and be honest and thorough about symptoms, dive history, and goals. Stepping back tem- There are also dive-specific ways to support the aging brain. Dry runs or dynamic rehearsals of emergency procedures, such as mask removal and replacement and sharing breathing gas, practiced slowly and deliberately on land, build muscle memory and reduce cognitive load underwater. Quiet mental rehearsal before a dive helps as well: “If my mask floods at 80 feet, I’ll stop, stabilize buoyancy, clear it slowly, signal my buddy if needed, and reassess.” After each dive, a brief, honest self-debrief can reveal trends: did you feel mentally sharp, did anything confuse or surprise you that shouldn’t have, did you forget any steps or checks? Patterns over time are more informative than any single dive. At some point, most older divers adapt how they dive. That might mean focusing on shallower sites, eliminating overhead environments, or choosing simpler conditions. It may mean stepping away from teaching or leading. Very rarely, it may mean stepping away from diving entirely. Certain red flags require medical evaluation and serious re- consideration of diving. These include getting lost or disoriented on simple, familiar dive sites repeatedly; repeatedly forgetting critical safety procedures or how to operate essential equipment; episodes of confusion, disorientation, or not recalling portions of a dive; noticeable deterioration in day-to-day memory, judgment, or orientation on land; and strong concern expressed independently by multiple dive buddies or family members.
porarily to clarify the situation is far better than pushing forward into a preventable accident. Many of the best dives I’ve witnessed were not the deepest, longest, or most technically complex. They were slow, controlled, observant dives where divers took their time, stayed well within their limits, and came up smiling with plenty of breathing gas to spare. Older divers bring enormous value to the diving community: their judgment and calm, their respect for procedure, their appreciation of small un- derwater details, and their willingness to plan ahead and share experience. Cognitive change is part of the same continuum as reduced flexibility or slower fin kicks. Recognize it early, plan for it thoughtfully, and build habits and margins that support it. With deliberate adaptation, many divers continue to dive safely and enjoyably well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond. Diving has always been about managing risk, not eliminating it, and doing so in a way that lets us keep enjoying the un- derwater world. As you age, you haven’t outgrown that re- sponsibility; you’ve grown into it. Dive within your true limits, not your remembered ones. Put structure around your experience. Talk openly with your buddies and your dive professionals. In doing so, you not only protect yourself, you help define what safe, successful lifelong diving can look like. Additional Reading: Orr, D. and Orr, B. 101 Tips for Recre-
ational Scuba Divers. 2023. Best Publishing Com- pany. Orr, D. and Douglas, E. Scuba Diving Safety. 2017. Best Publishing Company. Orr, D. Diving Safety articles in Scuba Diving Industry Magazine (www.scubadivingindustry.com).
email Dan Orr
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