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Post by Joel on Mar 26, 2008 22:07:40 GMT -6
OK, I'm back from my two days of adaptive skiing, and unfortunately it didn't go very well. I tried to use a different, lighter aparatus, and pretty much rolled, fell, dove, and plowed my way down the slopes a couple of times and hurt myself in the process. Crapola! Well, the jacuzzi and wine felt really good that night! The next day I wnet back to my previous bi-ski aled, and did OK, but I had a lousy instructor who didn/t want to let me do much. I guess it's one of those things. Sometimes it just doesn't go as well as other times.
Anyway, I've now decided to get recertified in SCUBA--it's been 25 years since I've done this, but I thought, hey, I don't need to stand up to do this--why didn't I think of this before? Anybody try scuba? Opinions? I think I'm still a good swimmer.
Joel
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Post by ScrapHeap on Mar 27, 2008 11:01:51 GMT -6
That's something I've never attempted. I say, if you feel comfortable trying it then go for it. Even after 25 years it should be mainly a refresher for you. I'd think mainly playing catchup only for any updated regulations and/or more modern equipment. It should also be great for exercise. Near weightlessness with more resistance than air. Should have some cardiovascular and range of motion benefits too!
Sorry to hear about the skiing not going as well as you hoped. But you have a great approach over it. Things going well, badly or not at all is all part of the life experience. Without down, up would be meaningless and useless.
Keep us posted on "The Deep."
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Post by Joel on Mar 27, 2008 22:15:39 GMT -6
Thinking back on the skiing humiliation, it was just so typical. I went out and had a blast a month ago, then left thinking I had it licked. When I came back the second trip, reality hit and I realized how much of a beginner I am at this, and how long I have to go to get any good at it. The same sort of thing happened 25 years ago, when I first learned how to ski. Same ol' me. All in all, the second day was pretty fun, but now it'll be a year before we get back out to do it again. On the scuba front, I found an instructor who is taking me out for a checkout dive in a week or so for $50. Much better price than skiing! You guys that like swimming should really think about going through a certification class. No weight on the feet! Plus, it is a great way to meet people! Mainly because you can't dive alone.
Get out there! Man, I gotta find something else to do besides reading, writing, and otherwise sitting on my arse.
Joel
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Post by grandmasarah on Mar 27, 2008 22:20:34 GMT -6
We went on a trip with friends, who the husband had a stroke. Similar paralysis to a lot of folks here. We went snorkeling. Great fun! We found that the water was a great equalizer for my friend!
Once we were in the water, he was as good as anyone else!
Go for it!
Grandma Sarah
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Post by chickiet on Mar 28, 2008 4:59:35 GMT -6
Let us know how the scuba goes! I'm a poor swimmer (at best), so the thought of any water activity doesn't excite me - I really wish it did, because I've found that overdoing it on land is not so fun.
Example - I spent this past Monday at the White House Easter Egg Roll with my granddaughters (ages 5 and 10 months) and their parents. I decided I'd be the "normal" Nana and stay on my feet and not complain, so that my granddaugther would remember it as a fun time with me. It was a wonderful event - but I'm definitely paying the price - it's Friday and I'm still not back to my current "normal." I'm more numb from the mid-chest down, my feet and legs feel three times heavier and get sharp pains in them, my balance is off, my legs almost give out sometimes, more bowel issues, etc.
Anyway - I need to figure out something that will work for me to help me be active but not do me in at the same time.
Sorry to change the subject - I definitely want to hear how the scuba goes!
Chris
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Post by Joel on Mar 28, 2008 18:02:16 GMT -6
OK, I'll follow your lead out to another topic--I bought this golf-chair, with a strap on it, so when I go out to stuff like that, I can stop, unfold this little 3-legged stool, and sit, wherever I am. It has been a real life saver!
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Post by chickiet on Mar 29, 2008 5:50:30 GMT -6
Joel - that is a great idea - I will definitely look into that!
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Post by astrouk on Apr 9, 2008 12:38:41 GMT -6
Anyway, I've now decided to get recertified in SCUBA--it's been 25 years since I've done this, but I thought, hey, I don't need to stand up to do this--why didn't I think of this before? Anybody try scuba? Opinions? I think I'm still a good swimmer. Joel Hi Joel, I have been an active scubadiver for many years too. I got back to scuba in 5 months after surgery. I live in SFBA, so I have done most of my dives in Monterey,CA area. I guess you can get back to scuba, but you have to remember that scubadiving can be a pretty strenuous activity, if you do it in cold waters. It can be bad for your back mostly because of the weight of the diving equipment. Cold water requires a thicker wetsuit or a drysuit, hence more lead for compensation etc. However, warm water tropical diving can be much easier for you... I mean take it easy:) Avoid shorediving too especially if there is any surf. Btw, deep diving really helps me to ease my back pain if I have any. Probably it is caused by healing power of hyperbaric oxygen and cold water or maybe it is just a nitrogen narcosis:) (feels like a shot of vodka at 140 feet) Alex |
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Post by Joel on Apr 10, 2008 15:49:59 GMT -6
Well, I have been thinking about whether or not to even discuss my scuba experience this past Sunday. But here goes: It was BAD! Even so, I'm glad I attempted it. Foolish me though, my planning was, well, incredibly naive and hasty.
I will digress: I became certified in scuba 25 years ago. In the past 20 years, I've been once, not long after my first SCT surgery 12 years ago. A couple of weeks ago, I got this great idea to get up and going in scuba again, so I contacted a local instructor and arranged for a check-out dive last Sunday at Lake Mead (in 55F water). We took his boat out to an island cove in the lake, and put on full wetsuit gear, including hood and socks. I felt and moved like Frankenstein. When I got into the water, I had a hard time moving and could not sink, even with 30 pounds of lead on my vest! So, here I was, thrashing around, unable to even get vertical in the water! I came close to "freaking out", my instructor DID freak out (wondering what the heck I had gotten him into), so then and there, I decided to bag the whole thing.
It took me a couple of days to get past the idea that I am just some old gimpy guy, who is totally out of his league when it comes to anything outside of reading a good book, listening to good music, or lifting a good glass of wine...
In retrospect, starting from square one with a group of beginners in a swimming pool would have been the way to go. On a warm sunny day. In warm water.
Still, I'm wiser for the experience, even if my wallet is quite a bit leaner. Maybe snorkeling is more my cup of tea these days. Maybe I am that gimpy old guy. I feel a strong hankerin' for a good movie comin' on. Or a book. With a glass of wine...
Wait'll I tell youze guys about my next adventure coming up!
Joel
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Post by mak164 on Apr 10, 2008 16:22:37 GMT -6
Hats off to you for trying, and for sharing that with everyone.
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