Why the 7 out of 10 affects you?

In the previous installment, we came to grips with the sour reality of divers and fitness.  With seeven out of ten divers being overweight or obese we are not, as a collective, role models of health and fitness.

So what? - You may think – How does this concern the diver who just wants to have a good time?

We all want to have a good time but we cannot eliminate the possibility Murphy will make his appearance. To put it in numbers, if you are in a ten-pac boat, the statistics show that should an emergency arise, seven out of those ten divers may not be able to cope with the physical demands brought up by stressful circumstances. That means you may be the one performing the rescue or worse yet, those seven divers may not have the physical capacity to assist you or your buddy should you be the ones requiring assistance.

We can never completely eliminate the possibility something will go wrong but we can minimize its presence and consequences through skill training and by becoming physically fit divers.  A fit diver is a tremendous asset as an individual and as a team member.

The third weekend of May 2011 was a dark one for our community as many fellow divers made their last dive without knowing it.  The challenges of the underwater world are inherently numerous; we do not need to add to them by neglecting our physical fitness.

 Now that I have your attention and we agree how important it is for us to be in shape, we are finally ready to get started.  In upcoming segments I’ll be sharing fitness tips, exercises and remove the excessive noise from your fitness journey.  Until next time, happy training and safe diving. ■

Israel A. Sanchez, AKA Coach Izzy, is Bainbridge Island’s top strength & conditioning expert. The incredible results his clients experience are the combination of his nearly 2 decades of active learning and his dedication to those who seek his help. His ability to help people riddled with pain find relief and achieve fitness levels they never thought possible make him the most respected fitness professional in the area.