Luis_DLH
Registered
Finished my AOW cert dives this weekend in a quarry. Air temp was 37F with wind chill of 31F, water temp according to dive computer was 42F. On day two we did our Deep Dive followed by a wreck dive. On our deep dive we went through a large swim-through about 15 feet below our current depth. Upon descending and entering the swim through I started experiencing heavy breathing and the beginning of panic. Coming up through the swim through it took about 15-20 seconds being stationary and the feeling completely subsided. This was very unusual for me because my mind was clear and I had gone through swim-throughs much tighter than that before. We concluded the dive without issue. Now, on our second dive (the wreck dive) we descended to about 65-70 feet and the same feeling came back. This time I ascended about 15 feet and it went away immediately. This was when it hit me that at that depth there was a second thermocline and my body reacted by rapid heavy breathing. This was an important lesson learned realizing that this is a reflex my body has when hitting water that cold. I was in a full 8.5 mil wetsuit with hood and gloves. Thankfully I was with a great instructor and we got through both dives without incident and I am now AOW certified! Next step...Dry Suit Diver class!