Warm Water Diving?

[Altamira]

The average American diver probably dives less than a handful of dives on a tropical vacation after certification.

I would bet the average American diver, regardless of home location or cold/warm water availability, either stops diving, or only dives a handful of days every year or less after certification. I would also bet fewer new divers want to dive in cold water that is less comfortable and more of a hassle.

 

[iangood]

Thanks for the advice all. Looking forward to monitor my air consumption when I get to experience my first warm water dive!
~Ian

 

[Dan]

You're running out of earthly spots. Sea of Tranquility next?

Still haven’t gone to Sardin Run in your home country, diving in Sundan, French Polynesia, Fiji, Philippines (other than Cebu). Let me know if you want to join me in any of those places.

 

[tridacna]

Still haven’t gone to Sardin Run in your home country, Sundan, French Polynesia, Fiji, Philippines (other than Cebu). Let me know if you want to join me in any of those places.

I’d love to! I’m doing Little Cayman, Statia, Chuuk, Sharm, RA and Seychelles next year. Definitely have to coincide soon. Want to do Madagascar at some point too. Just because.

 

[Centrals]

Thanks for the advice all. Looking forward to monitor my air consumption when I get to experience my first warm water dive!
~Ian

Just make sure you are warm no matter what.
Multi dives over multi days will lower your body core temp in no time at all so prepared for it.
Enjoy.

 

[FF / EMT]

I wonder if the average American diver is on Scuba board….

 

[Thunder Struck]

I am a new diver in the Puget Sound area and have only done cold water dives. How different does it feel diving in warm water? Do you notice changes in your air consumption from not having to expend as much energy keeping warm? I use a 7mm farmer john wetsuit and at the end of dive 2 I there is little better than a heated shower/drink.

Apologies if this has been asked recently, I poked around using the search function but didn’t see anything.

Air consumption will generally be less as you are more comfortable. Less exertion/frustration in fighting a thick wetsuit with hood and gloves. But, you will find that your air consumption will go down the more you dive cold water as your overall comfort in diving and skills improve.

A cold water diver comfortable in diving the cold with typical lower viz, who is then placed in warm and clear water, will be light years ahead of a warm water diver who is placed into cold water.

So get out there and dive your cold waters, your local quarries, mud holes, or whatever it is you have. Keep your skills fresh and sharp. As we said in the Army: train hard, fight easy.

 

[Dan]

I’d love to! I’m doing Little Cayman, Statia, Chuuk, Sharm, RA and Seychelles next year. Definitely have to coincide soon. Want to do Madagascar at some point too. Just because.

When are you going to be in Seychelles?

Been to Little Cayman. Not interested in Chuuk. Been to Sharm. RA 8x.

Madagascar is in my bucket list. Let me know when you are going there too.

Cheers
Dan

 

[Altamira]

I wonder if the average American diver is on Scuba board….

Stop wondering. The answer is no.

 

[Damselfish]

Pretty much everything is easier in warm water. If you are a decent cold water diver you should be a champ in warm water. (The reverse is not true.) And once you are diving awhile I don’t think you really lose those skills. Maybe if its 10 years, but not a year. But we are fortunate to travel at least a couple times a year.

We started diving in New England but that tapered off and ended maybe a year after we started warm water diving. Any rewards of the local diving were far surpassed by the trouble for us. Especially hate wetsuits, and love the freedom of diving without one. Occasionally I think of trying local again. But not enough to actually bother. Too many other things to do.