Are cold water divers better?

[oldflounder]

Looking back over the posts again it seems that some people are offended by some of the responses.

I don't think diving is - or should be - a competitive sport. The post might be less offensive to some if it said " Am I a better diver in warm or cold water - or if I learned OW in whichever?" Learning to dive and getting better is an individual/personal challenge. You can't place divers into a stereotype and say one group is better than another just because of one factor [water temperature.]

And yes - I have often heard the phrase "if you dive the North Atlantic, Pacific NW, North Sea,______________ [fill in your own] then you can dive anywhere" and it is probably true, but it doesn't mean you are a "better diver" in Cozumel or the Antarctic or the Red Sea or Alaska. I think it just means you may be more adaptable to strenuous conditions than if you normally dive in "easy" water - no matter where it is.

Just my 2C.

 

[aquaregia]

I think people who dive regularly are better than people who only dive on vacation. I'm yet to meet anyone who lives in Florida but only dives on their vacations to New Jersey.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Looking back over the posts again it seems that some people are offended by some of the responses.

This is the hurt feelings forum, internet diving attracts many thin skinned and fragile types.

-Mitch

 

[GravyBoat]

I consider Rhode Island Diving "Warm Water" diving. When I dive north of Cape Cod, that is cold. I still dive it in a 5/4 Wetsuit with a 3mm vest. I fail to see how jumping in with a board shorts, rash gaurd, 100' of vis and 80* water is hard.

 

[Insta-Gator]

As long as we're posting ice pictures here's an old one! There were no ice diving courses then, nobody knew that the hole should be bigger! Look close OMG no SPG's, no octos, no redundant air,no backup diver but it sure was fun! I'm on the right. (picture omitted to save space)

I'm sorry, but ...... are you nuts? thought that sounded better than Wow, OMG, good grief

 

[Clammy]

Frequency and number of dives are a big factor, as many have pointed out. Warm water divers probably have way more dives on average. But as also pointed out, Cold water divers have to contend with more and GENERALLY are in areas with rougher seas and are more used to and prepared for the "When things hit the fan" situations. They have probably been involved in a few here and there or involved in rescues. There's also that whole motivated diver/natural selection/filter aspect of cold water vs warm water.

HOWEVER,

All other things being equal, if you were to take a person who, from OW class to their 100th dive did it in SoCal vs someone who, from OW class to their 100th dive did it in a tropical resort destination, in which dive for dive were done at same time, I'm willing to to bet that the cold water diver would be better. At the very least, they would be more prepared or apt at task loading and adapting to whatever gets thrown at them.

Like in any other training the worse the conditions are when you train, when other variables are equal, tends to make things easier when conditions get better. It may not be the most efficient. I can get better speed work training when running or biking in nice weather with no obstacles and no headwind. But if I'm running or riding hard in headwind, it's going to be a lot easier to do those things when there is no wind. Running hills makes flats seem easy etc. A 10 mile run on hills is better training than a 10 mile run flat at the SAME PACE/Intensity. Similarly, dive for dive, cold water probably makes for better training.

BUT, variables in life aren't controlled like that.

 

[OldNSalty]

I fail to see how jumping in with a board shorts, rash gaurd, 100' of vis and 80* water is hard.

You would think that, and I would tend to agree...but I have seen on rare occassions cold water lake and quary divers get real uncomfortable in our warm water. Even had an insta-buddy or 2 freak out after hitting the water...maybe it was just me making them feel that way.

 

[AfterDark]

I'm sorry, but ...... are you nuts? thought that sounded better than Wow, OMG, good grief

Not as nuts as I was 35 years ago, but still a little crazy. Or has some have stated "motivated".

 

[AfterDark]

I consider Rhode Island Diving "Warm Water" diving. When I dive north of Cape Cod, that is cold. I still dive it in a 5/4 Wetsuit with a 3mm vest. I fail to see how jumping in with a board shorts, rash gaurd, 100' of vis and 80* water is hard.

RI warm water huh? Meet me in January bring your 5/4 and the vest. I dive year round. On New Years Day I dive wet. Dry after that until May.

 

[LouieLouie]

All other things being equal, if you were to take a person who, from OW class to their 100th dive did it in SoCal vs someone who, from OW class to their 100th dive did it in a tropical resort destination, in which dive for dive were done at same time, I'm willing to to bet that the cold water diver would be better.

And which one would be the cold water diver?