Best time for Rescue in DC area

[Wheatondiver]

looking to take rescue this year. When is the best time to take the course in the DC area? Water temp and air temp? I know some times the air temp gets very hot and the water has not warmed up yet. My LDS has 4 courses scheduled - April, June, August, and October.

 

[emcbride81]

July or August would be your best bet...with August being the prime time if you are going anywhere but Mt. Storm for your dives.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The water at Millbrook warms up pretty quickly (at least compared to my cold water experience elsewhere) to about 20-25 ft, then the thermocline slowly (really slowly) moves downward. Below 30-40 feet it is cold all summer and at the bottom it is bascially a colder 46 all summer.

If it were me, I'd do June as the air temps will probably be cooler than August and warmer than October while the water temp in the first 30 feet where you will do most of the class should be 60-65.

Even August is not bad air temp wise if you arrive early and park in the shade. If you go deeper on the first dive, you'll be cool all day.

The late season is nice too as while the air temps vary there are usually fewer rototillers killing the already limited viz.

 

[offthewall1]

In order (for convenience)...

October - Vis tends to get better, water still warm enough, less students in out there
August - Warm in and out of water, but vis may be down
June - Water may be warmed by then - but big month for OW classes getting in way
April - Water still cold and lots of OW classes jumpin for first time since winters end

The truthful answer - is anytimes a good time to take a rescue course. The more challenging the conditions the better the class. The weather and conditions are unlikely to be perfect when you have to enact a real life rescue...

Happy Diving!