Cold water diver dreaming of the sun

[danr5160]

Hey everybody,
I live in Oregon and mainly dive Hood Canal and Puget Sound. Every chance I get, in a dry suit, although the drive makes it a day-long event and so it isn't as often as I'd like. I am going to be in Aruba June 14-20, so I hope to see some sun then. If there are other cold-water divers I'd love to share experiences. Cheers!
drr

 

[Scuba_Noob]

Just recently came back from a warm-water trip. It's quite the rush, going from 5 degree Celsius (41 degree Fahrenheit) waters to 28 degree Celsius (83 degree Fahrenheit) waters. Cold water dives were all I knew before the trip. After diving tropical, I still prefer the marine life in the Pacific Northwest. Still great dives, though!

I recommend wearing a shorty wetsuit, partially for protection from the sun and partially for warmth. Sure, it doesn't sound cold, but I was starting to get used to the temperatures. By the sixth dive of the trip, I started to get chilly around 10 minutes into the dive .

Not sure if you're bringing your own gear, but I brought my regs, mask, and computer, and I'd recommend that as a minimum.

 

[TSandM]

I haven't been to Aruba, but I think you're going to be delighted if this is your first warm water trip. It's not even the warmth, or the lighter-weight gear -- it's being able to SEE! I remember my first "warm" water trip to Australia, where the dive op was apologizing . . . for FORTY feet of viz. I was completely nonplussed, since 40 feet of viz is jumping up and down and applauding material where you and I dive!

The one big piece of advice I'd give you is that you can still get cold in warm water. Getting out of your wetsuit between dives, at least halfway, and wrapping up in a warm windbreaker, can make the difference between a comfortable second or third dive, and a miserable one. Everybody in Hawaii looks at me like I'm crazy when I haul out my TrueWest parka between dives, but guess who gets the full dive time on the last dive?