Cold water diving

[syrking]

I'm planning my first cold water (fresh) dive this weekend. H2O temp expected to be about 46 degrees. I've got a 5mm hood, gloves, and wetsuit, not optimal I know, but since students get certified in this temp I figure I can tough it out for at least 30 minutes or so. I know it's not going to be very pleasant but I'm wondering if anybody has any suggestions for keeping warm, like for instance, is there a type of handwarmer I can stick in my booties that works underwater? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jbd]

I'm planning my first cold water (fresh) dive this weekend. H2O temp expected to be about 46 degrees. I've got a 5mm hood, gloves, and wetsuit, not optimal I know, but since students get certified in this temp I figure I can tough it out for at least 30 minutes or so. I know it's not going to be very pleasant but I'm wondering if anybody has any suggestions for keeping warm, like for instance, is there a type of handwarmer I can stick in my booties that works underwater? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

A lot will depend on the weather the day you dive. If it is sunny and hot with little if any breeze you may end up being reasonably comfortable with the 5mm gear. If it is rainy, winding and cool then you may well be miserable. If you plan more than one dive for the day try to have long surface intervals and warm beverages to drink or at least avoid ice cold drinks. Sometimes warm water poured into the suit just before the dive helps. Keep the dives shallow or above the first thermocline so you are diving in the warmest water.

 

[Daryl Morse]

I'm planning my first cold water (fresh) dive this weekend. H2O temp expected to be about 46 degrees. I've got a 5mm hood, gloves, and wetsuit, not optimal I know, but since students get certified in this temp I figure I can tough it out for at least 30 minutes or so. I know it's not going to be very pleasant but I'm wondering if anybody has any suggestions for keeping warm, like for instance, is there a type of handwarmer I can stick in my booties that works underwater? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you want advice, here is some: don't do it. I normally dive 30-45 minutes in 46-48F water wearing a drysuit and lots of layers of fleece to keep warm. I wouldn't want to spend 30+ minutes in a 5mm wetsuit unless the water was 65-70F.

 

[tjsmith1979]

If you want advice, here is some: don't do it. I normally dive 30-45 minutes in 46-48F water wearing a drysuit and lots of layers of fleece to keep warm. I wouldn't want to spend 30+ minutes in a 5mm wetsuit unless the water was 65-70F.

I agree with Daryl, I would do this diving with a drysuit and some extra thick thinsulate undergarments. However when I did my Ice Diving Speciality at the end of March, there was a couple of people doing the speciality in 7mm wetsuits... can you rent a 7mm wetsuit, gloves and hood as it shouldnt cost too much !! Try taking some hot water with you and keeping up your fluids by drinking hot soup or coffees and even pour some warm water down the back of your wetsuit about a couple of minutes before the dive.

Enjoy the dive... My dive was in 34oF and absolutely loved it ! I will be doing this again next year while I am here in Canada

 

[nessum]

Ok, so according to the first post the hood is 5mm... how thick is the wetsuit?

 

[Juls64]

I'd be miserable in 46 degree water in a 5mm suit.

 

[ranger]

I'm on board with the rest of you guys. You couldn't throw me in that 46 degree water in a 5mm. In fact, I'm shivering now while typing just thinking about it.

 

[WellBelowH2O]

I'm on board with the rest of you guys. You couldn't throw me in that 46 degree water in a 5mm. In fact, I'm shivering now while typing just thinking about it.

Yeah.. a 5mil suit in 46 degree water is going to be very cold. I dove about a month ago in 42 degree water, but had a 7/5 semi-dry with a 3mil vest underneath. Wouldn't want to get much colder than that.

 

[ScubaSarus]

I personally think thats dangerous for a student. They have standards for this. 7mm F/J or full Min 7mm hood and boots. See if you can get a vest of some sort to put over the suit.

Bring hot tea and a goose down jacket and a wool hat for the interval if any.

 

[Paco]

Bring enough hot water to have someone pour in your suit before and after the dive. Also have some extra to put your hands in immediately upon exiting the water to warm your hands, because after 30 min. your fingers may not work well enough to even get your fins off (I know, I´ve been there more than once). Renting a thicker suit was good advice and a hooded vest is a very, very good idea. If you are getting cold under water and both you and your buddy have enough air, finning faster and harder can also help generate some heat. Use good judgement with this so that you don´t induce panic or an out of air situation. Just my 2 cents.