Cold water options for a new diver...

[PolsVoice]

I've only had my cert. for <6 mos. and intend to jump into the water as soon as it gets warm again (>68F). What options are there to get more dive experience when the weather is so cold? I can't afford a dry suit (or the classes) and I think the water in NE texas is probably too cold for even the thickest wetsuit.

any help is welcome,

Thanx,

- PolsVoice

 

[PolsVoice]

Primarily, I just want to get wet. <grin>

 

[DEEPLOU]

I've only had my cert. for <6 mos. and intend to jump into the water as soon as it gets warm again (>68F). What options are there to get more dive experience when the weather is so cold? I can't afford a dry suit (or the classes) and I think the water in NE texas is probably too cold for even the thickest wetsuit.

any help is welcome,

Thanx,

- PolsVoice

Warm >68F??, If I waited for that I would never dive at home!

7mm wet suit should be enough. Then you could go to FL or the Carribean.

 

[diverlady]

A properly fitted 7mil wetsuit should allow you to dive comfortably in temps much lower than 68F. I've worn one in the low 50s, high 40s and been fine. The tricky part is keeping warm between dives when doing multiple dives in a day. If you do find that you're cold, you could try layering neoprene or pouring warm water into your suit before entering the water.

Diverlady

 

[H2Andy]

yup... and of course, towel yourself dry between dives, wear a coat to act as a windbreaker, and a hat (don't forget the hat!)

 

[bug hunter]

What is your current water temp ?

 

[glbirch]

I've only had my cert. for <6 mos. and intend to jump into the water as soon as it gets warm again (>68F). What options are there to get more dive experience when the weather is so cold? I can't afford a dry suit (or the classes) and I think the water in NE texas is probably too cold for even the thickest wetsuit.

any help is welcome,

Thanx,

- PolsVoice

Well, people in our club dive wetsuits up here in the winter. I think it's hacking through the ice that warms them up for the first dive.

What they said. Warm clothing between dives, a hat (touque is even better), and stay out of the wind if you can. My wife usually takes a couple of thermoses of hot water with her. She pours one into her suit before the dive, and the other after the dive. Hot food and drink work wonders as well to help warm the body core and keep the chill off. Thermos full of soup, for example. Just don't confuse it with the other two, or things could get messy.

Also, if you are in a club see if you can get any pool time. It's not open water but it's a great chance to practice skills.

 

[randyjoy]

We were out at Clear Springs last weekend (Feb 1) and the water temp was right at 50F. Wore a 7mm Hyperstretch, a 5/3 Hooded vest, and gloves. Was quite comfortable for over 90 minutes in the water.

Plan on going again in a couple of weeks, it will probably be a tad warmer (51? )

 

[primalchaos]

I've only had my cert. for <6 mos. and intend to jump into the water as soon as it gets warm again (>68F). What options are there to get more dive experience when the weather is so cold? I can't afford a dry suit (or the classes) and I think the water in NE texas is probably too cold for even the thickest wetsuit.

any help is welcome,

Thanx,

- PolsVoice

I was at Bonne Terre MO last weekend, and a bunch from Houston were there. It is a mine, but the water is 58, and air temp 62 year round underground. I don't know how far that is for you (near St. Louis) but a really neat place.

 

[UndrWatrDan]

I was at Clear Springs in late December and dove in a Bare 7mm semi-dry. With gloves I was quite comfortable. Dove the San Marcos River just last weekend. Going to give the semi-dry a try at Lake Murray in Oklahoma later this month. The Diving Rebels Dive Club out of Arlington has diving activities going on year round so cold water diving in NE Tx is not impossible at all, but like Glbirch, H2Andy and diverlady said, the key is keeping warm between dives! www.divingrebels.org