Cold water...

[The_Ghost]

After a few years of renting and playing with what I can I have decided to finally bite the bullet and buy a Regulator and gauges.

Now I live central Illinois, so if I want to get the most out of my year to dive or get the need to dive bad enough I might have to get in some chilly water. The coldest I have been in so far is around 50 degrees. Those quarrys are evil.

I don't every plan on diving in the arctic or cutting a whole in a frozen lake. I would like to dive bonne terre mines since it's only a couple hours away, but i think it's like 58 degrees year round. not to bad, but it's not tropical.


Would it be worth it to get a regulator that can handle colder waters or one with cold water resistance? I don't think I should need it, and I couldn't really find anything in the fourms about this so meh I figured I would just ask.(hopefully I got it in the right one)

 

[JKPAO]

Most can be fitted and tuned (or detuned ) at a later date if you feel inclined to go get wet in the winter or cold < 50. Ask about envirmental kits before you purchase!
See you topside! John

 

[spectrum]

For where you live get a cold water regulator and cover your bases. You have plenty of time to develop a taste for deeper/colder spots. 50F isn't that far from where a cold water rating is important.

Pete

 

[The_Ghost]

The inline air for the BCD does any of those have a cold resistance rating? From just a handful here and there I never saw anything that other wise.

 

[SangP]

Why not? It shouldn't cost much more anyway.

Regs like the scubapro Mk17 cost even less than the MK25 yet is suited for cold water diving.

You can even get a Hog cold water reg set for about $300 from cave adventurers so I only see positives getting a cold water reg vs one suited for warm water dives only.

SangP

 

[a22shady]

Have to agree with SangP. If I am buying a reg even if I had not intentions of diving cold water I would want it to be able to just in that case you decided to later there is no issues. to me its like spending money and not getting all out of it. All my regs are cold water reg's use in cold/warm water and perform great in all condition. ScubaPro MK17/G250V Set also Atomic M1 Set.

 

[USdiver1]

I recommend environmentally sealed / cold water / supreme kits for just about any first stage. Not only will it function in sub 50 degree water without freezing up, but a silicone or dry sealed environmental chamber will not permit sand or other debris from getting into a first stage and potentially messing up the spring / diaphragm. I used to dive in contaminated harbors, and now frequently dive in 38 - 45 degree water. Never had a failure with a cold water kit. A sealed first stage is the way to go.

 

[The_Ghost]

You guys mention cold water kits, what are these? I can see going to a website seeing which one they have marked as cold water regs...is there some kind of accessory or something more I should be looking at then?

 

[USdiver1]

Yes, you can either have your LDS modify an existing first stage with a cold water kit, or you can purchase one already outfitted from the factory. Every mfg. has its own name for what is essentially an extra diaphragm with liquid silicone between it and the standard (non-cold water equipped) first stage. Some nowadays even do a dry cold water kit without the liquid silicone. Performance in water of all temperatures is basically the same, plus there is no longer a threat of first stage freeze up, or contamination from environmental hazards like sand, coral or any of the gunk that pollutes the harbors that I used to dive in.

An example would be a Aqualung Legend vs an Aqualung Legend Supreme (the supreme has the cold water kit).

 

[The_Ghost]

ahh great. thanks for the clarification