Current and Water Temp

[Twiddles]

I am curious. I am on the pacific coast and I know water temp is say around 55 degrees (give or take). I did my o/w class in mexico. Resort style 3 days 5 dives about 10 hours in the pool. On both my 3rd and 4th cert dives there was a very strong current. By very strong I mean kicking from the hips you could not maintain position in open water (behind reefs or very close to bottom barely). The descent line was virtually a C from boat to about 12' to bottom. Visibility in cozumel water was about 10-15 feet. Remaining stationary (for required tests) required being behind a reef section and was still relatively difficult.

Questions:

How is the colder pacific temps going to affect my diving and do I, should I, recertify in pacific temps. I never dove in a wetsuit although I was informed to expect bouancy issues (+5lbs was recommended). I have heard here that with colder temps I will burn air at a much higher rate as well. Concerned for two reasons, my wife is getting certified here and when I told her instructor I had just been certified in mexico the look I got was well less than reassuring LOL.

Based on the information provided how would an experienced diver classify the current I was in. I am curious because when diving if someone says the currents are strong, I would like to know if I have some idea what strong is or if Im about to take an "E" Ticket ride and be very unhappy.

 

[diverdiane]

I havn't been diving long enough to answer your questions but the "E" ticket reference is telling your age. (and mine since I know what you are talking about)

 

[skynscuba]

You should at least get some local training. Low visibility, kelp, bulky exposure suit (you will probably need at least 20 pounds of weights), cold, etc. You could just re-do your basic OW training class. That wouldn't hurt, especially if you have only done the minimum dives to date, and/or it has been a while since your previous dives. Or, you could just get with an instructor and cover what you need to know. Dive shops often (usually?) have the basic OW dive course as a pretty cheap deal, so that may actually work out better than individual instruction.

55 degrees would be a pretty nice warm day in Monterey waters.

Find the NorCal group for more info on local diving:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=87

 

[rawls]

I am curious. I am on the pacific coast and I know water temp is say around 55 degrees (give or take). I did my o/w class in mexico. Resort style 3 days 5 dives about 10 hours in the pool. On both my 3rd and 4th cert dives there was a very strong current. By very strong I mean kicking from the hips you could not maintain position in open water (behind reefs or very close to bottom barely). The descent line was virtually a C from boat to about 12' to bottom. Visibility in cozumel water was about 10-15 feet. Remaining stationary (for required tests) required being behind a reef section and was still relatively difficult.

Questions:

How is the colder pacific temps going to affect my diving and do I, should I, recertify in pacific temps. I never dove in a wetsuit although I was informed to expect bouancy issues (+5lbs was recommended). I have heard here that with colder temps I will burn air at a much higher rate as well. Concerned for two reasons, my wife is getting certified here and when I told her instructor I had just been certified in mexico the look I got was well less than reassuring LOL.

Based on the information provided how would an experienced diver classify the current I was in. I am curious because when diving if someone says the currents are strong, I would like to know if I have some idea what strong is or if Im about to take an "E" Ticket ride and be very unhappy.

Alot of things affect movement of water...winds, tides, storms...You can have the same temps and completely different current conditions on any given day. I would agree. You need to become acclimated to the area you will be diving...strong currents or no currents. To reassure you...It sounds as if you were in a VERY strong current if the descent line was that curved. So relax...I don't think you will be buying an E ticket. I don't think many people enjoy diving in a current as strong as you said it was. Remember...Diving is supposed to be fun. You will have plenty of no current days. Congrats on your cert...

 

[carbon]

Re-taking a certification class in the same conditions that you will be diving is a very good recommendation. Also, you might find a dive mentor that will take you under their wing.

I assume you will be diving a wetsuit. At 55 F, the suit will need to be thick. Many folks dive a 8 mil suit, and some need thicker coverage. I dive year round in SoCal with the water temps down to about 49 F at the coldest. I dive a 9 mil suit and add a 2 mil neoprene shirt. You will discover where your own personal limit regarding getting cold. Remember, it is not good to dive when you are cold. So, continue to adjust your thermal protection as you dive to stay warm during the dive.

After you add all of that neoprene for a thick wetsuit, you will experience more pronounced buoyancy changes (as compared to tropical diving) as the water pressure compresses the wetsuit at depth. On ascent, be prepared to vent your BC to avoid a run-away ascent. This just takes some practice to be comfortable.

You will need more lead weight to compensate for the more buoyant wetsuit. Adjust your weight such that you can hold a hover at the 15 foot safety stop.

The extra weight, bulkier equipment, and the cold will cause you to use more air. After you get past the anxiety of diving under these conditions, your air consumption will be higher than tropical diving, but not by a whole bunch.

I consider any current where I cannot make headway against the current as "strong current". In general, I think your local dives will be tamer.

Lastly, please please please. learn how to deal with kelp. Find someone who knows what they are doing and have them teach you. You should be able to swim safely through kelp at depth and on the surface. You should know how to disentangle yourself from kelp.

Regrads,
Carbon

 

[Arcaporale]

I have a similar story to yours, originally I was certified in warm waters of Cabo San Lucas, nearly 7 years ago, but I live in California. I used to dive in Monterey when I lived in the up North, but now I'm living in San Diego, diving a few times a week on average. I don't feel a need to for you to get recertified here, as I didn't.

Diving anywhere on the west coast of the U.S. is going to require a 7mm wetsuit with a hood, you will be even more comfortable wearing a hooded vest, or a core warmer. With a wetsuit like this you will need atleast 20 pounds of lead to keep you down, probably more. Wearing all that extra weight will hurt your air consumption, but the cold will play a larger role, but it won't be too bad.

The visibility you experienced in Mexico (which is usually much better) is not a whole lot worse than what you will see here, but on a rare occasion it will get nicer (some places 80+) but this varies by location and time of year.

If you are feeling confident enough, find a buddy that has some experience in the area and go on a dive with them. If thats not an option, then there is still no need to get recertified, you can always take a refresher course, a specialty course, or even AOW.

The current which you experienced sounds like a really strong one, they won't always be this strong, but it's certianly not unheard of.

If you've only dived off a boat, dive a shore and vice versa. You should learn to do both, as in California there are many great shore and offshore dive sites.

Lastly dive with a knife, there is kelp here, it's not only a hazard underwater, but if you are not looking up before your ascent you may find youself tangled at the surface in a field of it.

Hope I was able to help, feel free to ask more questions.

 

[spectrum]

I agree that you really should have an orientation to local gear and conditions. You have the basics done so it more about getting accustomed to doing the skills in heavier protection. The greater buoyancy dynamics will also come into play. When gear and skill come together cold will be a non issue. You have already experienced near poor visibility so that's a start.

A local couple solved this same issue nicely by doing AOW locally after having done OW and a good number or warm water dives.

Pete