First cold water dive

[midwest diver]

Going to pearl lake this weekend for my first fw dive. What can I expect as for temp, vis and what to see?

PS, will it be too cold for a 6.5 mm wetsuit(2 piece)

 

[Oldpirate]

Going to pearl lake this weekend for my first fw dive. What can I expect as for temp, vis and what to see?

PS, will it be too cold for a 6.5 mm wetsuit(2 piece)

It really depends. I don't have any idea where Pearl Lake is, but most inland lakes in the Midwest won't be much over 40 degrees at depth. You'll probably be okay, but shopping for a dry suit by Monday. Enjoy!

 

[SDAnderson]

Going to pearl lake this weekend for my first fw dive. What can I expect as for temp, vis and what to see?

PS, will it be too cold for a 6.5 mm wetsuit(2 piece)

The longstanding joke about Pearl Lake is that the first five divers get 50 foot visibility and everybody else gets 5. It doesn't take much to stir things up there but it's a good training pit.

As far as temps go, look for something in the low-ish 50's. Temps will vary wildly this time of year - with the warm weather we've been having it could be a fair bit warmer than that.

A 6.5 mm suit is going to be cold but most folks find it tolerable. Literally hundreds, if not thousands, of divers dive the Pearl wet every year, most in 6.5 or 7 farmer johns. Bring something warm to drink and try to get out of your suit and dried off during the surface interval. Bring heavy sweaters and something to break the wind.

http://www.pearllake.com/frameset.htm

Think of it as a rite of passage - it's just something that needs doing and worrying about it won't change a thing. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best and go determined to have fun - you'll do just fine.

 

[midwest diver]

The longstanding joke about Pearl Lake is that the first five divers get 50 foot visibility and everybody else gets 5. It doesn't take much to stir things up there but it's a good training pit.

As far as temps go, look for something in the low-ish 50's. Temps will vary wildly this time of year - with the warm weather we've been having it could be a fair bit warmer than that.

A 6.5 mm suit is going to be cold but most folks find it tolerable. Literally hundreds, if not thousands, of divers dive the Pearl wet every year, most in 6.5 or 7 farmer johns. Bring something warm to drink and try to get out of your suit and dried off during the surface interval. Bring heavy sweaters and something to break the wind.

http://www.pearllake.com/frameset.htm

Think of it as a rite of passage - it's just something that needs doing and worrying about it won't change a thing. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best and go determined to have fun - you'll do just fine.

Thanks for the replies. Im pretty sure Ill do fine like you guys said. Ive decided to wear a henderson full suit under the 2 piece 6.5 mil. If the water is around 50ish, Ill be just fine.

 

[TCooperWFI]

I have been diving Whitestar and Gilboa in a two piece 7mm, both are 41 to 42 at depth. I'm comfortable, but my diving buddies diving similar rigs are aggressively shopping for dry suits.

 

[midwest diver]

I have been diving Whitestar and Gilboa in a two piece 7mm, both are 41 to 42 at depth. I'm comfortable, but my diving buddies diving similar rigs are aggressively shopping for dry suits.

well its sunday, i did the dives yesturday. Water was about 52 degrees at depth, no real thermocline and the air temp was about 49 degrees. I was fine. Didnt get cold underwater one time. I got to about 40 feet of depth. The only time i was cold was for the first few minutes of both dives and the only thing that was cold was my lips.

I am going to purchase my own 2p 7mil suit tonight probably. Its a blue reef or neosport. Only 140 for the suit.

 

[SDAnderson]

well its sunday, i did the dives yesturday. I was fine. Didnt get cold underwater one time.

See? Nothing like being busy to take your mind off of your problems. Congratulations, you're now an Official Pearl Diver.