For those afraid to take the plunge...

[mikerault]

An article on the joys of cold water diving...

http://scuba-diving.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_joys_of_cold_water_diving

Help me think up new reasons for cold water diving..why do you do it?

Mike

 

[Meng_Tze]

I did a few (yes only a few) cold water dives when I lived in the UK..........it was so cold that I could not use my hands properly after 6-10 minutes. Had difficulty inflating/deflating, shivering like a chihuahua looking to mate a mastiff and did not have fun..... so maybe the sites are less traveled, maybe it is a challenge.... I am happy where I am now and don't get as cold as in the UK. Big respect for divers that do dive that cold, I am just a whimp when it get's to cold

 

[mikerault]

That is why I love my drysuit!

 

[johnny_bravo]

Cool article thanks. I'm not sure if i miss cold water diving...although in the Great Lakes and Tobermory regions in Ontario the wrecks are preserved quite well with the cold water.

Concerned with the quote in the article "Cold water diving makes you appreciate a hot tub."

I thought this was thought to increase the risk of DCS?

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[mikerault]

Usually it is a couple of hours later...

 

[NorCalDawg]

I personally believe it makes me a better diver. You're right, diving in 80* water with 100ft+ visibility is a cakewalk, but diving in water 50* or colder with lower viz takes skill. Plus theres a certain amount of respect you get from other divers when they know that you have dove lake lanier at 43* in a wetsuit.... and you've done it more than once. But the biggest reason I do it is because, simply as you said, it's cheaper and closer than warm water. I can go dive lanier on a saturday morning before going into work saturday afternoon, and spend about $30. I can hit up dive haven on a sunday for around $50. Logging dives and gaining experience, and getting my diving fix, without having to drive over 5 hours and spend tons of money on gas, food and charter rates, or whatever.

 

[sharkattack]

I prefer cold water diving. More gear, more work sure. But it makes that warm water stuff that much easier.

 

[NorCalDawg]

I prefer cold water diving. More gear, more work sure. But it makes that warm water stuff that much easier.

Not to mention more enjoyable

 

[Cecil]

I call it 10% diving (cold water diving). Meaning it is a factor 10 off from warm water diving eg. 10x harder, 10x more weight, 10x more neoprene, 1/10 as much to see etc etc. I still do it because it's a millions times better than no diving.

 

[Jon C]

Help me think up new reasons for cold water diving...

Mike

Kelp.