Help for son

[Tracy1969]

Hello everybody, I have only just joined this forum so I apologise if I have posted this in the wrong place.

My son is currently going through training for Ocean Diver. He has passed his theory and completed all his pool work, he just has to do his few open water dives, and then he will get his certificate.

So far he has done 3 open water dives, but he isn't in the water long before he says he wants to get out because he is cold. So I was wondering if there is anything he can do or try, to enable him to get over this small hurdle so that he can progress and get his Ocean Diver Certificate. Just for reference, he has a Neoprene dry suit and I have just bought him new gloves and hood.

He is 13yrs old and has been diving now since Aug 2014

Thankyou

 

[pconsidine]

Hi
Tracy1969 there are a few factors to consider- first is water temp. in water where open water is being conducted, if the water temp is in the 50's to 60's your son will need at least a 7mil. wetsuit to keep warm. also thickness of hood & gloves are a big factor since most of loss of body heat in water is through hands & head and feet. Does your son have booties on,this makes a difference. Also to keep your son warm- you can add some warm water to inside of wetsuit, this will serve as a insulation layer inside wetsuit and also fit of wetsuit is a big factor because if wetsuit is too large on your son it is not doing the job it is intended for- as insuklation againt heat loss.

 

[lowviz]

... So far he has done 3 open water dives, but he isn't in the water long before he says he wants to get out because he is cold. So I was wondering if there is anything he can do or try, to enable him to get over this small hurdle so that he can progress and get his Ocean Diver Certificate. ...

There is the possibility that it is more than just feeling cold. Does he really want to do this?

 

[Mustard Dave]

Hi
Tracy1969 there are a few factors to consider- first is water temp. in water where open water is being conducted, if the water temp is in the 50's to 60's your son will need at least a 7mil. wetsuit to keep warm. also thickness of hood & gloves are a big factor since most of loss of body heat in water is through hands & head and feet. Does your son have booties on,this makes a difference. Also to keep your son warm- you can add some warm water to inside of wetsuit, this will serve as a insulation layer inside wetsuit and also fit of wetsuit is a big factor because if wetsuit is too large on your son it is not doing the job it is intended for- as insuklation againt heat loss.

The OP said he has a neoprene drysuit. I'm assuming he already has a hood and gloves as Capernwray (a popular training site near the OP) is currently 7 degrees C (around 45 degrees F), so it's bloody cold in other words!

My advice would be to look whether he can get a thicker undersuit, or try adding a thermal base layer - something like this: Bare SB System Base Layer - Mens Top by Bare - DiveLife

Dive Life is a very good retailer based in North Manchester, just off the M60. They also do mail order and have a satellite shop at Eccy Swamp (Ecclestone Delph Diving Centre).

Has he spoken to his instructor?

 

[TMHeimer]

Yeah, all good advice. I've heard that youngsters may feel the cold more.

 

[diversteve]

Family vacation to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt for his checkout dives?

It'll be 33^oC there in July.

Also to keep your son warm- you can add some warm water to inside of wetsuit, this will serve as a insulation layer inside wetsuit

Do not do this in a drysuit.

 

[Mustard Dave]

Family vacation to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt for his checkout dives?

It'll be 33^oC there in July.

Do not do this in a drysuit.

Yeah! And I'd also advise against the other self-reheat drill that is popular with wetsuit divers!

 

[Aotus]

+1 for checking out other undergarments. Pinnacle makes a full-body thermal suit that is very comfy, and warm.

You can also do like the backpackers; get smart about the materials. Base layer should be wicking, like merino wool, maybe even an underarmor-like material to pull perspiration away from the body (but merino, even if very thin, is better). The next layer should function both to absorb the moisture wicked away from the body AND to insulate. There are crazy fancy ($$$) fleece materials for this, but just plain old wool does the job(actually insulates even when wet!). Then the last thing, if he's using a drysuit, is he adding enough air? Deeper you go the less the neoprene helps, and then you'd better have air and good undergarments to keep the cold away from your skin.

Yeah! And I'd also advise against the other self-reheat drill that is popular with wetsuit divers!

But it works!! Messy cleanup though...


In all seriousness though, while some advise heating up quickly after a dive, hot water bath/shower or heating pads increase your risk of DCS. Stay warm during the dive, don't compensate after.

 

[KenGordon]

Go to the sea, it will be warmer. Otherwise a thin under suit. Maybe talk to OThree. How large is he? If small without adequate bioprene you may have a problem. Waiting until it warms up a bit might help too. Off the south coast at the moment it is 10C but that will hit 18C in August.

 

[boulderjohn]

When I certified my grandson, he had a lot of trouble with the cold as well, and we weren't diving in anything like the temperatures your son is. With a dry suit, the most common way to improve warmth is to increase the volume of whatever is being worn beneath the suit. This will call for more air to be added as well, which will increase the warmth. This means, of course, carrying more lead for for weighting, but it may be worth it. I know some dive suit drivers who believe lead = warmth.

The first time I dove in temperatures like that, I wore my fluffiest underwear. I was so warm I was actually seating during a one hour dive, but I couldn't believe how much lead I needed to sink.