How cold is cold enough for require a cold regulator?

[RJP]

I understand a cold water reg will cover all cases, but it also costs more. I wonder if I should use MK11/s555 (non environment sealed) in Monterey cold water. I don't want to pay for something that I will never take advantage of, but if it is necessary, then I have no problem going for it.

I dive the AquaLung Legend LX Supreme, with the "supreme" being the coldwater version. I think I paid $10 more than the "non-supreme" version.

 

[halocline]

I don't own one. I have been using rentals, they are oceanic alpha 8 (primary & opto). I am thinking buying one. I saw ScubaPro MK11/S555 for $250 online, seems like a good price. But Mk11 is not cold water rated, so I don't know if it would matter.

You won't have a freezing problem with the MK11 in 50's degree water.

 

[meierdierck]

I understand a cold water reg will cover all cases, but it also costs more. I wonder if I should use MK11/s555 (non environment sealed) in Monterey cold water. I don't want to pay for something that I will never take advantage of, but if it is necessary, then I have no problem going for it.

you will be fine, IMO
I have been diving Monterey since 1992, I do all my classes from november through april there, and I have never had, nor have I seen, a freeze up, our students use Oceanic alphas, (non sealed) I wouldnt say it is imposible, but I would put it in the HIGHLY UNLIKELY category, if you are still worried go to 2 shops in Monterey, MBDC and Aquarius, look at what they have in rentals, and talk to the guys, esp at Aquarius on the coast guard pier at breakwater, he is very cool, and very helpful, and I am sure he will not steer you wrong.

 

[BobbyT22]

The Navy does unbelievably rigorous testing of regulators at NEDU (Navy Experimental Dive Unit) and has separate list of gear that meets their standards for cold water vs non-cold water gear. The cutoff is 37 degrees. If you are truly concerned about a coldwater capable reg, I'd use their list as a place to start. Monterey and 50 degree temps would not be cold water according to their criteria.



Just an interesting tidbit of information

ANU list:
http://www.supsalv.org/pdf/ANUView.pdf

 

[DevonDiver]

Far more important is knowing the correct procedures for cold-water diving.

The one time I had a cold-induced freeflow (sub-zero surface temp, 3 degrees celcius water) was because I had surfaced breathed the regulator as part of the buddy check.

I was only AOW at the time...so I guess I learned that lesson early on... and luckily made it up from 36m with the use of a pony cylinder. My 15L primary cylinder had emptied before I got to 18m. I attempted to breath from the freeflow, to conserve my pony as a last-ditch, but all that ice-cold, rush air just coated my teeth with ice (ouch!).

From that point onwards, when diving in sub-zero temperatures, I preserved the test breaths from reg/AAS until I was submerged (a bit like a tech diving S-Drill).

 

[spectrum]

I dive in Monterey CA. It is probably the coldest place I will dive. Do I need a cold water regulator? Or the normal one will do?

I'll defer to the locals that cite Monterrey diving as 50F conditions. For this you don't need a cold water regulator.

The common cut-offs I hear are in the mid to low 40's. The Navy 37F number was also mentioned above. Any cut-off is based on a lot of variables including tank pressure, model, breathing rate and depth exposure so no one number will be absolute.

Cold water is easily found in freshwater so don't think it's that remote.

Cold water capability is a minor step up in cost so unless you live on a tropical island it's a no-brainier.

As a new diver you really don't know where the sport will take you so I suggest covering the bases with a cold water regulator.

Pete

 

[theduckguru]

There is a difference in the freezing points of fresh water [32F] and salt water [O F].

When a reg says don't use below 50F, you will not get iced in fresh water or salt water.

 

[rstofer]

Okay but...

When the manufacturer says to not use their regulators below 50 deg F, it's probably best to pay attention. Oceanic, for one, says that NONE of their piston regulators can be used below 50 deg F. They insist you buy one of the CDX-5 or FDX-10 first stages (sealed diaphragm). So, you can use an Alpha 8 with a CDX-5 and get along just fine. Or dive in warm water...

I have seen the temp at Monterey in the mid 40's when the current from Japan is bringing in cold water through the trench (don't know the name).

If you want the same cold water regulator that the US Coast Guard, US Navy and NOAA have selected, it will be an Oceanic Delta 4/FDX10

My other choice would be the SP Mk17/G250V.

Personally, I dive old Oceanic Omega II's and they sure aren't sealed diaphragms. No problem so far. But I did buy cold water regulators for the rest of the herd.

Richard

 

[mathauck0814]

We dive in New England waters (high 30's to low 50's year round) with non-cold rated regulators. The thing I would suggest is a diaphragm regulator rather than a piston regulator if you're not going to go with something that's environmentally sealed. That said, we dive the sherwood blizzard reg for ice and scallop dives in the winter months and that's only nominally more than a non-cold rated reg. You can pick them up used for $200-$300 a few places I've seen online.