How cold is cold water?

[lucas*]

I often see people saying if you're going to dive in cold water you need a cold water reg so you dont get freeflows, but I'm unable to find anywhere where people define how cold cold water is. just how cold are we talking for it to become enough of an issue to make getting a cold water reg compulsory?

 

[Jorgy]

I tried to find a quick reference but was unable......from memory......

To be called a cold water regulator, it should exceed CE NE250 standards which makes it suitable for use in less than 10 Degree C water.....

I will keep checking©å..

M

 

[NudeDiver]

I often see people saying if you're going to dive in cold water you need a cold water reg so you dont get freeflows, but I'm unable to find anywhere where people define how cold cold water is. just how cold are we talking for it to become enough of an issue to make getting a cold water reg compulsory?

From the readings on here that I have done, the cut-off point seems to be about 40F. Below that, a lot of people have recommended a CW reg in their posts.

It's important to note though that, to some degree, technique can play a role in what you can get away with. If you tend to "overbreathe" your regulator, the cutoff point could be higher than 40F. Other posts have indicated that if you have very good technique, the cutoff point drops.

FWIW, I've used a regulator that is widely considered to be a crappy free-flowing regulator (ScubaPro M25/S600) in 38F water, without issues. I also don't think I have particularly good technique - maybe more like average.

Good luck!
ND

 

[D_B]

less than 10c = less than 50f ... I think I remeber reading on the board that the comon feeling is that less than 50f you would want a cold water regulator

Breathing .. good points NudeDiver

 

[DA Aquamaster]

50 degrees F is the generally accepted cutoff. On most regs, it gets critical around 40-45 degrees F

 

[CWCanuck]

For those like me who don't get the Deg F thing....

50 deg F = 10.0 deg C
45 deg F = 7.2 deg C
40 deg F = 4.4 deg C

CW

 

[Walter]

...or C=(F-32)*5/9

going the other way F=(C*9/5)+32

or you can simply remember that 0 C = 32 F and that every 5 degrees C is 9 degrees F, so 5 C = 41 F, 10 C = 50 F, 15C = 59 F, etc. that will get you close enough for most things, the formulas are precise.

 

[rstofer]

I just bought my wife an Oceanic Delta 4/FDX 10 and I actually read the Owner's Guide. In the guide it clearly states that Oceanic piston first stages are not designed for use below 50 deg F (10 deg C). So, that's the 'stake in the ground' for Oceanic. At least for piston regs.

Now, the FDX 10 is a diaphragm regulator and should be more capable of dealing with cold water. The US Coast Guard, Navy and NOAA seem to like it.

But the really neat thing about the Owner's Guide is that it is so obsolete that it only covers the Delta 3 and doesn't discuss the FDX 10 at all. How come a big company like Oceanic can't come up with an Owner's Guide for their current regulators? And just what is the capability of the FDX 10 in cold water? Oceanic doesn't even give a hint.

Richard

 

[bane51031]

50 degrees is the norm., like they said above if you overbreathe your reg. you can have more problems.

I generally change the settings on my regs for cold water diving to also decrease risk of a freeflow, we had a group of divers from another town a month back and there brand was freeflowing like mad, the water temps were 33 degrees and the surface temp. with windchill was almost 35 below the 2 heaters in the shack were getting a workout that day. That is why we keep the thermos of hot water on standby....

 

[rstofer]

50 degrees is the norm., like they said above if you overbreathe your reg. you can have more problems.

I generally change the settings on my regs for cold water diving to also decrease risk of a freeflow, we had a group of divers from another town a month back and there brand was freeflowing like mad, the water temps were 33 degrees and the surface temp. with windchill was almost 35 below the 2 heaters in the shack were getting a workout that day. That is why we keep the thermos of hot water on standby....

I'm NEVER going to dive in water that cold but... What regulator are you using that is successful at these temperatures.

Richard