How Stupid Am I...

[bladephotog]

for even considering doing a New Year's dive at Gilboa in my Mares Isotherm semi-dry? It sounds like fun. And I'm a cold weather person. But this is a little different. I've been in 40-45 degree water in Lake Superior but that was in July so I didn't have to worry about freezing on the surface. Any tips if I get dumb enough to do this?

Thanks,

Andy

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Any tips if I get dumb enough to do this?

Take along a gallon milkjug in a cooler. Fill it with lukewarm tap water - 'bout the same temp as a hot shower. Just before you get in the water, have some other nutcase pull your collar away from your neck and dump the jug of warm water into your 'semi-dry'. Depending on hold cold the external water is, this may allow you to dive in relative comfort for about 30-40 minutes.

Oh, and make plans for getting out. Tarp to stand on, warm clothes to get into quickly, thermos of coffee or soup, that sort of thing.

Good luck.

 

[theskull]

A New Year's dive is supposed to be for stupid people, just like the Polar Bear swimmers' New Year's swim!

Go for it!!

Doc is putting you on the right track. The dive is no problem--anyone can tolerate a cold dive for 20 or 30 minutes. The key for fun and safety is to make sure you can be warm before the dive, and dry and warm immediately after the dive.

Enjoy,
theskull

 

[bladephotog]

Yeah, I thought about the polar bear swim, which they have one around here as well. But that's a quick in and out without having to worry about gear. I'm starting to think they're a bunch of weenies.

What about a bunch of those hand warmer things in some ziplocks to keep dry?

After the dive I figured I'd just jump into the back of my SUV with my wetsuit still on but unzipped.

 

[Jchoby]

I don't think the dive will be that bad...hanging out at the surface will be the challenge. Sounds like there will be several of us out there to do the New Year's Dive..we'll see ya there.

 

[Desa]

What about a bunch of those hand warmer things in some ziplocks to keep dry? QUOTE]

Same as allready said, pre warm suit with warm water, have a warm place to undress. Using a coleman stove to heat the water on scene works well.

Hand warmers have to have air to work. If you seal them in a ziplock, they will only work a couple of minutes. Plus, for the short time while they do work, they will be to hot directly next to the skin trapped under your wetsuit.

 

[diverbrian]

I plan to be there as well. But, I am wimping out. I have used my drysuit for almost all of my dives this season. Why should I stop now?

 

[bladephotog]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm still reserving the right to wimp out but maybe I'll see you there.

Andy

 

[cldwdiver]

Back in my youth (alas...where did it go??) I did lots of New Years dives in wetsuits.
Pre-soaking your suit with very warm water is the right start.

However, the real trick is to plan your exit and how you will get back into warm clothes without freezing. A family size tent that blocks the wind will do in a pinch.
You can also pour a slightly warm jug of water in after your dive, but not hot water.
Hot water "may" shock your body too much.

A warm building is better.
The best plan we ever made: we pulled the back seat out of my cousin's mini-van. We trudged up the boat ramp, shrugged off our tanks, climbed in and were driven straight to a warm building. (Remember the changing rooms should be open and warm at Gilboa.

I am also thinking this might be a fun get together.
Anyone local to Flint want to tag along down south ????

 

[bladephotog]

Alas, after all of this I won't be diving. I forgot, since I got a new tattoo a week ago I can't submerge it in water for three weeks. So one stupid act is keeping me from doing another. Thanks for the info anyway. Another reason why I need to get a drysuit. But the drysuit fund has started!