intro to c-c-c-c-cold water?

[zepp157]

Howdy,

I'd like to take my first cold water plunge in the Monterey Bay at the end of this month and was wondering what you guys would recommend to get up to speed. (I've made 50 or so warm water dives over the last 12 years including a recent refresher course and four dives.) Is this something that can be covered in a 10 minute tailgate talk or should I be investigating a class and pool time? Any recommendations on hooking up with an intro dive group?

Thanks in advance,
Jon

 

[Diver0001]

Are you considering diving in a drysuit?

R..

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

There's a bit more than just the staying warm aspect.
Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ba_diving/
then click on files, WebSite, newmontereydiver.

And Diver0001 is right about a dry suit needing training.
And even a cold water wetsuit needs special attention
to buoyancy. Because you have so much suit, the
change in buoyancy with depth is much greater, and
most tropical divers get away with bad buoyancy control
because of the thin suits.

 

[Desa]

Cold is a relevant term. Is it going to be cold enough that you need enviormently sealed regs to help lesson the chance of freeflow? Is it cold enough you are going to have to take a chainsaw and cut a hole in the ice? Are you wearing a drysuit, full face mask? There are a lot of questions and most of these require training to answer. Point is: Seek out professional help from a qualified instructor.

But, with training, it is something that is a lot of fun. My 13 year old daughter dove with me yesterday in 42 degree water and enjoyed it enough that she wants to do it again.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

He said Monterey. Temp range is 44F-57F, typ. 49F. It
was 56F on both dives there yesterday (looks like an El
Nino year).

I don't give advice on Indiana quarry diving or ice diving.
How about letting those of us with actual Monterey
experience help him?

 

[Dryglove]

You can also hire a guide for your first dives in monterey from one of the many dive shops in monterey. Actually i am not to sure how many of the shops offer guide services but i would tend to think a majority of them would have a guide service if given enough notice. Mantaray dive is my favorite shop in the area and does offer guide services.

If you decide to forego a guide service try to find a experienced monterey diver and choose a easy site for your first dive like breakwater along the wall. The wall makes navigation easy and the site doesnt go much deeper than 45 feet.

Chuck is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to diving monterey and has probably logged more dives there than all of the monterey divers on this board combined

 

[Brian Gilpin]

Chuck is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to diving monterey and has probably logged more dives there than all of the monterey divers on this board combined

And he never lets that go unnoticed either. Personally I welcome other knowledgeable opinions and questions.

 

[Rick Inman]

Well, I've only made about 25 dives in Monterey, so I'm not sure I'm qualified to comment... But I do have a few more up here in the Pacific North West where the water does get cold as well, and here is what I find.
Classes are good. Guides are good. But nothing beats getting mentored by other experienced divers. Try to hook up with local, experienced divers who are willing to dive with you and show you the ropes. It's amazing how much you'll learn after a dozen dives!
You'll know a good mentor by their attitude as well as their skill.
Here is the reply from the person you do NOT want to mentor you: "Take a class, sonny. The diving here is to dangerous for anyone but great divers like us."
Here is the reply from the person you DO want to mentor you: "Come dive with us and we'll help you out!"
Easy.

 

[humanFish]

Howdy,

I'd like to take my first cold water plunge in the Monterey Bay at the end of this month and was wondering what you guys would recommend to get up to speed. (I've made 50 or so warm water dives over the last 12 years including a recent refresher course and four dives.) Is this something that can be covered in a 10 minute tailgate talk or should I be investigating a class and pool time? Any recommendations on hooking up with an intro dive group?

Thanks in advance,
Jon

I echo the comments regarding training and hooking up with someone that is willing to show you the ropes. Some of the things that come to mind regarding Monterey diving are:

1) Proper weighting
2) Proper thermal protection & keeping warm in between dives
3) Diving in kelp (there are specific techniques/dangers to consider with kelp diving)
4) Navigation skills

For your first dive in Monterey I would recommend doing a shore dive at the Breakwater. This is a good spot to get acclimated as you will find good parking and easy beach access. The breakwater itself is nice as it more or less takes navigation stresses away as you are diving along the wall. In essence, swim out a ways, drop down, continue down with the wall/rocks at the right till you hit 50-60 feet of water or wherever you are comfortable, then turn around and work your way back with the wall on your left. Make sure to check out all the "little" things hiding in the rocks...Monterey diving is very interesting from a macro perspective.

There are usually lots of people at breakwater, so it's comforting to have other divers around..and lots of people to answer questions or point you in the right direction.

Once you feel properly weighted and comfortable, you might try the Metridium fields(San Carlos Beach - next to breakwater)...although a guided dive is advised at least for the first time at this site.

Also, the biggest thing to get used to with diving Monterey compared to diving in warm (IMHO) waters is the difference in weighting and thermal protection....

BTW - what days are you going to be in Monterey? I'm sure some people, including myself, might be interested in hooking up for a group dive.

 

[Desa]

Why all the flaming?

Rick, I am not an instructor drumming for business. I am just anothre diver. If he can get the proper help/training from another diver even better. My only concern is that the person get help/advice/assistance what ever you wanted to call it. I hate to read about diver statistics.

So Chuck, since I apparently stepped on your toes, I am sorry. I will step back in to the dark and stop offering advice and leave it to those of you with real diving experince.