archer1960
Contributor
This question is just pure curiosity on my part, to see if I'm somewhat typical, or more of an outlier in my tolerance for cold water.
How many of you keep diving "late" into the season? I am in New England (Northeastern USA for those of you from other parts of the world), and the water here was 54F (~12.5C) on Sunday when I went out on a shore dive with a small group from a LDS. The water was the same temperature from the surface down to our deepest point at 64' (19.5m), so we don't have to deal with a thermocline. There seem to be only 4 or 5 regulars now that we're getting into late November. I have been certified for about 1.5 yrs, and just started diving local waters this past summer; all my previous dives were in the tropics. I have 10-12 local dives since June. I have planned all along to keep diving until I decide the water is too cold for me, then shut it down for the winter (a dry suit isn't in the budget for this year). But so far, I've been comfortable in my 7mm suit, 5mm booties, and 3mm hood and gloves. I am going to use some heavier gloves next time out, but my hands weren't unbearably cold this time, just a little uncomfortable.
From what I've experienced so far, I think I'll probably be comfortable down to ~50F (10C) or so before I shut it down for the winter. Though I might go out on New Years day just to say I did...
How many of you keep diving recreationally in similar conditions?
How many of you keep diving "late" into the season? I am in New England (Northeastern USA for those of you from other parts of the world), and the water here was 54F (~12.5C) on Sunday when I went out on a shore dive with a small group from a LDS. The water was the same temperature from the surface down to our deepest point at 64' (19.5m), so we don't have to deal with a thermocline. There seem to be only 4 or 5 regulars now that we're getting into late November. I have been certified for about 1.5 yrs, and just started diving local waters this past summer; all my previous dives were in the tropics. I have 10-12 local dives since June. I have planned all along to keep diving until I decide the water is too cold for me, then shut it down for the winter (a dry suit isn't in the budget for this year). But so far, I've been comfortable in my 7mm suit, 5mm booties, and 3mm hood and gloves. I am going to use some heavier gloves next time out, but my hands weren't unbearably cold this time, just a little uncomfortable.
From what I've experienced so far, I think I'll probably be comfortable down to ~50F (10C) or so before I shut it down for the winter. Though I might go out on New Years day just to say I did...
How many of you keep diving recreationally in similar conditions?