IMHO, proper insulation ( thickness/fit ) goes along way to minimizing the effects of cold, but a reduction in manual dexterity is a fact of life for the cold water diver.
Operating your power inflator/exhaust, mask clearing, air sharing & other "hands on" tasks are complicated by the style of glove/mitt you're wearing. Most people dive the 3 finger style mitt in very cold water, others try to get by with a glove style, but often suffer colder hands for it, which further reduces dexterity & tactile sense.
In very cold water, "numb lips" syndrome can be bothersome when performing air sharing or the "breathe-thru freeflow" drill. All these complications require that you perform your o/w drills slowly & precisely.
Someone earlier mentioned the necessity of exposing the face to cold water on surface prior to submerging...excellent advice! Further, it is also wise to slowly flood your mask when doing mask doff/don. You never want to shock yourself with sudden exposure to icy water, nor do you want to suck back cold water into your throat, thereby risking laryngospasm. Always take a cautious first breath when replacing a snorkel or regulator to avoid accidental inspiration of cold water.
Become a proficient cold water diver & your trips to the bathwaters of the south will be a walk in the park.
Good luck!
D.S.D.
Operating your power inflator/exhaust, mask clearing, air sharing & other "hands on" tasks are complicated by the style of glove/mitt you're wearing. Most people dive the 3 finger style mitt in very cold water, others try to get by with a glove style, but often suffer colder hands for it, which further reduces dexterity & tactile sense.
In very cold water, "numb lips" syndrome can be bothersome when performing air sharing or the "breathe-thru freeflow" drill. All these complications require that you perform your o/w drills slowly & precisely.
Someone earlier mentioned the necessity of exposing the face to cold water on surface prior to submerging...excellent advice! Further, it is also wise to slowly flood your mask when doing mask doff/don. You never want to shock yourself with sudden exposure to icy water, nor do you want to suck back cold water into your throat, thereby risking laryngospasm. Always take a cautious first breath when replacing a snorkel or regulator to avoid accidental inspiration of cold water.
Become a proficient cold water diver & your trips to the bathwaters of the south will be a walk in the park.
Good luck!
D.S.D.
. I really look forward to the easy shorty wetsuit diving in warm waters on vacations.
