SA - Cape west coast diving

[Mordred]

Hi,

Has anyone gone diving in the Cape west coast's freezing water?

Will this qualify as cold enough water for the use of cold-water regs? What about exposure suit requirements? I guess my 5mm semi-dry is not going to cut it!

Thanks in advance

 

[scubaculture]

I have had a few dives there in a 5mm but you would be better off with at least a 7mm. Make sure you have a hood!

 

[Mordred]

I have had a few dives there in a 5mm but you would be better off with at least a 7mm. Make sure you have a hood!

Thanks!

Does that mean I need to look at using a cold water reg when diving there?

 

[scubaculture]

Not really sure, people say the Mk25 S600 setup isnt for cold water but I had zero problems with free flow or anything when I dived there.

Been to around 8 degrees with this zetup and have had no problems.

If you get your Aqualung I am sure you will be fine

 

[Mordred]

Not really sure, people say the Mk25 S600 setup isnt for cold water but I had zero problems with free flow or anything when I dived there.

Been to around 8 degrees with this zetup and have had no problems.

If you get your Aqualung I am sure you will be fine

Excellent. Thanks for the info.

 

[vjongene]

Will this qualify as cold enough water for the use of cold-water regs? What about exposure suit requirements? I guess my 5mm semi-dry is not going to cut it!

As I remember, the water temps on the West side of the Cape rarely drop below 10 C. This is chilly, but not enough to create problems with a regular reg. I dove there in a 2-piece 5 mm suit and that was fine. But then, I am used to diving in water at 4-6 C

 

[Mordred]

As I remember, the water temps on the West side of the Cape rarely drop below 10 C. This is chilly, but not enough to create problems with a regular reg. I dove there in a 2-piece 5 mm suit and that was fine. But then, I am used to diving in water at 4-6 C

I spent some time in Europe, and lets just say after freezing my kneecaps off in the Bavarian winter I'll never complain about South African weather ever again!

 

[NamTinker]

Although I am now in Canada, I did some diving of Walvis Bay in Namibia. Temperature varied from 5-13 degrees. Viz terrible: 2-5m. I used Apeks regs. I used a 4mm full suit + and 5mm top/hoodie combination at one time in False Bay when it was 10 C and I simply froze, especially on the deeper dives. Tried the same Walvis Bay... It was a short dive! Now using a drysuit. Never had a free flow problem with any main reg, octo or pony. Neither had any of the other divers in the group and they used anything from Poseidon to Aqualung. But cold water combined with worries about your regs is not a good combination. And your air consumption simply goes through the roof when you're cold.

 

[AndyT]

Hi

Cold water rig is not necessary , but a 7mm wetsuit is a good idea .
I dive in a 5mm suit sometimes and you will be cold at the end of the
dive depending on the temp - between 9 and 14 deg C .

Safe Diving

Andrew