Fishkiller
Contributor
- Messages
- 1,169
- Reaction score
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- # of dives
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First of all I would like to thank Rick Murchison for his direction, a leader by example.
While most divers are putting their scuba gear into winter storage, others are gearing up for a season cold water diving; there are people that continue in their cold water diving. It's a great way for you to remain active in the sport year round. But, you need to remain a Comfortable Alert Diver. Being cold takes the fun out of diving, and beyond enjoyment, theres the potential for a serious health threat if you get to cold(PADI OW page 77).
Being exposed to cold conditions has an effect on your bloods circulation. Usually, blood flow to your skin and appendages is diminished in favor of keeping your vital organs warm. The reduction in circulation happens gradually over the course of a dive or multiple dives. Because of the impaired blood flow to your body's appendages, finger dexterity is reduced. This can lessen your ability to perform certain skills such as mask clearing and the capabilities to adjust straps and belts or operate snaps and clips. Moreover, it is thought that the body tissues of the skin and extremities will have a reduced off-gassing due to the decreased blood flow. Thus, you will have a higher risk of Decompression sickness (DCI). Also, when your body is cold during a dive, your rate of breathing increases, which means your rate of air consumption increases, too. As a matter of fact, it will almost double. You'll end up using more air from your tanks in less time than if you were doing the same dive under warmer conditions. The effects of being cold and minor problems could climax into a real emergency (off the net).
Drysuits are intended to keep you DRY; they don't keep you WARM. Much body heat is lost through the head, This led to the use of neoprene wet hoods by most divers. Full-face masks also reduce the amount of heat loss, because less of the head is exposed. More importantly gloves, whether dry or wet, can make it difficult to manipulate your diving equipment (DIVER - January 1999).
From a poll over half of you that replied stated there is no limit yet to which you would not dive. Then when I asked about the dangers a diver face most responses were towards your buddy. I ask this Why add the hazards listed above to a rather enjoyable sport? We take enough risks just by becoming divers; why voluntary go into a situation where your task loading will put you or your buddy in further danger? There is no room for being macho and there are times to walk away, dedication is not to be confused with deterimination. I just want to restate it's a great way for you to remain active in the sport year round. But, you need to remain a Comfortable Alert Diver.
While most divers are putting their scuba gear into winter storage, others are gearing up for a season cold water diving; there are people that continue in their cold water diving. It's a great way for you to remain active in the sport year round. But, you need to remain a Comfortable Alert Diver. Being cold takes the fun out of diving, and beyond enjoyment, theres the potential for a serious health threat if you get to cold(PADI OW page 77).
Being exposed to cold conditions has an effect on your bloods circulation. Usually, blood flow to your skin and appendages is diminished in favor of keeping your vital organs warm. The reduction in circulation happens gradually over the course of a dive or multiple dives. Because of the impaired blood flow to your body's appendages, finger dexterity is reduced. This can lessen your ability to perform certain skills such as mask clearing and the capabilities to adjust straps and belts or operate snaps and clips. Moreover, it is thought that the body tissues of the skin and extremities will have a reduced off-gassing due to the decreased blood flow. Thus, you will have a higher risk of Decompression sickness (DCI). Also, when your body is cold during a dive, your rate of breathing increases, which means your rate of air consumption increases, too. As a matter of fact, it will almost double. You'll end up using more air from your tanks in less time than if you were doing the same dive under warmer conditions. The effects of being cold and minor problems could climax into a real emergency (off the net).
Drysuits are intended to keep you DRY; they don't keep you WARM. Much body heat is lost through the head, This led to the use of neoprene wet hoods by most divers. Full-face masks also reduce the amount of heat loss, because less of the head is exposed. More importantly gloves, whether dry or wet, can make it difficult to manipulate your diving equipment (DIVER - January 1999).
From a poll over half of you that replied stated there is no limit yet to which you would not dive. Then when I asked about the dangers a diver face most responses were towards your buddy. I ask this Why add the hazards listed above to a rather enjoyable sport? We take enough risks just by becoming divers; why voluntary go into a situation where your task loading will put you or your buddy in further danger? There is no room for being macho and there are times to walk away, dedication is not to be confused with deterimination. I just want to restate it's a great way for you to remain active in the sport year round. But, you need to remain a Comfortable Alert Diver.
As you said, we always have to remain alert when diving, when we add the added "challenge" of diving cold, we must be aware the inherent risks associated with it.
