What are the dangers of fresh water diving?

[Crock]

Is there any major danger in fresh water diving?
(ex. saltwater = Sharks, and everything else that can kill you.)

I was asked this by a friend and was stumped. My answer was ummm ..... I will get back to you on that.

Thanks for the posts.

 

[elmer fudd]

I believe there's more risk of disease, infection and other similar health issues. Fresh water is more hospitable to germs.

There can also be an added risk of DCS at higher altitudes.

I think that's about it though.

 

[captndale]

How about amoebas that eat your brain.

 

[scubasaurus94]

Do you mean dangers that exist in all bodies of fresh water, like diseases and things mentioned above, or dangers that can be typical of freshwater sites?

If it's the latter, low viz and cold might be issues.

 

[boat sju]

fishing line

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

gators, Nessie, stuff like that....

 

[ben_wilson3301]

Well for rivers there is an incredible amount of current with 2 inch visiblility and lots of debris, including roller dams that can chop you to bits. As far as fish go, pike and muskie can be quite nasty but bites are uncommon.

 

[adurso]

Carcharhinus leucas, AKA the bull shark in the US can live in fresh water, and has been found in plenty of fresh water venues around the world causing some mayhem...

 

[wrybosome]

Nessie

Yetis come down for a drink.

I remember FastBottoms posting once about how freshwater marinas were more dangerous to dive if any electricals are improperly grounded. That's the only thing I ever heard specific to freshwater.

 

[Crock]

All the above. Any danger that a person may face.
"Fresh water is more hospitable to germs." was a good one posted.