Why do I feel colder in the Lake.......

[King_of_All_Tyrants]

Hello All-

Looking through my dive log, I've noted something strange.

Situation 1: Northern California beach dive. DUI TLS, 200gr. Thinsulate Undies, DUI hood, overweighted, otherwise standard setup. Surface temp 52-56 (don't remember), temp at max depth (40') is 48. Vis: about 10 feet. Beach dive, gently I don't feel cold until towards the "far point" of our dive, when I got chilled because I probably don't have enough underwear.

Situation 2: local lake. Same equipment, and also probably overweighted by about the same %. Surface temp 70, temp at first 27' thermocline 58, temp at 58' 48. Vis: about 5 feet. This is a wall dive; there's a ledge at 30' but afterwards it goes down to 60' (which might was well be a black hole). However, this time I'm fine about the first thermocline, but then when I get past the first thermocline I do feel a chill, and my body refuses to go further because it feels too cold. It takes a few minutes to acclimate myself before I'm ready to go, and changes in temperature at further depths make me breathe VERY heavily.

What gives in the second situation? I'm especially perplexed because I was fine on the beach dive. Do you all have any suggestions on how to cope with this?

Thanks,

KoAT

 

[jefffalcone]

What was the air temperature? I get cold much more quickly when the air temp. is cool even if the water is relatively warm.

 

[spectrum]

Fresh water thermoclines in my experience are much more defined and severe. That being said you will encounter some shocking temperature shifts that take adjustment. In the ocean they are smaller and less abrupt changes that I can absorb while barely noticing.

Pete

 

[gary-ramey]

You probably feel colder because the thermocline is drastic. I know when I dived Catalina that the surface temp was great. When I hit that thermocline at 75ft the temp must've really dropped a great deal because I went from feeling warm to shivering. Like you, I said enough is enough and went up a bit to enjoy the rest of the dive.

 

[dschulte]

Hello All-

Looking through my dive log, I've noted something strange.

Situation 1: Northern California beach dive. DUI TLS, 200gr. Thinsulate Undies, DUI hood, overweighted, otherwise standard setup. Surface temp 52-56 (don't remember), temp at max depth (40') is 48. Vis: about 10 feet. Beach dive, gently I don't feel cold until the very last point of our dive, when I get a bit chilled because I probably don't have enough underwear.

Situation 2: local lake. Same equipment, and also probably overweighted by about the same %. Surface temp 70, temp at first 27' thermocline 58, temp at 58' 48. Vis: about 5 feet. This is a wall dive; there's a ledge at 30' but afterwards it goes down to 60' (which might was well be a black hole). However, this time I'm fine about the first thermocline, but then when I get past the first thermocline I do feel a chill, and my body refuses to go further because it feels too cold. It takes a few minutes to acclimate myself before I'm ready to go, and changes in temperature at further depths make me breathe VERY heavily.

What gives in the second situation? I'm especially perplexed because I was fine on the beach dive. Do you all have any suggestions on how to cope with this?

Thanks,

KoAT

Definitely the larger T-Cline, you will seem colder initially but should get use to it. Although with 200gr you should have been toasty in 48° water. If you think that you need more warmth, try adding a pair of Hot Chili’s long underwear to your ensemble. They are short money and greatly increase the thermal value. That is all I wear with my dry suit in water down to 60°.
:monkeydan

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Because in lakes there's nothing to see the only thing to focus on is how bored you are and how cold you are feeling?



(Also - was there current or swell in the ocean dives - swimming against moving water will warm you up a lot faster than the more sedate pace of lake diving..)

 

[King_of_All_Tyrants]

Thanks for the replies so far. The change from dramatic T-clines makes sense.

To answer some extra questions:

Air temp was around 65 (No.CA) to 80 (Lake).

I also do wear some Patagonia Capilene 3 under the 200gr. What can I say - I'm a cold wuss. Though the source of my heat loss may have been my head rather than from the suit.

ETA: there was some wave action, but not a huge amount. It may have been enough to make a difference.

And Tassie you should post about your dives in Russia, China, and Mongolia (or if such a post exists please PM me a link). Be advised that such a thread will be worthless without pics.

 

[Garrobo]

Tassie got it right.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

I'll be diving in Mongolia in a few weeks and will post a few photos soon after. As its a lake I'll be taking a good book down under with me to give me something to do while submerged....

 

[mislav]

What gives in the second situation? I'm especially perplexed because I was fine on the beach dive. Do you all have any suggestions on how to cope with this?

Breakfast/lunch maybe? You can handle cold better if you had something to eat prior to the dive. Skipping the meal and/or sleep does have some effect.