Your ultimate scuba diving tips


Cold water diving

Thermal  Protectionthe water's movement across your skin. This
is why the wetsuit's cut, fit, stretch,
While most divers are putting their scubaseals,  and  fasteners  are  important.
equipment into winter storage, others are
gearing up for a season of cold water diving.A dry suit is the next most common item of
It's a great way for you to remain active inexposure protection. It works in much the
the sport throughout the year. But, in ordersame way as a wetsuit, except that it keeps
to remain a contented and safe diver, youyou dry. A dry suit insulates your body by
need  to  know  about  thermal  protection.trapping air between your skin and the suit,
instead  of  water.
How  the  Cold  Affects  You
As you descend in the water, your wetsuit
Being exposed to cold conditions has ancompresses because of the water's pressure.
effect on your blood's circulation. Usually,This compression of the wetsuit reduces your
blood flow to your skin and appendages isbuoyancy and thermal protection. The biggest
diminished in favor of keeping your vitalreduction in your wetsuit's bulk and
organs warm. The reduction in circulationinsulating protection occurs in the first
happens gradually over the course of a divethirty-three feet of water. There is no way
or multiple dives. Because of the impairedto make up for the lost insulation once
blood flow to your body's appendages, fingeryou're in the water. Compensate before the
dexterity is reduced. This can lessen yourdive by putting on extra layers of thermal
ability to perform certain skills such asprotection to meet the demands of your diving
mask clearing, and the capabilities to adjustconditions.
straps and belts or operate snaps and clips.
Choosing the proper exposure suit is an
Moreover, it is thought that the body tissuesimportant part of planning your dive, whether
of the skin and extremities will have aor not you use a wetsuit or dry suit. By
reduced off-gassing due to the decreasedlogging water temperatures, depths, bottom
blood flow. Thus, you will have a higher risktimes, and thermal protection information,
of  decompression  illness  (DCI).you'll put together a statistical reference
work  for  future  dive  planning.
Also, when your body is cold during a dive,
your rate of breathing increases, which meansFive  Strategies  For  Preserving Body Heat:
your rate of air consumption increases, too.
As a matter of fact, it will almost double.For a more comfortable and ultimately safer
You'll end up using more air from your tanksdive follow these tips for conserving body
in less time than if you were doing the sameheat.
dive under warmer conditions. Furthermore,
you'll have to end your dive with moreStay warm before the dive. Heat loss is
reserve air in your tank. For example: if yougradual and can start long before you get to
normally end a dive with 200 psi of air,the  dive  site.
you'll need to end with 400 psi. 200 psi
might not be enough if you're cold and yourStay warm between repetitive dives. Standing
air  use  has  increased.around in wet gear between dives can add to
your body's deprivation of warmth through
The effects of being cold and minor problemsevaporative  heat  loss.
could  climax  into  a  real  emergency.
Get warmed up as soon as possible after a
How  A  Wetsuit  Worksdive. You can start on the dive boat by
toweling  off  and getting into dry clothes.
A wetsuit is the most common item of exposure
protection. The purpose of a wetsuit is toYou can develop hypothermia without
insulate your body and minimize heat loss.immediately recognizing it. When choosing
Wetsuits operate by trapping a layer of wateryour exposure suit, err on the side of
between your skin and the suit. The heat fromthermal  protection.
your body warms up the layer of water, which
helps you retain your body's temperature. TheBecome an educated consumer. Visit your local
thickness and quality of the wetsuit materialdive shop and have them show you the
(usually neoprene) determine the suit'sdifferent styles of protective garments and
ability to insulate. The thicker theaccessories. Don't be afraid to ask
neoprene, the warmer you'll stay. Also, yourquestions.
wetsuit will decrease heat loss by minimizing



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