| Staying Active During the Winter Months | | | | back as you cool down. |
| | | | |
| You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to | | | | Wear a hat. Most body heat is lost through |
| scuba dive, but the sport is physically | | | | your head. Also, don't forget your gloves or |
| demanding. Don't allow yourself to become a | | | | mittens. |
| hefty couch potato during the winter | | | | |
| off-season. | | | | Chilly feet are discomforting. If you wear |
| | | | bulky socks, you may need to change your shoe |
| According to recent studies, poor physical | | | | size to accommodate the thickness. |
| fitness is a contributing factor in many dive | | | | |
| accidents. Staying physically active and fit | | | | Cold winter air is dry and conducive to |
| is important. Many divers participate in | | | | dehydration. Drink plenty of water and fluids |
| winter activities such as skiing, ice hockey, | | | | before, during, and after exercising. |
| and workouts at the gym. If you have access | | | | |
| to an indoor pool, that's even better. You | | | | Know the signs of hypothermia and get inside |
| can get a good cardiovascular workout and | | | | before you get too cold. |
| practice skills, such as mask clearing. To | | | | |
| reach your fitness goals, you must be | | | | Positive Side Effects of Exercise: |
| consistent in your workouts. A regular | | | | |
| schedule of three, thirty-minute sessions a | | | | Improved cardiovascular and pulmonary |
| week will do more for your body than | | | | efficiency |
| infrequent intense workouts. | | | | |
| | | | Increased muscle strength |
| Areas of Importance to Divers: | | | | |
| | | | Lower blood pressure |
| Moderate aerobic fitness. | | | | |
| | | | Weight loss and maintenance of optimum weight |
| You should be able to do about ten minutes of | | | | |
| moderate exercise without tiring easily. | | | | |
| | | | More energy |
| Moderate torso strength. You use those | | | | |
| muscles for donning equipment and hauling | | | | Reduced stress |
| gear. | | | | |
| | | | Better sleep |
| Average body fat. A good guide to follow is | | | | |
| "Body Composition - An Athlete's Guide" from | | | | Increased mental sharpness |
| your About Sports Medicine Guide. | | | | |
| | | | Improved immune system |
| Exercise Tips: | | | | |
| | | | More productive |
| Always warm up before exercising. Slow | | | | |
| stretching and muscle warming exercises help | | | | Not only will exercise improve your diving, |
| prevent injuries. | | | | it will improve your life. Below are examples |
| | | | of popular activities. Not all activities |
| Dress for the cold. If you'll be outside wear | | | | have the same degree of difficulty. Choose |
| your clothes in layers. As you warm up, | | | | one that suits your lifestyle and interests, |
| remove the unessential layers and add them | | | | and get started today. |