Cold weather OW training?

[LaCroix42]

So I'm going to be going by ST sometime in the near future when I get off of work on time to look at mask, fins, snorkel so I can drop the cash and take the plunge into an OW class (pun most definitely intended).

I work outside, hence, the cold is the bane of my existence. How does ST specifically and other LDS' generally handle the checkout dives when it's cold outside? I see on the site the checkouts are in Terrell and they are normally is bit cooler than the metroplex, so I don't imagine the water's all that warm. Dry suit is an AOW elective as I recall. I'm going to guess the answer is somewhere near "suck it up and get the thickest wetsuit you can find." Close? Off the mark?

Thanks!
LC

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by LaCroix42

..How does ST specifically and other LDS' generally handle the checkout dives when it's cold outside? I see on the site the checkouts are in Terrell and they are normally is bit cooler than the metroplex, so I don't imagine the water's all that warm.

I am not a spokesman for ST. I CAN say that the OW class this weekend will have 7mils and/or layered suits on. I was there for the fittings.

[fisheater]

As my teenaged son would say, "man up!"

Seriously. I'll be doing my OW dives next weekend in Monterey. Water temps should be in the low 50s and the weather forecast is for low 60s. If you get the hang of diving in cold water, wearing a thick wetsuit and carrying an unGodly amount of lead, you'll be a better diver for it. (At least that's what I'm continuing to tell myself.)

After that, a fun-in-the-sun tropical dive will present few challenges.

Good luck and tell us how it goes.

[MSilvia]

Look on the bright side... it's warmer there than here!

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

Look on the bright side... it's warmer there than here!

Your gonna DIE with that mask on your forehead!!!! LOL

[coyote]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

Look on the bright side... it's warmer there than here!

You know it's cold when you have to put salt down on the dock so divers don't slip in prematurely.

The last group of OW checkout dives the LDS did were in 50 degree water.
I think the secret is lots of neoprene, coffee and snacks. Not a bad weekend - the vis was pretty fantastic.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

Your gonna DIE with that mask on your forehead!!!! LOL

We've all gotta die of something.

[SarahBella]

Funny-My check out dives were in June here in Upstate NY and the water temp was in the upper 50's at the surface and past 25 feet...well, you know. Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming.

[Zyxistal]

Just suck it up and dive.

[Ryanh1801]

Look into buying a thick wetsuit. I have this one from ST and it works great, and the price is even better. I have had it in 53 degree water and stayed plenty warm. A hood helps a lot too.
NeoSport 7 Mil John & Jacket, Wetsuits: Men, Neosport, NeoSport 7 Mil John & Jacket