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Safety is a top priority for www.seeoursea.com and it should be a top one anywhere. 

We enjoy bringing you interesting articles to you about scuba. Take a few minutes to review this exciting article and then you can scroll down to the "SCUBA DIVING FOR BEGINNERS" article. We have also provided you with some other interesting pages on safety and Fun tips. Enjoy!!!

Thermal Protection: HOW to Dive in cold water

How the Cold Affects You

Being exposed to cold conditions has an effect on your blood's circulation. Usually, blood flow to your skin and appendages is diminished in favor of keeping your vital organs warm. The reduction in circulation happens gradually over the course of a dive or multiple dives. Because of the impaired blood flow to your body's appendages, finger dexterity is reduced. This can lessen your ability to perform certain skills such as mask clearing, and the capabilities to adjust straps and belts or operate snaps and clips. Moreover, it is thought that the body tissues of the skin and extremities will have a reduced off-gassing due to the decreased blood flow. Thus, you will have a higher risk of decompression illness (DCI).

Also, when your body is cold during a dive, your rate of breathing increases, which means your rate of air consumption increases, too. As a matter of fact, it will almost double. You'll end up using more air from your tanks in less time than if you were doing the same dive under warmer conditions. Furthermore, you'll have to end your dive with more reserve air in your tank. For example: if you normally end a dive with 200 psi of air, you'll need to end with 400 psi. 200 psi might not be enough if you're cold and your air use has increased.

The effects of being cold and minor problems could climax into a real emergency.

How A Wetsuit Works

A wetsuit is the most common item of exposure protection. The purpose of a wetsuit is to insulate your body and minimize heat loss. Wetsuits operate by trapping a layer of water between your skin and the suit. The heat from your body warms up the layer of water, which helps you retain your body's temperature. The thickness and quality of the wetsuit material (usually neoprene) determine the suit's ability to insulate. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer you'll stay. Also, your wetsuit will decrease heat loss by minimizing the water's movement across your skin. This is why the wetsuit's cut, fit, stretch, seals, and fasteners are important.

A dry suit is the next most common item of exposure protection. It works in much the same way as a wetsuit, except that it keeps you dry. A dry suit insulates your body by trapping air between your skin and the suit, instead of water.

As you descend in the water, your wetsuit compresses because of the water's pressure. This compression of the wetsuit reduces your buoyancy and thermal protection. The biggest reduction in your wetsuit's bulk and insulating protection occurs in the first thirty-three feet of water. There is no way to make up for the lost insulation once you're in the water. Compensate before the dive by putting on extra layers of thermal protection to meet the demands of your diving conditions.

Choosing the proper exposure suit is an important part of planning your dive, whether or not you use a wetsuit or dry suit. By logging water temperatures, depths, bottom times, and thermal protection information, you'll put together a statistical reference work for future dive planning.

Five Strategies For Preserving Body Heat:

For a more comfortable and ultimately safer dive follow these tips for conserving body heat.

• Stay warm before the dive. Heat loss is gradual and can start long before you get to the dive site.
• Stay warm between repetitive dives. Standing around in wet gear between dives can add to your body's deprivation of warmth through evaporative heat loss.
• Get warmed up as soon as possible after a dive. You can start on the dive boat by toweling off and getting into dry clothes.
• You can develop hypothermia without immediately recognizing it. When choosing your exposure suit, err on the side of thermal protection.
• Become an educated consumer. Visit your local dive shop and have them show you the different styles of protective garments and accessories. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

~AND~

Staying Active During the Winter Months

According to recent studies, poor physical fitness is a contributing factor in many dive accidents. Staying physically active and fit is important. Many divers participate in winter activities such as skiing, ice hockey, and workouts at the gym. If you have access to an indoor pool, that's even better. You can get a good cardiovascular workout and practice skills, such as mask clearing. To reach your fitness goals, you must be consistent in your workouts. A regular schedule of three, thirty-minute sessions a week will do more for your body than infrequent intense workouts.

Areas of Importance to Divers:

• Moderate aerobic fitness. You should be able to do about ten minutes of moderate exercise without tiring easily.
• Moderate torso strength. You use those muscles for donning equipment and hauling gear.

Exercise Tips:

• Always warm up before exercising. Slow stretching and muscle warming exercises help prevent injuries.
• Dress for the cold. If you'll be outside wear your clothes in layers. As you warm up, remove the unessential layers and add them back as you cool down.
• Wear a hat. Most body heat is lost through your head. Also, don't forget your gloves or mittens.
• Chilly feet are discomforting. If you wear bulky socks, you may need to change your shoe size to accommodate the thickness.
• Cold winter air is dry and conducive to dehydration. Drink plenty of water and fluids before, during, and after exercising.
• Know the signs of hypothermia and get inside before you get too cold.

Positive Side Effects of Exercise:

• Improved cardiovascular and pulmonary efficiency
• Increased muscle strength
• Lower blood pressure
• Weight loss and maintenance of optimum weight
• More energy
• Reduced stress
• Better sleep
• Increased mental sharpness
• Improved immune system
• More productive

Not only will exercise improve your diving, it will improve your life. Below are examples of popular activities. Not all activities have the same degree of difficulty. Choose one that suits your lifestyle and interests, and get started today.

The Five Ws

Scuba diving is a complex sport and cannot be fully understood in one lesson. Before taking your first scuba class, you should have a firm comprehension of the five Ws (who, what, where, when, and why) of scuba diving.

Who can dive?
Just about anyone can become a diver. Scuba diving is an equal opportunity sport open to men, women and children of any race, color, religion, national origin, handicap or familial status. However, there are a few limitations on age and health for safety purposes. Here is a quick breakdown of criteria:

- Age
Anyone 15 years old or older can become an Open Water Diver. Children between the ages of 10 and 15 can receive a Junior Open Water Diver certification. At the age of 15 they can upgrade to a regular Open Water Diver certification.

There are programs available for younger children that will help prepare them for certification such as the Bubblemakers, Scuba rangers, and SASY.