Lowering body temperature.

[defofthecrown]

Well, my buddy took my advice and ordered a 7mm medium density open cell inside freediving suit. He normally only dives in Northern California with 48-55 degree water.


It was a cold day in the water last Sunday when he used the suit for the first time and he said he was about to die! He kept trying to flood the suit but couldn't keep his body cool enough. I don't know if he can dive w/ the hood off b/c the water is very cold here.

What is the best solution for him to have a more comfortable dive? The only thing I can think of is to send the suit to 120' for a few minutes to crush the neoprene a little. He already has crappy 3 mil gloves and socks so I don't know what to tell him. Any ideas fellas?

 

[efattah]

The fastest way to cool yourself down (other than taking off the hood or flooding the suit) is to drink icy cold water or juice.

Another idea is to reduce your food for a while before diving.

 

[Longfins]

Some questions: Did you guys swim out to the dive location? Long walk to the water? Kayaking? I wear 5mm and can overheat if I don't keep my movement to a minimum before getting in the water or have too much of a swim.

And some suggestions:
- Have your buddy really hang loose in the water as extra movement like fidgeting and 'trying to flood the suit' can generate the excess heat.
- Put a small flexible tube (Tygon tubing) down his face suit opening down his neck area so cold water can circulate through and cool him off.
- You can have your buddy soak the suit in the cold water before putting it on, that might help too (for a short while.)
- Dive without expending much energy (say free immerse down a line) so the compressed wetsuit can let some coldness through from the water. Find a friendly thermocline.

Peter S.

 

[Per]

An old-fashioned trick:

In my opinion, the best way to change the body temperature fast is to cool (or heat) the blood.

Put ice on your wrists or just press them against a glass of something cold.

//Per