Dealing with Cold
Temperatures from 20°C down to 7°C could be described as average range in which divers would dive, using with wetsuits at higher temperatures and dry-suits towards the bottom of the range.
Below 7°C down to 4°C is when most people find the water very cold. Even with dry-suit protection, many divers may emerge chilled.
Hypothermia
This is a condition in which the deep tissue or core temperature of the body falls below 35° C, which is the temperature at which physiological malfunctions begin to occur. If the core temperature drops below 36° C, diving operations should be terminated because the consequences of continuing are serious. If the core temperature falls to 34° C, temporary amnesia may occur and emergency re-warming and medical treatment are required. Between 30° and 32° C, cardiac irregularities will begin in most people and unconsciousness may result.
The body loses heat much faster in water than in air of the same temperature - this is something all divers need to be aware of.
With cold skin and with core temperatures below 36° C, the defence mechanisms of the body are activated. These mechanisms consist of shivering and vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow to the periphery and thus reduces heat loss.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
On one hand, it is easy to recognise that hands and feet are cold by the familiar sensations of discomfort, numbness, pain, and diminished usefulness. On the other hand, loss of core body heat is extremely difficult to recognize. Individuals are poor judges of their own thermal state. Do not ignore cold hands and feet - by the time you get the next symptom you could be in serious danger! Shivers, lack of concentration or in increase in your breath rate are all signs of core temperature decline. Terminate a dive if any of the above symptoms are present
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