![cold water free cold water free](https://images.pexels.com/photos/2065466/pexels-photo-2065466.jpeg)
I hear the wings of a seagull fly over me. I’m feeling the cold, I’m paying attention. There’s an intensity to this “before” moment, as if I am hardening myself to the task ahead. Yet there’s a part of me that likes to stand here for a few seconds, with half of my body exposed to the winter air, half of it submerged.
![cold water free cold water free](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/cold-bottled-water-24633316.jpg)
I know that the sooner I can get my shoulders under the water, the easier the whole endeavor will be. I walk further, submerging my thighs, and then the really hard part: my belly button. I step in, up to my ankles, and then my calves. Knowing I can push past my resistance gives me a boost of confidence. I lean into the physicality of the exercise instead. This hesitation could be all consuming if I let it.Įvery part of my brain is telling me not to get into this water. For a brief moment I consider going back inside where the coffee is. This moment is the hardest: standing and waiting, looking out over the saltwater, wondering how I will ever get in. I don’t need a number to tell me that it’s cold. I didn’t bother bringing a thermometer for the water. I shiver in the morning air, just slightly above freezing. I pull off my bulky wool sweater and toss it on the barnacle-covered rocks, leaving me standing in only my red swimsuit and hand-knit wool hat. I could be sitting inside drinking coffee, but instead I am getting ready for a swim.Īt the edge of the bay, my wool tights come off, neoprene booties on. The kind where the water and sky blend together into one, imbued with a raw, wet cold that seeps into your bones. They are not environmentally sealed and are more than happy in very cold water.It’s another gray Pacific Northwest winter morning. I still use Poseidon Cyclon's on my bailout cylinders. if the first stage fails, the second stage acts as the emergency pressure relieve. If done quick enough it would stop the first stage failing. Fitting a shut off device would allow you to stop a second stage failure. If the second stage fails, the increased gas flow normally results in quick icing of the first stage and failure of the first stage. Two people breathing off the same first stage is bad news, especially in high stress periods such as a rescue when breathing rates are increased. So heavy purging of a regulator is a bad idea (DSMB), holding the inflate button down, high breathing rate. High volume's of gas passing through the first stage increase icing risks. It is the drop in gas pressure that causes the icing. Travel regulators are often not designed for water below 5C. Most regulators will cope with cold water (a proper cold water regulator is better, with an environmental kit). Properly serviced, no leaks, or slow dribbling of gas from the second stages. Makes sure your regulators are in good operational condition. Don't use a second stage for DSMB inflation - if you do short burst of the purge valve, (not long bursts).Ĩ. Add gas for buoyancy control in small amounts.ħ. Breath normally and steadily when in the water.Ħ.
![cold water free cold water free](https://previews.123rf.com/images/galitskaya/galitskaya1905/galitskaya190500605/122691513-dad-and-son-was-frozen-in-the-pool-very-cold-water-in-the-pool-need-heated-water.jpg)
Once you start breathing from a regulator, don't remove it from your mouth. When testing kit before entering the water, don't exhale through the regulator. Ideally, don't leave cylinders in the cold overnight either.Ģ. Don't leave the regulators in the car overnight. If you are using your equipment in cold water.ġ. I am sure there are a few here (from Scandinavia) who can give better advice but as a first shot. See below from one of my posts in a previous thread.