I have to admit that I am not a big fan of cold water diving. The first time I tried it, back in 1983 within the Straits of Juan De Fuca, I honestly believed that I was going to die. As the cold water crept within my wet suit the effect was unlike any I had experienced, even though a wet suit is the common way to protect and insulate oneself. Thank goodness a dry suit was available. With both suits, the effect of having extremely cold water on my face was also tough to get used to.

But I stuck with it and enjoyed a unique trip beneath the seas in the Pacific Northwest. Since this columns looks to provide information on a wide range of topics involving recreational boating I wanted to offer a few recommendations for future research and discussion.

Recreational boaters who combine their passion off-season with recreational diving, especially as the water temperature drops, face some unique challenges.

Lets look at four obvious considerations:

a. If you are cold, especially if using a wet suit, you may use your air much faster than normal.

Shivering does increase a divers need for air according to the experts. Budget this difference (from regular warm water diving) into your planned stay underwater.

b. Chose your suit wisely. There are marked differences between wet and dry suits. Talk with professional divers, shop owners and fellow recreational divers.

Know your comfort zone. Making sure that you have the right exposure suit is a key to an enjoyable dive. Remember you can experience hypothermia and never know it until in extremis. Always side with the best possible protection.

c. Have an emergency plan ready before you ever leave the dock. This recommendation frankly applies to all divers but especially during the off-season.

Ensure you have emergency equipment, know where the closest decompression chamber is and what emergency response is possible.

Review this plan with the individuals who are going on the boat with you. If you become incapacitated others recreational divers onboard your vessel need to know everything from how your vessel operates to where the nearest marina or pier is for assistance.

Your guests also need to have a basic understanding of your radio. Who will they call? Do you have a checklist for them to follow?

d. Finally, once your off-season dive is over, get out of your exposure suit as quickly as you can. Have a large towel standing by and fresh warm clothes. If a &uot;warming area&uot; is available, based on the type of vessel you own or are on – use it to your advantage.

The faster you are out of the exposure suit and into some warm clothes the easier it is to savory the very different experience cold weather diving provides

With a little planning your cold weather dive can be both pleasurable and educational. Until next week – Boat Safe, Boat Smart and next Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving!

LCDR Joe DiRenzo is a resident of Suffolk and a regular columnist for the Suffolk News-Herald.