Maintaining Dive Skills in the Winter

“When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life.1” And, I will add, a great opportunity to work on dive skills, test new gear, and gain a deeper understanding of complex dive theory. 

This might not sound like a traditional dive safety topic, but I firmly believe that a skilled, educated diver is a safer diver—and a better dive buddy. If ice diving or a trip to a tropical destination isn’t in your plans this winter, there are several actions you can take to prevent “winter-slip” and perhaps even improve your skills and knowledge related to diving.

  1. Conferences and Lectures

The 43rd Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival (Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival – Presented by The Ford Seahorses and Sea Lancers) is scheduled for February 22nd.  This is an excellent opportunity to learn from experienced explorers, expand your diving knowledge, and network with divers from the area.

  1. Pool Sessions

Dennis scheduled a pool session in January and I hope you were able to take advantage of a controlled environment with great visibility.  If not, it’s not too late! Many dive shops host classes throughout the winter and typically welcome certified divers eager to refine their skills or test and buy new gear.

Use a pool session to practice various skills, such as:

  • Buoyancy – with and without task loading
  • Trim – Assess your position in the water column. Are you horizontal or do you resemble a seahorse?  Is your gear streamlined, or is it dangling?
  • Basics – Mask clear, regulatory switch, value drills, buddy breathing, finning, and other fundamentals. (perform within the water column and not on your knees).
  • Extra credit – gain proficiency using a dSMB, reel, shears or line cutter, wet notes, managing camera equipment, donning/doffing pony or stage bottles, etc.
  • Video yourself – Record your drills with a fixed underwater camera. Watching yourself can provide invaluable insights to improve your technique.
  1. Self-Study – Videos and books

Watching videos and reading about diving are no substitutes for formal training or diligent practice. That said, many skilled YouTubers post entertaining and informative content, although some videos—let’s face it—are questionable at best. Use your best judgment, and approach controversial advice with caution. Below are some trusted resources:

Here are some recommended readings.  Add yours favorites in the comment box for others to check out.

  • Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
  • Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver by Jill Heinerth
  • Under Pressure by Garth Lock
  • Deco for Divers by Mark Powell
  • November’s Fury: The Deadly Great Lakes Hurricane of 1913 by Michael Schumacher
  • The Living Great lakes by Jerry Dennis (no diving, but an interesting read)

In conclusion, if diving isn’t on your winter agenda, invest your time in reviewing skills, testing gear, and setting new goals for the coming dive season. With so many opportunities for growth, “I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.2

Use the comment box to list your favorite videos and books.

Snoopers – Dive Often, Dive Safe

  1. <https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/quotes/> ↩︎
  2. ibid. ↩︎

One Response so far.

  1. Lee A Miller says:

    Recommended on-line source from Jeff – https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog

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