Diver’s Protection

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

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Once the diver’s adaptation to the aquatic environment has been resolved, we will also have to solve the adaptation factor related to ambient temperature.

It will not be correct to talk about water temperature without mentioning its great thermal conductivity compared to that of air. In reality, water conducts about 25 times more heat than air at the same temperature.

That is, the water absorbs very quickly the heat of the bodies immersed in it. In addition, large bodies of water have an immeasurable heat storage capacity. This means that a diver, undressed, cools down much faster if he is immersed in water at a temperature of 25ºC, than if exposed to air at the same temperature.

THERMAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

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The solution to protect ourselves from the cold is the use of thermal protective clothing, which isolates the skin from contact with the water mass, substantially reducing caloric loss. When we refer to the thermal protective clothing in the dive we are talking about the equipment:

• Suit
• Gloves
• Socks or Boots

Another no less important function of isothermal clothing is protection against abrasive and cutting action of rocks and contact with urticant or poisonous marine species.

IT MUST BE NOT FORGOTTEN THAT THIS TYPE OF CLOTHING DOES NOT PROTECT FROM ANY TYPE OF POLLUTION, AND DIVING IN POLLUTED WATERS SHOULD ONLY BE CARRIED OUT WITH SUITS DESIGNED FOR THIS PURPOSE