Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By CHAD CARNEY
Published December 10, 2005

After a half-hour in water temperatures reaching the low 60s, even properly dressed divers will begin to feel the effects of hypothermia. Shivering burns up to six times the normal amount of energy. Breathing quickens and carbon dioxide levels increase, often creating headaches. A diuretic effect depletes body hydration. Fatigue is a grave concern for winter diving. The necessary 6- to 7-millimeter wet suits, vests and hoods add effort to every movement before, during and after the dive. Three to four times the amount of weight must be worn, compared to summer diving, and the greater suit compression occurring at depth requires more air volume added to the buoyancy compensator to achieve neutral buoyancy. The winter diver cuts a wider swath through the water and is propelled by fins stiffened by the low temperatures.

How do you deal with all of this? Stay fit by swimming in pools and shorten your dives. Breathe deep, emphasizing exhalations and don't try to save air. Keep moving but pace yourself, always conserving energy. Check the weight of your gear and lighten the load to the bare minimum needed to make a safety stop at 15 feet. Dive shallow and avoid long swims.

Why would you want to dive in winter? The water clears up close to shore, saving long, grueling boat rides. Popular wrecks and reefs are often deserted for months, and spearfishing really turns on.

Chad Carney teaches diving and spearfishing in the Tampa Bay area. Call 727 423-7775 or e-mail chadcarney@verizon.net

[Last modified December 10, 2005, 00:52:07]