Freshwater diving
Freshwater Diving
Freshwater diving is a type of Scuba diving with further risks. It usually completed in a Freshwater lake but often in a River, Cave or even a flooded Quarry. This type of Scuba diving is not seen as an advanced method, but has some dangerous complications due to the altitude, extreme temperature and visibility.[1] Despite being a potentially dangerous activity it can be rewarded with interesting marine life and even in some areas extremely high visibility, which can often be found in Caves.
Risks
- Temperature[2]
Water temperatures in lakes often vary[3] due to seasonal changes in lake stratification, hence affecting the temperature. The water can often reach below 4.5°C out of summer and in most winters will freeze over in temperate parts of the world. The diver is at a high risk of hypothermia or frostbite. A Dry suit or Semi-dry suitmust be worn to attempt to prevent this. [4].
- Altitude Considerations[5]
altitude diving is vital if the diver is over 300 meters, because if they do not follow the altitude diving decompression practice they are at a much greater risk of getting Decompression sickness
- ^ cold water and ice diving can be extremely challenging, but rewarding
- ^ freshwater divers are often challenged by the cold water and are at a high risk of developing hypothermia
- ^ lakes in the stratification zone have a general seasonal pattern
- ^ students skills in drysuit techniques
- ^ Ice diving is often conducted in mountain lakes at altitude