short-john ( a one-piece vest and shorts combo ) on top . This layering-up serves to increase the thickness of neoprene at the core , while allowing the same manoeuvrability for limbs . Or go for a wetsuit with an open cell inner . This lack of lining makes the suit less robust but it adheres to your body shape better and increases the warmth . I find a 5mm open cell gives the same thermal protection as a 7mm fully lined suit . Moving to a thicker hood can also make a massive difference , and don ’ t forget your hands and feet . Slipping a pair of wetsuit socks under your bootees and swapping gloves for mitts will help . I ’ ve even been known to snorkel in a drysuit , though you do have less control .
Heated undersuits can be helpful , but they are fiddly , so you need to master them before the winter really sets in , and make sure you buy a model that works in the wet if you are wetsuit snorkelling .
Dress to impress
Dressing isn ’ t just about rubber . There ’ s no point starting your snorkel cold , as you ’ re unlikely to warm up once you ’ re in . So , wrap up against the chilly conditions when venturing out to recce the site . Investing in a changing robe , ideally one that ’ s warm and windproof , will be money well spent , and not just for pre-dive dressing .
Obviously , exposing the entirety of your cold , wet skin to an Arctic wind post-snorkel can strip any remnants of heat from your body . Being able to change back into your dry , warm and fluffy civvies under the protection of a robe makes a huge difference .
Dress up warm when risk-assessing a site
Entry and exit points
While some sites can be at their best in winter , others can be dangerous . A number of factors will feed into your site selection , so you need to weigh up diveability with a proper risk assessment .
I ’ ve dived some mountain lochs and lakes that improve in winter . The permanent snowfall , which tends to lie and freeze rather than drain , can create settled aquatic conditions and allow the water to clear . Some wrecks are more impressive when the kelp has died away , assuming you can get a day when sea conditions are safe .
Safety is an increased concern with winter snorkelling , not just the obvious high winds and rainfall . Exiting when cold can also be more challenging . Ideally , we ’ d get back safely to dry land before we get too frosty . What may be a fun but challenging exit in summer may become too difficult with numb limbs and digits .
Night closes in
Carrying a torch , a lit SMB ( fixed light inside ) and ensuring you can navigate back to shore are usually night-snorkel considerations . But remember that these conditions will fade later and arrive earlier in the depths of winter . And in our more northern locations , where I learned to dive , it never really gets that light in winter anyway .
Power play
Finally , on the subject of lights , think carefully about batteries . Power drains more quickly in cold conditions so the ubiquitous cameras as well as torches and even dive computers may run down faster when it ’ s freezing .
That being said , braving the bitter bite of winter can prove rewarding . Some sites are better , all are less crowded and you have the smug satisfaction that comes with conquering conditions others have shied away from .
For more information on snorkelling with BSAC go to bsac . com / snorkelling Looking to introduce snokelling into your club ? Find out more at bsac . com / snorkellinginstructor
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