Packing All the Things

Now that I have been diving for over 15 years, I can pack my dive bag in about 30 minutes. This makes me so happy since I run full speed ahead almost every day. However, with the Texas weather recently being on CRACK, I am so blessed to literally pack for a million different problems.

This past weekend I was planning to teach a class in San Marcus, Texas at the Meadow Center, better known as Spring Lake. However, my student came down sick so no class for me, while my husband’s instructor speciality candidates were good to go. Therefore, he had a class and I was along for the weekend. This actually worked out well, so I could stay back on Saturday for our youngest daughter’s District Swim Meet and then travel to spend some time with he and his students.

What didn’t work out was the weather. Saturday was a perfect Texas January day for diving: Sunny and and 60 degrees. But, on Sunday, the old Artic front blew through Texas and temperatures started to drop. Although I did not have a a class, Clint needed to do his volunteer dives for Spring Lake. Thus, I am his dive partner.

Driving out of the hotel, I faced the cold North wind with courage because I was sure that I had prepared for this. And I had packed everything needed! My first purchase for winter diving is an O’Neil 7 mil wetsuit. My daughter is shorter than I am, and she loves her Waterproof. Both are flexible and easy to jump right into. Clint is a little more of a winter weather enthusiast, so he has taken the leap to a Dry Suit. No matter which suit you have, don’t leave home without enough wet suit. You can always let water in, but its hard to warm up a cold body.

Another must carry item for cooler waters is the reusable hot packs. https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Go-Reusable-Heat-Packs/dp/B016OA5YK0. These little guys really help out at the end of an hour or longer dive to heat up things and keep the diver aka me or Alli, warm and cozy. In addition, this year we added a SurfPro Long Swimmer’s Coat. This item is for sure a 10 year purchase. It is a wool blend and when I exited the water with temperatures below 40 degrees and 15 mph wind, this coat saved my life. I will never leave home to dive in December, January, or February without it.

The last two non-negociables are my gloves and my hat. I have worn a beanie for a few years. Just a light layer of neoprene but a deal changer when it comes to staying warm. Last year, I ordered Alli the cute little dive beanie pictures above from Etsy. It is stylish, comes with an under the chin strap to ensure it stays on your head, and is a good solid 2 ml thick had. I love it. Although I carry some scuba max gloves in my BCD pocket for all times, when it is cold, I wear a pair of no name gloves we found in the ocean. These guys are comfortable, easy to wear, and make all the difference. As always, any brand 1-3 mil gloves add extra warmth and protection. I have thicker 3 mil gloves, but honestly, if I need those, I don’t plan to dive.

From October to about June 1, I pack all the things. It ensures that whatever the Texas weather throws at me, I am ready. This saves my dives from my whiney attitude toward an almost pefect weather state.

For winter diving in Texas spring lakes, or even Fall diving before the lake temps drop, let me make you a quick list of what to pack.

Here we go:

1. A suitable wet suit
2. A vest or thermal shirt to go under the wet suit if the water is colder than expected.
3. A head covering
4. A thermal shirt or vest to add to the core body protection
5. Reusable Warmers
6. Booties for your Fins
7. Gloves
8. Hat/Hood
9. Dry Coat or Swim Coat for when you unzip the wet suit

I hope this list helps you consider “all the things” when you get ready to pack for both the perfect days and not not perfect days, so that you don’t ruin your dives.