Perhaps you live in a warm, sunny place, and you're planning to travel to a colder climate to experience a different type of diving. Maybe it's usually chilly where you live, and you enjoy heading off to warmer locales for relaxing vacations. Either way, it can be helpful to ease the transition from one climate to the next, since a sudden transition from one set of temperature extremes to another can weaken your immune system as your body attempts to restore its sense of balance. Here are some tips for avoiding sudden transitions, and for staying healthy as you enjoy traveling from one place to the next.
Transitioning to a Hot Climate
Transitioning from a cold climate to a hot climate is not terribly difficult, particularly as most people living in cold climates take advantage of such things as hot showers, hot fireplaces, heated vehicles, and warm beds. Still, there are some problems that can pop up when making the transition:
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Sunburn - Skin that hasn't seen the sun for a long time tends to burn quite easily. Be sure to carry lots of reef-safe sunscreen, and reapply it frequently. Protect your eyes with sunglasses, and wear a hat, too.
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Dehydration - Stay hydrated. You will need to drink more than usual when visiting hot climates, and you'll notice that you may sweat more than some other travelers do. Your body is just working to adjust itself, and ensuring you're adequately hydrated will help ease the way.
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Heat Exhaustion - If you're not used to exerting yourself in a hot climate, you'll find you get tired faster, and that you crash a lot harder than you probably do at home. Be kind to your body and don't push yourself too hard. Seek shade in the afternoon, as the hottest hours of the day tend to occur between noon and about 4 p.m.
Transitioning to a Cold Climate
Making the transition to a very cold climate from a hot one can be a real challenge. To help ease the transition, you can prepare in advance by spending a little time each day in a cold environment. Crank up the air conditioning, and enjoy the feeling of cooling off. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend in the cold each day, if possible. Nothing can really prepare you for immersion in freezing cold water, other than ensuring you're properly dressed underneath your drysuit. Here are some tips for making the most of cold weather travel:
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Be certain you're properly equipped. Ensure you've got quality boots, long underwear, and lots of light layers you can use to adjust your temperature. If you've been given a packing list, follow it.
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Don't forget your hat. Your body loses heat quickly when your head is uncovered, so wear a warm hat. Cover your ears and your forehead, and keep the back of your neck covered, too. Get a jacket with a hood, and wear the hood over the hat to keep body heat where it belongs.
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Remember your gloves, and wear warm socks. Nothing is quite so uncomfortable as cold hands and feet. Get gloves and mittens that are properly rated for the temperatures you'll be encountering, and don't be ashamed to wear your socks to bed. Your toes will thank you.
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Eat and drink. When you're cold, your body expends extra energy to keep you warm. It's normal to eat a bit more when visiting a cold climate. Stay hydrated, but drink the right things. A little alcohol is OK, but too much can cause harm. Drink warm beverages, particularly those containing no caffeine or alcohol, and you'll make things easier on your body.
Finally, know the signs of weather related injuries - in hot climates, you'll need to be aware of the signs of heat stroke, and in cold climates, you'll need to be able to recognize the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. By increasing exposure gradually, and by taking appropriate precautions, you'll enjoy your foray into a new climate a whole lot more.