Brain-freeze Headache in Cold Water

[The Chairman]

Reading this thread further, I have to admit that I'm glad I live in Florida. No need for a hood or exposure protection for the most part.

 

[Brian Huff]

Allright, thanks all, hood shopping this week!

 

[Brian Huff]

Reading this thread further, I have to admit that I'm glad I live in Florida. No need for a hood or exposure protection for the most part

No doubt

 

[Neilwood]

A bit late but definitely get yourself a hood - as a couple have said Waterproof is a pretty nice one and not too tight on most people.

When trying them on you want snug but not tight. Bear in mind that you will have a reg in your mouth so make sure there is space for that. Also make sure it has a system for venting gas at your crown (normally a hole or small mesh vent)- either that or you will get a conehead as any gas that makes if into the hood has no where to go.

 

[Brian Huff]

When trying them on you want snug but not tight. Bear in mind that you will have a reg in your mouth so make sure there is space for that. Also make sure it has a system for venting gas at your crown (normally a hole or small mesh vent)- either that or you will get a conehead as any gas that makes if into the hood has no where to go.

Good advice, thanks, will make sure to look for that.

 

[Ayisha]

The ice-cream headache Ayisha describes above is more like a nail driven into your forehead ;-)

Haha, yup, agreed. A huge frozen nail.

I had a lip protector on my second stage (that came with it) but I removed it because I find it in the way during S-Drills. It takes an extra second to adjust the reg firmly in my mouth, which I guess isn't a big deal, just a little in the way.

I get around the numb lips by blowing the SMB from the corner of my mouth. Works like a charm.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Bear in mind that the hood is only half the problem. But you need a hood which covers the skirt of the mask, not just meets it, but also covers it. If your present hood does not, you can use neoprene cement to add small pieces of neoprene from an old, non-usable wet suit.

The other half of this equation is the mask itself. I see from the avitars that most divers now wear what we used to call "low volume masks" with a nose sticking out. These masks themselves don't provide a lot of protection for the forehead sinuous area. Low volume masks were originally developed for free diving, as you didn't have to use much air to equalize the mask as the free diver descended, which can affect breath-hold diving. But in cold water, there isn't much of an air pocket to protect the forehead from cold water. I like some of the older masks, which provide a much greater volume of warm air around my forehead.

SeaRat

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Waterproof brand hoods are all I’ll use.

Have you ever tried a K-01 hood? Way better than the Waterproof H1 10 mm polar hood.

As I've said many times, I'm a wimp when it comes to water temperature. I'll always upgrade my hood as soon as I find something warmer.

 

[Addicted2H2O]

Two suggestions:

1. Sea Soft 6mm Dry Suit Hood - made for full face mask use and has rubber-type seals that contact the skin and then the seal of the mask. Consider it a semi-dry hood
2. Full face mask. If you want warmth in cold water diving....they definitely help. Certainly not an inexpensive option, but well worth it in my opinion.

 

[runsongas]

Have you ever tried a K-01 hood? Way better than the Waterproof H1 10 mm polar hood.

As I've said many times, I'm a wimp when it comes to water temperature. I'll always upgrade my hood as soon as I find something warmer.

you should try an otter bay 12mm hood