Brain-freeze Headache in Cold Water

[Brian Huff]

I usually get the mask/hood fitted perfectly before entering the water.

I'm sure I will too as I progress. Being the first time I had used a hood, my understanding of a perfect fit was limited.

 

[tomfcrist]

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.

except to keep the limestone out of your ears...

 

[Neilwood]

The full hood and gloves really made a difference.

Was a little difficult to get the mask/hood/face sealed and comfortable, flooded my mask a few times getting it right.

Was able to descend to 50' in about 60 degree water without the dreaded brain freeze, so that's a win.

The full hood constrained my head movements some. Found it more difficult to look left/right/down, so that was a downside.

Conclusion is, I might just be a warm water diver in the future

Thanks for the suggestions all, issue solved.

You might find that your hood needs trimming. I have had to do that a couple of times to prevent the mask &hood interfering with each other.

The downside of hoods is a loss of a bit of the freedom of movement but that is more than made up for by the retention of heat. There is a trade off between thickness/heat retention and movement - the thicker the hood, the more heat it retains but the harder it is to move. What level of trade off you are willing to accept is up to you.

 

[Brian Huff]

You might find that your hood needs trimming. I have had to do that a couple of times to prevent the mask &hood interfering with each other.

A few folks have mentioned trimming it. I'll do some research and more testing to see if that's going to be needed.

Thanks

 

[Ayisha]

...Mine was coming down too low which is why I was flooding, had to adjust and pull back, etc to get it right...

After you adjusted and pulled the hood back, did it creep back down and break the seal of your mask again?

For me, I find the hood will push back down again, hence the slight trimming solving that problem.

But of course, experiment before cutting.

 

[Brian Huff]

After you adjusted and pulled the hood back, did it creep back down and break the seal of your mask again?

Ayisha, it didn't actually. Once I figured out how to adjust everything, the dive went just fine, no additional flooding. Just the restriction of moving my head left/right/down.

 

[Ksm8119]

Waterproof brand hoods are all I’ll use.

Marie13, I've been looking at waterproof dive hoods, heard nothing but good things so far, just wondering on the fit I'm sorta in between size in your option if I go with the larger size do you think it will still be snug enough around the face?

 

[BlueTrin]

Marie13, I've been looking at waterproof dive hoods, heard nothing but good things so far, just wondering on the fit I'm sorta in between size in your option if I go with the larger size do you think it will still be snug enough around the face?

If that helps there is a size guide on these page.

also there is a warning that while the brand is Waterproof, the hood is not waterproof



H1 Bibless Hood - 5-7mm

Waterproof H1 5/7mm Bibless Vented Diving Hood

Here in England, their gloves are really popular.

 

[Dominik_E]

I have a K01 hood, which is extremely warm.