Diving and Nails?

[ZenDiva]

ok...I wear a forever french nail tip, but I've found after a weekend in the pool that this may not exactly be something that works well w/ diving...I mean they are strong, I've never had issues w/ them slinging iron in the gym....however...if water gets underneath there could be an issue w/ green mold or a fungus....caused by trapped water...

do any of you get your nails done? I hate my hands w/out them.........

 

[Diver Lori]

I had nails until I got back into diving. Being in the water for extended periods of time made them a little soft and prone to breakage. I gave up nails for diving.

 

[brokenbubbles]

With all the time I spend in the water, I have a hard enough time keeping natural nails in good shape. For me, nails with any length seem destined to break, (painfully short), during a diving weekend.
You may just want to schedule your nail appointments for after your dive trips.

 

[creamofwheat]

I don't bother. Even my really short natural nails seem to get mangled. Mind you, I've never really bothered with my nails anyway. So.

But yea, it may be a good idea to remove them for reasons you already mentioned (fungus and breakage and whatnot). Or perhaps remove them for a dive then get them done again after? I wouldn't really know though, as I have never had mine done, so I am not quite sure how it all works. Sorry I can't offer any better advice!

 

[DiveMaven]

I get my nails done...I have the pink and whites so I have a french tip with no paint. I have never had any problem with them diving and getting water trapped under them or fungus growing. I do tend to wear them shorter than I used to though since I don't want to risk a break while handling gear.

 

[chickdiver]

I've had acrylic tips for 4 or 5 years now. A good friend of mine is my nail tech- once the acrylic is laid, there is no way water can get under it- even if it cracks or breaks, you can drop a little alcohol on it to dry the water and then superglue it (works like a charm). BTW- my nails are commonly referred to (by my friends) as being "stripper length".

 

[jstuart1]

I used to get mine done but kept them at no more than 1/4 long. For summer diving 2 dives on a weekend day they were fine. Once things started to cool and I had to fight the wetsuit or did multiple dive days they started to break. Mine were natural with acrylic over them. I gave up on getting them done last fall. I generally keep my naturals at the same 1/4 but loose them during several days of diving. 3 weeks later they are back where they were.

 

[Babydamulag]

My wife has french tips with natural nails. She makes about 500 dives a year and keeps beautiful nails. Here is her secret --- my wife uses "LIQUID BAND-AID" on her nails. She wears these silky looking gloves under her dive gloves. Sounds crazy but she discovered it on accident....but it works. Just thought I would throw that in there for ya.

 

[ScubaDoobaDo]

They look so cute if you have dive flags painted on.. and take your nail glue, just in case.

 

[newdiver-toronto]

:11ztongue Actually, I prefer nine inch nails...