Reg storage before cold water dive

[WaterWolf]

Should I store my regulator somewhere cold or warm before diving cold/ice water? Does it make much difference? I assume that when you breathe warm air from your lungs into a cold second stage, it's going to condensate and contribute to freezing. However, the cold compressed air coming from the tank into a warm first stage could also condensate. Which is worse? At which stage do most freeze-ups occur? Does any of this really matter since both stages will quickly become the same cold temperature after they hit the cold air/water?

 

[Midnight Star]

I'm not sure about cold water regulators, but some have a heat exchanger to help keep the air at water temp (below freezing), and also have a sealed "mechinism" to prevent moisture from the air, or water from freezing them up.

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Mike.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

It does not really matter where you store it, just follow good cold water technique and take care not to use it/test it/etc before it is under water when you start the dive. Ay use out of the water will severely chill the reg and can lead to a freeze up during the dive.

If you search, you will find a recent post on cold water technique in this forum.