In cold water diving, the use of a good pair of thick diving gloves is almost a requirement, however when discussing the necessity of gloves for warm water diving, there almost seems to be a large divide in opinions with many divers opposing the need for scuba gloves. In fact there are certain areas or dive sites where the use of scuba gloves is actually prohibited. Cozumel and Bonaire prohibit the wearing of gloves while diving to prevent divers from touching coral and creatures on the reef. Certain dive operators and boat captains also prohibit their divers wearing gloves for the same reasons.
Featured above the Bare Velocity 2mm Tropic Five Finger Glove available at Leisurepro.com
Some divers also argue that not wearing gloves makes for better motivation to perfect your buoyancy, as divers refrain from reaching out and taking the support of rocks, or ledges, and that improves their buoyancy techniques.
While it is true that you are more likely to touch, and pick things up while wearing gloves, there are several compelling reasons to wear gloves even in warm waters. Even in tropical waters, a diver loses heat through his/her extremities, and can get cold hands if underwater for extended periods of time. However the argument in favor of gloves in warm water lies more towards protection rather than warmth. Even though one shouldn’t touch anything while diving, we all know it is inevitable that you may brush against some coral or grab onto a rocky outcrop in current. And with so many razor sharp and poisonous coral and creatures on the reef, like fire coral, sea urchins, and stone fish, it could mean the difference between not getting cut or stung by wearing a pair of protective gloves.
Featured above Blue Reef 5mm kevlar Glove available at Leisurepro.com
Other situations where gloves could be useful are for Wreck diving, where a pair of protective gloves could prevent a diver from getting cut by rusty wreckage. Divers that are prone to allergic reactions to contact with certain kinds of coral and other nasties should also always gloves. Holding onto a descent line in strong current that may have sharp barnacles and other things growing on it, even boat ladders and the sides of boats are often covered in sharp rough barnacles.
While choosing a pair of gloves for warm water diving, you need a pair that will keep your hands warm but more importantly protect your hands while offering sufficient dexterity to perform simple tasks like push the tiny buttons on your underwater camera. Gloves with rubberized palm and finger coatings give a good grip, and protective materials ranging from Kevlar to steel and titanium mesh are available, so make sure you select one that meets your requirements.
Featured above the Camaro Seamless 3mm Glove available at Leisurepro.com
Wearing scuba gloves in warm water conditions is not a ‘newbie’ thing to do, as long as you don’t go around deliberately touching coral and picking up marine creatures, or flailing your arms around, which are. A good pair can offer your hands decent protection while diving and form an essential part of your scuba diving equipment.
