What it’s like to Work Underwater
I sometimes get asked “what is it like down there?” It’s a good question but the answer changes by the season, the day, and the hour. If I had to give a single answer, however, I would describe it as “mostly greenish-brown.”
On some days the visibility in the Chesapeake can be 10 feet or more but on average you can see 4 feet or less. Some days, especially after a rain, visibility can drop to as low as 6 inches or less. In the open areas of the bay the water can be quite clear, especially during an incoming tide, while in the same moment the headwaters of a nearby river may look like chocolate milk.
As you might imagine it is much easier to find a dropped item when the visibility is good so we prefer to dive in those conditions whenever possible. However, it is still possible to search for things with near zero visibility, it’s just a more involved process that involves using a compass and a grid.
Toward middle and late summer the water can be totally saturated with stinging jellyfish called sea nettles. They make it hard to see underwater and they sting any bit of exposed skin including your lips. It is not pleasant! Anyone who has swam in East Coast tidal waters during those times knows what I’m talking about. Some people claim that urine neutralizes the sting, however, I’m a firm believer that white vinegar is the best choice. But, hey, you do you.
It also feels different underwater. The deeper you go the more pressure you feel. It makes some people claustrophobic but divers like myself enjoy the feeling. Nobody, however, enjoys the amazing pressure water puts on the ears. Once you reach about 8 feet deep there is a noticeable squeeze on your eardrums. At 9 feet it becomes nearly unbearable. A few feet deeper and you can get seriously injured. Divers are thankfully able to equalize the pressure in their sinuses by squeezing their noses and blowing.
The water temperature can also be dramatically different at certain depths called thermoclines. On a sunny summer day the water can be 85 degrees in the top 6 feet of the water column but below that point can immediately drop 10 degrees or more.
You can see the latest thermocline measurements and lots more using Maryland DNR’s fantastic Eyes on the Bay monitoring site.
There is a great variety of factors that determine what it’s like to work underwater. But, with all things considered, I can guarantee you it’s going to be greenish-brown.
