If you’re new to scuba diving, you may not know that there is a back and forth between whether or not it’s appropriate to wear gloves while diving, especially in tropical waters like the Caribbean ocean. Why? Some divers believe that diving gloves are necessary for warmth and safety, while others believe that they can be damaging to coral reefs. The truth is, there are pros and cons to both wearing and not wearing scuba diving gloves. Here’s what you need to know to make your own personal decision.
Wearing Scuba Diving Gloves
Many divers believe that wearing scuba diving gloves is completely necessary for their safety and comfort while diving in the sea. They feel as though scuba diving gloves are just as essential as your flippers and goggles. Here are the pros and cons of wearing gloves while diving.
Pros
- They protect your hands from potentially dangerous items like sharp rocks or trash
- They protect your hands from things that are unpleasant to touch like algae, garbage, and hunted lionfish
- They help to keep your hands warm and your body temperature regulated in cool areas
- They can help you to grip if you’ve slipped
- They’re easy to put on and take off underwater
Cons
- They may encourage you to touch surfaces and things that you really shouldn’t
- The grip can be harmful to coral if touched
- They’re easy to lose, causing them to add to the garbage in the ocean
- You may not need them to keep your hands warm in tropical waters
- Can make tasks like taking photos and adjusting equipment more difficult
Not Wearing Scuba Diving Gloves
While some divers are very pro scuba gloves, others swear that they’re completely unnecessary, actually doing more harm than good. Divers who never use scuba diving gloves–especially in tropical water–have many reasons as to why they do so. Here are the pros and cons of not wearing scuba diving gloves.
Pros
- Gives divers free use of their hands
- Discourages divers from touching and potentially harming the environment around them
- Does not pose the risk of losing a glove in the ocean and contributing to litter
Cons
- Risks of the diver touching something harmful or unpleasant with their bare hands
- Hands could become cold in cool waters
- Lack of grip if the diver slips and needs to regain control of their surroundings
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