What are potential effects of diving in cold water without proper gear?

Diving in cold water without appropriate thermal protection can lead to hypothermia and impaired physiological functions due to the body losing heat more rapidly than it can generate it. When a diver is exposed to cold water, the core body temperature can drop, causing hypothermia, which can affect both physical and cognitive performance. This impairment can lead to difficulties in motor skills, reduced judgment, and an increased risk of accidents underwater.

Proper gear, such as wetsuits or drysuits, is essential in maintaining body temperature and ensuring that divers can perform effectively and safely. Without this gear, divers may not only be at risk of hypothermia but may also face long-term physical effects if the exposure is prolonged.

The other options, while they may touch on issues that divers can face, do not directly relate to the dangers presented by cold water immersion in the same urgent manner as hypothermia and its consequent effects on physiology.