How can divers prevent hypothermia?

Wearing appropriate thermal protection is essential for divers to prevent hypothermia. Water conducts heat away from the body significantly faster than air, and even in relatively warm water, prolonged exposure can lower body temperature. Thermal protection, such as wetsuits or drysuits, provides insulation to maintain core body temperature by trapping a layer of water close to the body or providing a complete seal against cold water.

While increasing descent speed, diving deeper, or using lighter equipment may seem like options for enhancing dive performance, these actions do not address the body's heat loss directly and could potentially contribute to other risks such as decompression sickness or injury. Proper thermal protection is the most effective method to keep the body warm and functional during underwater activities.