How much more rapidly does a diver's body lose heat through conduction compared to air?

When considering how rapidly a diver's body loses heat through conduction compared to air, it's important to understand the properties of different mediums. Water conducts heat away from the body about 25 times faster than air does. This significant difference is due to the higher density and thermal conductivity of water compared to air. Water's particles are closer together, allowing heat to transfer more efficiently from the body into the surrounding environment.

In practical terms, this means that divers can lose body heat much more quickly when submerged in water than they would if they were exposed to the same temperature in air. This knowledge is crucial for divers to understand as it emphasizes the importance of wearing appropriate thermal protection, such as wetsuits or drysuits, to minimize heat loss and prevent hypothermia during diving activities.