When are we hitting 50?

[Reallydg]

Even though the snow is blowing today, in one month White Star opens up and Haigh starts opening up for the weekends. The question is, how long after that will water start getting near 50 degrees? I'm diving wet and I don't know how much below 50 I can stand. (I'm a whimp.)

 

[gtxl1200]

I plan on hitting 50 next week. Oh wait you mean here. I will be heading to florida next week.
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[Notso_Ken]

Even though the snow is blowing today, in one month White Star opens up and Haigh starts opening up for the weekends. The question is, how long after that will water start getting near 50 degrees? I'm diving wet and I don't know how much below 50 I can stand. (I'm a whimp.)

It depends on exactly where you mean.

At Natural Springs and Circleville, maybe May.

White Star and Portage, June.

Gilboa shallow maybe June also.

Gilboa down at the tubes -August, if at all.

A good 7mm 2 pc suit should keep you comfortable below 50 - if it fits properly, and if you can stay warm during the surface interval.
Ken

 

[Barracuda2]

Even though the snow is blowing today, in one month White Star opens up and Haigh starts opening up for the weekends. The question is, how long after that will water start getting near 50 degrees? I'm diving wet and I don't know how much below 50 I can stand. (I'm a whimp.)

Com'on, Reallydg, Manup! "Back in the old days", we did ice diving in wet suites; dry suites were only worn by professional divers "back then"; they weren't even a gleam in our eyes at that time. (No, I didn't walk 7 miles in knee-deep snow to school every day)

Seriously, wear a 7mm farmer john two piece with a 3-5mm hooded vest under it, and you will be able to hang with the dry suite divers for at least for 30-35 min. and be comfortable. This will give you 19 mm over your core and eliminate water transfer on the upper body. Sometimes, if I don't feel like climbing into my dry, I put on this combo and do just fine even in early spring. My $.02

 

[JEScholz]

Before I went to the dry side, I would put a pair of long underware under my wetsuit and fill the suit with warm water before the dive. Worked pretty well even under the ice.

 

[Reallydg]

Thanks for the posts. I'm figuring on going in no matter what because I'm pretty sick of this blasted winter! (Shouldn't complain because I got to get to Florida twice this winter but still!) But I know I'll be happier when the water's warmer!

 

[Reallydg]

Related question: Betail talks about wearing long underwear underneath his wetsuit. Makes sense to me but then I read another post about this working against you because it decreased the insulating property of the water in the wetsuit. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Dean810]

Related question: Betail talks about wearing long underwear underneath his wetsuit. Makes sense to me but then I read another post about this working against you because it decreased the insulating property of the water in the wetsuit. Any thoughts on that?

What insulating property of water? Water doesn't insulate. It sucks the heat out from you. Any "warmth" the water has came from your body. I don't know if wearing long johns under a wetsuit helps or not. A good wetsuit slows down your exposure to water.

 

[kidsdream]

All elements (including water) have a specific capability to convert heat (this is concept of a calorie) - 1gm/degree.

The issue is really the movement of water against your skin. By trapping a thin layer of water next to your skin, you body temp elevates this, thus keeping you warmer - relatively. That is why a well fitting wetsuit with good seals will keep you much warmer than the same exact suit that is just slightly looser. I would be highly suspect that a set of long johns would actually be effective especially at depth. The issue at the topside would immediately negate this as well.

What insulating property of water? Water doesn't insulate. It sucks the heat out from you. Any "warmth" the water has came from your body. I don't know if wearing long johns under a wetsuit helps or not. A good wetsuit slows down your exposure to water.

 

[JEScholz]

The long johns help to make the wet suit fit tighter, thus preventing as much water exchange. If you have a tight fitting suit, it may not make as much difference, but a wet set of long johns does help prevent the initial rush of cold water into the suit.

Like I stated in the post, this is how I dove prior to my dry suit. Before I started with the long johns I did just the wet suit. It worked for me but that is only my experience.