Gloves for warm water diving; super thin?

[Colliam7]

As I'm a new diver, thick gloves which mess with my dexterity bug me. I considered going no gloves. But as a new diver doing a week in Cozumel, it was suggested I get a full length skin and wear gloves just in case I bump/graze/etc against something.

akona reef gloves allll the way, made of neoprene (backs) and leather (palms and fingers) I have great dexterity with them and they have protected me through many a day of spearfishing. after two years they still only have ... little holes haha. I've also tried mechanics gloves but they were still kinda bulky. The leather in the akonas still gives you sensitivity because its so thin

Several years ago, I moved to Warmer's Waterfall Paddling Gloves, which are very similar, in price and material, to the Akona, although I slightly prefer the Warmers. A thin neoprene back, thin leather palms and fingers, velcro wrist tabs, very sensitive, and actually reasonably warm. And, they are MUCH more durable than most of the more expensive diving gloves. Don't hold your LDS entirely responsible for the fact that most diving gloves are massively overpriced, in general.

Several posts very appropriately point out some of the 'dos' and 'don'ts' of diving with gloves. Some resorts prohibit them, so it may not be an issue. Definitely check in advance with the operator you will be using in Cozumel. But, if you dive with any regularity, in anything other than 85 degree water, you may want them. Other options, in addition to the thin latex dish gloves already mentioned, that may avoid loss of dexterity associated with bulky finger coverings, are the half-finger paddling gloves. Yes, your finger tips are still exposed, but the palms and backs of the hands are protected, some warmth is provided, and they are good 'in between' choices. The point being, don't limit your choices to either very expensive diving gloves, or bulky non-diving gloves (e.g. gardening gloves, mechanic's gloves, etc.), or nothing

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I use thin kevlar reinforced cut proof gloves commonly found in stores that sell safety supplies for industrial settings. No insulation, rubberized palm and fingers:
Shannon Safety: Specializing in Personal Protective Equipment
The price is per dozen and they are great for warm water and any around the house chores.

 

[laguna230diver]

those 2m akonas have even helped me out on dives where i was probobaly stupid to wear them going in (ie 53F water)

 

[damage]

I've been using the scuba pro's tropic amara gloves for a while, they are comfortable and only 1.5mm, good protection if you have to grab a line in your way out, specially in Cozumel, sometimes the currents are strong.

 

[highdesert]

Here's one thread at the Cozumel forum discussing the issue ...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/co...knives-park-no-pocket-belt-knives-public.html

Here are the search results for "gloves" in the same forum ...

ScubaBoard - Search Results

 

[redacted]

Many Cozumel dive ops do not enforce the no gloves rule as long as you don't touch. But you generally don't need gloves anywhere in Cozumel except the wreck dive where you may need them more for the mooring line than for the ship. One expeption is sometimes in the late spring and summer they get some interesting jellyfish moving through and anything that is not covered may get stung. Uncomfortable but usually not too serious.

I have a pair of water sport gloves that I use if I need hand protection in warm water. Leather palms with fabric backs so little lose of dexterity. And they don't say scuba on them so the price tends to be more reasonable. I have found them at Walmart but they are seasonal.

 

[DandyDon]

But as a new diver doing a week in Cozumel, it was suggested I get a full length skin and wear gloves just in case I bump/graze/etc against something. Can't disagree with that, I've got a long way to go before I develop grace in the water.

Gloves and knives are prohibited in the Cozumel Marine Park. I often come back from there with a burn on a hand from brushing a brown feathery looking organism, even tho I try hard not to touch anything.
Take a tube of hydrocortizone cream or ointment just in case, and hot water soaks are better first aid than vinegar even tho a lot of old timers swear by the latter, not reading all of the recent DAN articles.

As a :newbie: it is really good to hire a private DM the first day or two. Money well spent. You'll learn so much faster & safer.

BTW, pocket knives are not allowed in Mexico at all. For more info on Cozumel, visit that forum here.

 

[Mark Michaud SELAUSAR]

For less than 5 bucs a pair, gloves like Jim Lap shows are great. Boss, Atlas and others are available at Wal Mart, Lowes, Home Depot, and Gardening stores. Check the tool, and gardening areas of these stores. They do gum up after awhile, but for the price, you will stay with them.

 

[Chris12day]

I always wear a wet suite. Just ask Steve Irwin (Crocodile Hunter) who was killed by a stingray.

I wear gloves wherever possible....cold fingers....

 

[Mopar]

I agree with "damage" those are the gloves I was refering to on my last post. I use them in the winter even. The water where I dive is always 55 deg. and have always kept me warm.