insulation = f(time, deco)

[stargost]

I’m wondering if there is some trend/rule of thumb where you add layer or change your undergarment at a certain point.

For example:
If you usually do rec dive <50min, 55F, with a polartec jumpsuit (let’s say a dui one), then you’d switch to a Xm450 for a tec dive <90min with same temperature

I’m sure there is a difference, but I’m trying to find out the additional insulation people do – as the cold/warm is a personal thing to start with, the add-on might not be.

My primary concern is I tend to be pretty cold already for a rec dive when getting ~ 50-55 (4thE Artic+couple of inner layers :depressed , so I’m concern I’ll have to stack up a xm250 and a xm450 for longer deco dives !!

 

[PfcAJ]

Ready for the secret? Get a quality hood.

Other than that, for longer dives I wear a 400g undergarment, a thick old style DUI hood (not the best, but I haven't got to a point where I need a Wetwear hood), underarmour Cold Gear top, and silkweight bottoms, plus argon.

 

[Rainer]

I use an old ~400g for all multidive days here in SoCal. When heading north (Monterey), I'll pull out the newer 400g (which is a lot warmer). For me, the 300g polartec is at best good for one shorter dive, usually in the warmer months locally. The 4th Element Artics aren't much warmer than a 300g polartec. This is all in a crushed neo suit with Capilene baselayer. In a trilam, I'd be looking to add more insulation. For longer local (and any Monterey) dives, I'll also take argon. Before dropping huge cash on more undergarments, make sure you have dry gloves with adequate liners and a good hood (e.g. 12mm Otter Bay). If you're still getting cold with all that (e.g. my wife), it's time to start looking at heated vests...

 

[LiteHedded]

shorter swims I wear a 200gram thinsulate. everything else I use a 400gram.
always wear underarmor cold gear long sleeve top under it and a custom Rubatex g-231N hood. air or argon depending on a few factors...

oh and the water temp is 68-72 degrees

 

[stargost]

ha ha, didnt realize you got the 400g too for regular socal dives. But this set up was what i suspected i had to move too (newer 400g for longer or colder dives).
And yes, i got the 12mm hood and the dry glove a whhiiiilllleee back already !

thanks

I use an old ~400g for all multidive days here in SoCal. When heading north (Monterey), I'll pull out the newer 400g (which is a lot warmer). For me, the 300g polartec is at best good for one shorter dive, usually in the warmer months locally. The 4th Element Artics aren't much warmer than a 300g polartec. This is all in a crushed neo suit with Capilene baselayer. In a trilam, I'd be looking to add more insulation. For longer local (and any Monterey) dives, I'll also take argon. Before dropping huge cash on more undergarments, make sure you have dry gloves with adequate liners and a good hood (e.g. 12mm Otter Bay). If you're still getting cold with all that (e.g. my wife), it's time to start looking at heated vests...

 

[smorneau]

Where online do you find a 12mm Otter Bay hood?

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

 

[Rainer]

Contact Cricket:

Otterbaysuits.com Homepage

They are all custom made.

Where online do you find a 12mm Otter Bay hood?

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

 

[TSandM]

Basically, I have a time limit for tolerance of Puget Sound -- about 70 minutes in summer water, 45 to 50 in winter. That's with the warmest undergarment I've been able to find, and a thick base layer, and argon. So I don't do any staged decompression diving that involves run times that push those limits. I now have a heated vest that I'll be trying this winter, because short of that, there is nothing else I can do to be warmer.

 

[FWADIVER]

I have also found a good hood (the new waterproof 10mm is pretty freaking warm) and dry, dryglove liners (started rotating them between dives as they tend to get a bit sweaty) go a long way towards keeping me warm longer. The fresh dryglove liners was a eureka moment for me, I was really surprised that even though my hands felt warm the dampness was sapping a lot of my body heat.

 

[lamont]

My primary concern is I tend to be pretty cold already for a rec dive when getting ~ 50-55 (4thE Artic+couple of inner layers :depressed , so I&#8217;m concern I&#8217;ll have to stack up a xm250 and a xm450 for longer deco dives !!

- xm450 is about the max you can wear and still have a chance of reaching your valves
- you need synthetic wicking, not cotton underlayer (bodyzor is very good, or xerotherm)
- heating vest like BtS can be added to that
- socks also need to not be cotton
- 12mm otter bay hood can be used for the hood
- CF200 can be used instead of TLS/FLX if its really cold
- drygloves with canadian tire liners
- argon