Hatul
Contributor
Depth is also a factor with wetsuits as the neoprene compresses. But the bottom line is, since you already have your suit, just to try it.
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I regularly dive with a 5 mil over a 3 mil hooded vest in water 55 F and warmer. I also have 5 mils gloves and 5 mil boots. I weigh about 205, and am 5'10". Body mass and body type are big factors when it comes to heat loss in the water. If you are long and lean, use that dry suit. If you are built like me, the wetsuit with hood and gloves will be ok. The cold water diving for me is on training weekends, and over two days I am usually in the water a total of six or seven hours. If the air is warm and the sun is out, I am fine. On cloudy days I am definitely cold by the end of the day. I look forward to the report back here after you go dive the wetsuit.
DivemasterDennis
I'm an inch shorter and have about 5 additional lbs.... sounds like I should be ok as I don't get cold easily. Now if the wind would stop blowing and I can get my boat out of the travel lift.... I will be all set.
Thank you
we had our checkout dives last year april 30th and may 1st
all shore dives in Lake Ontario with air temperature of around 59F but sunny and windy and water temperature of 35F
we lasted anywhere from 30-40 minutes
i had a 2 piece 7mm suit like this one and i was fine, i actually stayed in it between dives, that's how comfy and warm it was, better than taking it off and putting it on wet and cold few hours later
Up until last yeat I wore a 7mm wetsuit throughout the winter (and Lake Ontario gets pretty cold in winter). I was able to do around 30-40 minutes without getting too cold (uncomfortable but not hypothermic). I made the decision to get a drysuit when I realized that if something went wrong on the dive and I wasn't able to get out of the water when scheduled...OOA that resulted in a long surface swim or assisiting my buddy if they were in trouble, cramping etc., then I would be in real trouble.
So, yes I was fine diving wet all winter as long as everything went according to plan but I realized that 15 extra minutes in the water might be the difference between a safe dive and a tragedy.
Bob (Toronto)