First time diver and first time in Cozumel! What type of suit should I bring?

[ThePetiteRunner]

Hello hello Scuba board!

You guys were SO helpful before when I posted about getting certified PRIOR to leaving for my honeymoon in Cozumel (our classes are the next two weekends by the way!) that I'm hoping you'll be able to assist me again

So! Obviously I'm excited as all HECK and am currently accumulating some scuba gear to take with me. I have a question about what type of suit to get. I was planning on getting a wet suit, and possibly a thicker one (maybe 5 mm), which I know is probably overkill for diving in such a warm place, but I'm ALWAYS cold. Just for reference, I'm 5'0" and only about 105-110 lbs or so. I get cold pretty easily, so I was erring on the side of a warmer suit, but what the heck do I know?

Anyway, if you guys can let me know what you wear while diving in warm waters and have any advice for me, I would be much obliged!

Thanks in advance and happy diving!

Cathy

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

If you get cold easy why not just go with a 5 mil? The worst that can happen is you get a tad warm during the dive, pull on the neck and let some water in to cool off. Sure beats going with a suit that's not enough exposure protection for you and being cold for all of your dives. Just food for thought.

 

[morecowbells]

Welcome to the wonderful world of diving! I started with a 3mm wetsuit. Like yourself, I am always cold, even in July I keep my hoodie near and dear when eating out or going to the movies. After repetitive days of diving I would still get cold in my 3 mm suit and decided to purchase a Lavacore vest to layer with my full wetsuit. A few years ago I purchased a 5 mm wetsuit. Now it is the only one I wear when diving. My husband on the other hand cannot stand "getting hot" while diving. Never an issue with me. The only downside to wearing a thicker wetsuit is the additional weight required to maintain neutral buoyancy. Not a big deal when boat diving, but it can be more cumbersome in shore diving destinations. Still worth it though......

 

[pjhansman]

The last thing I want when diving is to get cold. In Canada, nothing but a dry suit. In Coz, both my wife I use 5 mil full suits. Never had an issue with being too warm.

 

[MMM]

I am on the slender side and am always cold. I even get chilled eventually wearing my 5 mil WITH a 5/3 hooded vest underneath!

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

Divers also need to keep in the back of their minds that cold is a factor of time, what may feel nice and comfy on one or two quick dips over a weekend will often become woefully insufficient on a 3-4 dive a day week long vacation.

 

[ThePetiteRunner]

Thank you all for your advice, I really appreciate it. I think I'll go with the 5 mm then. It's just that my fiancé is ALWAYS hot and I think listening to him talk about how uncomfortable HE would be is making me doubt myself.

Thanks again for the feedback!

 

[sinistar]

Another vote for 5mm full suit. Since you know you get cold easily, it might not hurt to bring along a 5mm hood (or make sure you can rent one if needed). Hoods aren't that expensive and easy to pack.

Another thing to consider in Cozumel is to have some type of light coat / wind breaker to put on right after the dive. As you get farther south it can be a bit windy and even with the warm air temps I see people get chilled right after the 1st dive. Some will wrap up in a towel but that isn't enough if you are already cold. Also, on some boats you might be taking just a bit of light spray over the bow (not sea-sick kinda waves, just some spray) and this mixed with some wind at morning air temps might leave you feeling chilled and really wishing you had that light jacket / wind breaker with a hood.

By your second dive the air will be so warm you will wonder why you brought a jacket! That jacket can also come in handy if you are cold at night walking home from dinner. Or if there is a quick norte blowing through.

 

[ggunn]

Another thing to consider in Cozumel is to have some type of light coat / wind breaker to put on right after the dive. As you get farther south it can be a bit windy and even with the warm air temps I see people get chilled right after the 1st dive. Some will wrap up in a towel but that isn't enough if you are already cold.

The first thing I do when I get out of the water is get that neoprene off the top half of my body. Even in May when I usually am there, when the boat starts moving evaporative cooling of my wetsuit will chill me, and wrapping in a damp towel makes it even worse. If I get the wetsuit off my upper body, even taking spray doesn't chill me as much as wet neoprene.

 

[Queen Triggerfish]

The first thing I do when I get out of the water is get that neoprene off the top half of my body. Even in May when I usually am there, when the boat starts moving evaporative cooling of my wetsuit will chill me, and wrapping in a damp towel makes it even worse. If I get the wetsuit off my upper body, even taking spray doesn't chill me as much as wet neoprene.

Me too. I do this religiously. And actually most of the time, I take the whole wetsuit off. Putting on another layer of sunscreen and then letting my skin warm up (hopefully in the sun!) is much more helpful. Or if the sun isn't out, I put on pants (black Lucy yoga pants, before "yoga pants" meant leggings) and a jacket.

I also vote for the 5mm. Although if you are going in the end of summer, an argument could be made for a 3mm and a vest. I'm always cold, and I'm bringing my 5mm next week.