5.5 or 7mm for all year round UK

[Lims]

Hello, me again,,

I just baught an "Aqualung Balance Comfort 5.5mm
5.5mm one-piece and over suit and a separate hood. All in Ultrastrech Neoprene"

This was sold to me by a local store who said it was there warmest semidry.
I just changed dive schools (last one was breaking regulations, tried to do boat dive and deep dive on same dive!). I have been told by my new (very informative, I like him) instructor that for diving all year round in the UK I will need 7mm 2 piece semidry and he says the 5.5 mm aqualung I bought needs to be changed as I will get cold. What's people opinions on this? I also want to use my suit in warmer climes, I should also mention that I do get cold easier, I am thin and there is next to no fat on me, do I need to change to a 7mm or is my 5.5 OK?

Thanks again

sam

 

[String]

For all year round diving in the UK you want a drysuit.

5.5mm you'll freeze probably even in summer especially when you consider the cold air temperatures during surface interval.
2 piece 7mm you'll be cold but maybe ok for short dives in summer and freeze in winter.

It really isnt worth spending lots of money on a wetsuit if you want to dive in the UK.

The 5.5mm will work abroad nicely in places where the water temperature is above 20c.

 

[AndyNZ]

I agree with String... drysuit is the way to go, even in summer. It's been a long time since I lived in the UK, but there's no way I'd dive there now without my DS. I occasionally sneak into a 7mm here in summer, I wouldn't even think about a 5mm... and our water temp is regularly over 20 degC.

 

[Laustimus]

NDBC - Station 62305

58F water.. 5mm won't even be close.