Another Cozumel noob looking for advice from the regulars

[MMM]

If you choose to go with one of the steel tank ops, you could be pulling some very long bottom times and over a few days, you may get quite chilled; I do. In the summer, I wear a 3/2 BARE with a beanie. As others have mentioned, there are hydroids; mostly they are attached to the reef but sometimes there ARE floaty/stingy things in the water. I have seen people with some pretty ugly hydroid stings.

 

[cvchief]

Oh yea, pick me for the hydroids. Last time Alison pointed out the mother of all lobster in a little cave. I was sort of slightly upside down trying to get a picture. Looked as big as a german shepherd. Thought I was good, as I steadied to get the shot. Then I felt the gentle brush on my knee and I said to myself "is that a hydroid?" and then I realized I could actually feel everyone of those little buggers stinging me all 2,732 of them..... I thought, "Oh dear, THAT is going to leave a mark." And it did. Thankfully most of my reaction to them is visual. It looked awlful and this one was bad enough to start to itch and hurt a little esp. where the bottom of my shorts rubbed it. I sprayed it with solarcaine and it was ok in a day or so. Took a while to fade. Had a lovely deep purple color towards the end..... I still go semi-commando, as I don't want to mistaken for a bratwurst if possibile... We went to Playa Corona and some lady was telling her friend that I had fire coral. Sheez, I have better boyancy control than that.....

And if you are worried about a tinkled-up wet suit, then I guess you don't want a wetsuit valet. Do you really think they get washed individually?

 

[ColoDale]

There are 4 Admirals clubs in DFW - one on each concourse. We have been to the one in Concourse D. I don't recall Barcoloungers but big chairs and couches. Plenty of space.

 

[DandyDon]

I normally dive a 1 mil long in Coz and take a 3 mil in case I need more as I hate being cold. Lee is used to diving California so may find the tropical water cozy but tolerances vary. At any rate I like long suit! I have a 1 mil short I bought by mistake a decade ago, still fits - wear it at the lake or swimming pool.

And if you are worried about a tinkled-up wet suit, then I guess you don't want a wetsuit valet. Do you really think they get washed individually?

That's why I wash mine in my shower. I also take a small spray bottle of pet urine spray.

 

[MMM]

And if you are worried about a tinkled-up wet suit, then I guess you don't want a wetsuit valet. Do you really think they get washed individually?

It's called disinfectent for a reason. It disinfects everything it comes in contact with. Do you think that in a hospital, they separately disinfect each test tube, etc. etc.?

 

[Mossman]

I normally dive a 1 mil long in Coz and take a 3 mil in case I need more as I hate being cold. Lee is used to diving California so may find the tropical water cozy but tolerances vary. At any rate I like long suit! I have a 1 mil short I bought by mistake a decade ago, still fits - wear it at the lake or swimming pool.

That's why I wash mine in my shower. I also take a small spray bottle of pet urine spray.

You spray pet urine in your suit to counteract your own? DandyDon, you never fail to surprise me.

 

[Leejnd]

Well, ya'll convinced me - guess I need to find myself a 1- or 3-mil wetsuit before I go! What about diving in a wetsuit liner? I'm used to diving in c-c-c-COLD water, so that water's going to feel pretty balmy to me (it was 57 at depth when I dove on Thursday). My husband has one and that's what he wore when we were diving in Belize, and he was perfectly comfy. I could pick up one up for not too much money...

Anyway, wanted to mention that I spent about 45 minutes chatting with Dave and Memo from Aldora today at the scuba show in Long Beach. Great guys, and we discussed many things. I feel very comfortable with them, and that's who I'm going to dive with.

Meanwhile, on the roll-call thread, we've already set up two meet-n-greets with the Scubaboarders who will be down there in July. All in all it's shaping up to be an excellent trip! Thanks again for all the fabulous advice!

 

[DandyDon]

A wetsuit liner or dive skin may well be enough for you, and if not - then you can wear it under a rented suit.

 

[Leejnd]

Actually, Don, I think you're on to something there. I can pick up a liner and wear that even under a shorty (which might look kinda weird, but then diving isn't exactly the most fashionable sport, after all!). And if I find that I don't need the shorty, I can dive in just the liner. I would find more use for a liner than a 3-mil suit at home (I can wear it under my 7-mil on really cold days), and it would be much less bulk for packing.

Dave at Aldora told me he'd throw in the shorty for free, so I think this might be the best solution.

 

[Diver Kat]

Actually, Don, I think you're on to something there. I can pick up a liner and wear that even under a shorty (which might look kinda weird, but then diving isn't exactly the most fashionable sport, after all!). And if I find that I don't need the shorty, I can dive in just the liner. I would find more use for a liner than a 3-mil suit at home (I can wear it under my 7-mil on really cold days), and it would be much less bulk for packing.

Dave at Aldora told me he'd throw in the shorty for free, so I think this might be the best solution.

I frequently dive my shorty with a full skin underneath. You're right - not exactly fashionable, but it works!! I'd wear just the shorty but I invariably get stung by sea lice (or something!) if I don't wear the skin. When the water gets warm, I just wear the skin. Doesn't seem to matter the time of year - anything out there will find and bite me!