can a wetsuit be too warm?

[xiSkiGuy]

Frankly, that is horrible advice. Maybe someone overweight, working hard, with very short duration and no repetitive diving, or with an incredible cold tolerance could do a 75 F degree dive in a 1.5mm core warmer, but for most of the rest of the diving public, I would consider a 3-5mm full suit a minimum for this temp range. I have used a 7mm and a 3mm+5mm core warmer and was comfortable in both.

I couldn't agree more, Soggy.

I'm forever hearing overweight or temperature tolerant divers saying, "I could do that dive in a t-shirt!" Well maybe you can do that dive, but not everybody can. Temperature tolerance and exposure protection needs are very personal and can vary greatly: My brother is in great shape with almost zero body fat and he had to wear a hooded vest for his pool session training and a 5mm fullsuit in Mexico (in the summer no less!). On those same Mexico dives I had a 0.5mm on and was comfortable, but I wouldn't presume to tell everybody to outfit themselves that way.

I frequently wear a 7mm in temps below 80F and I've never been too hot. I've gotten cold in a 7mm in 70F water while repetitive cave diving.

 

[BRANDY]

well I called up my instructor and voiced my concerns. He said he was ready to hang himself on the fact that I would not be too warm underwater. But he's going to contact scubapro and ask why on earth they sent him a 7mm and if they can send the right one pronto. Since it was after all their mistake.

And yes I do live faraway, on a small island in the north antlantic. So these things take time unfortunately

Have Scubapro ship it to Mexico

 

[terrasmak]

yeah that would be nice but you see I'm a rather tall (180 cm), curvy female so I doubt that I'll find a cheapo that fits.

Really :14: well back on subject the 5mm should be fine a 3 should be fine but i would at least have a 5mm hooded vest with me .

 

[CUunderH2O]

I'm a fairly slim female. I dive a drysuit in home waters (St. Lawrence river), but I dive my 7/5 fullsuit anywhere in the south. This year I dove that wetsuit in Roatan in April (78F) and I felt nice and toasty for our hour-long dives. The previous year I dove a 3mm in Cozumel, and I was shivering after just 20 minutes. Remember, if you're too warm in a wetsuit, just flush some water through the collar. If you're too cold, there's nothing you can do...

 

[String]

Dove key large in july 2005 in a full 3mm suit and dive 1 was ok, dive 2 a bit cold, dive 3 very cold, dive 4/night dive even worse. Over several days it got worse. Water was 28-30c (82-84f)

If i go there again (not intending to as wasnt impressed but it might happen) i'll be in 5mm semi dry without any doubt.

I dived in 30c (85f?) water in a 5mm+3mm vest semi dry and in one occasion with a 3mm shorty on top and was not overheating. Didnt even begin to feel "im a bit warm". If that did happen though id have flushed some water down and solved the problem.

Too hot can be fixed on a dive, too cold cant.

 

[Frasermcd]

All my diving, I mean 100% has been done in 85 - 89 Degree Water and at times both myself and other DM's or Instructors diving 3 or 4 dives a day everyday found ourselves shivering in 3mm wetsuits. Especially during longer dives. But I beleive it is true about your temp lowing over repetative dives, after all the water is sucking your heat out each and every time you go under.

Now it is true that we all removed at least the top part of our suits immediatly upon surfacing as it was just too hot in tropical sun. But those who didnt used a little trick that you may find useful, They loosened the neck and poured water down their suits "OFTEN"

Bear in mind that the suit thickness in your case is probably the most important factor out of the water than in it. the difference between 5mm and 7mm in the water is a bit of extra weight needed and maybe more heat, easily offset by the cooling 74'F water. But out of the water the suit will be like a furnace.

I would reccommend that unless you will be using the suit somewher else, you return it and get your 5mm.

 

[Daryl Morse]

In my opinion, a 7 mm suit is too warm for Playa del Carmen. I just got back from Cozumel. The water was 82F and I was wearing a 3 mm shorty. I wasn't overly warm, but I would have been in a 7 mm suit. Most of the people on the boats with me were wearing a 3 mm full suits, some with a skin underneath. I have dived in 70F water wearing a 5 mm and it was okay.

My advice is that you should exchange the suit for a 3 mm or a 5/3 if you can, but if you can't, the nice thing about a wetsuit is that it's okay if you sweat in it because you're going to be wet anyway. You can also unzip it and/or dump water inside to keep cool during the SI.

One more thing. Disregard the idea that if you regularly dive in a drysuit you don't need as much wetsuit. That's total bunk.

 

[Onda]

One more thing. Disregard the idea that if you regularly dive in a drysuit you don't need as much wetsuit. That's total bunk.

yeah I don't know where people get that idea from. Even though I'm from cold climate I'm not warm blooded. I just bundle up to keep warm :blinking:

I hope they will be able to send the 5 mm in time. If only because I feel a bit ridiculous showing up with a 7 mm :embarass:

 

[skynscuba]

at 75F, you will need a 1mm or 1.5 core warmer at most.

Do you know this person? That is too little thermal protection for most people. My GF is comfortable in a 4/3 fullsuit and 5mm hood at 84F, and would be cold in the same suit at 79F. I get uncomfortably cool in my 3mm full suit with 1mm beenie at 78F. In the rare case where I need to cool off in the water (85+ in the shallows), I just pull the neck seal open and let in some water.

OTOH, 7mm could be a bit much, if the OP doesn't get cold easily, and the extra lead and extra donning/doffing effort are a pain. It will be really hot above water.

 

[under water]

One more thing. Disregard the idea that if you regularly dive in a drysuit you don't need as much wetsuit. That's total bunk.

Just my own observation that folks that live in the more tropical areas tend to dive with thicker suits than the snowbirds that fly south. I'm always amazed that folks wear hoods in 80+ degree water, but I do understand that over time, acclimatization seems to occur. However no matter what feels comfortable in the water, I think a 7mm will be hot on the boat.
What about diving dry? Adjust the undies to accomodate.