Can I use normal clothing for undergarments for single cold dive?

[dylanfromwinnipeg]

Almost all of my diving is in the mexican caves, and I wear a drysuit with 4th element Xerotherm base layer which is fine for 3+ hr dives in 24C water.

I spend my summers in winnipeg, and there's a lake where all the diving happens. Honestly it sounds awful, cold, low viz, nothing to see. But I figure I live there I should try diving it at least once.

I don't plan to do any other cold water diving, and don't want to purchase thicker undergarments for just one dive. It's about 15C, and I expect the dive to be 40-60 mins.

Can I just wear my xerotherm base layer, and toss a fleece and sweatpants over top of it for the one dive? is that reasonable?

 

[broncobowsher]

You can probably get away with poly fleece, but not cotton.

My guess is you will have enough other issues (learning curve) with cold water that it isn't going to be any long or extreme dive. I would write this off as simply part of the learning curve.

 

[DrakeTheDiver]

I would think you should be fine with normal fleece clothes. Several of the guys I dive with use normal fleece clothes. One dude even wore jeans and a t shirt under it all. You can always call it short if you end up getting too cold.

 

[Redtwo]

Sure, 15 degrees is not that cold. And just make sure you use layers. If you are going to do it more often then investing in some under garment is better but for a 'try dive' you will probably be fine.

 

[flymolo]

totally. but skip anything cotton

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Can I just wear my xerotherm base layer, and toss a fleece and sweatpants over top of it for the one dive? is that reasonable?

I think so. No cotton.

 

[stepfen]

Normal clothes work fine. Even cotton is ok-ish at these temperatures (unless you flood the suit, get large leak or sweat a lot). If you can, better avoid it to be sure.

Beware though of any bulky metal parts like zippers, buttons, grommets etc. They can get very annoying if not painful if/when squeezed by water pressure.

I've done several dives at these temperatures with normal workout clothes and fleece jacket. Only problem I ever had was pain on my sternum at depth by a forgotten halfway up jacket zipper in a couple of occasions.

 

[DCN]

Echoing the no cotton sentiment.
Beware, you might just enjoy the colder waters

 

[grantmac]

15c is pretty warm, you'll be fine

 

[davecampbell]

I was on a dive charter in Tobermory once, where temps at depth are in the low 40s, and a guy removed his drysuit to reveal blue jeans and a sweatshirt. I was surprised to say the least, but clearly, you can dive in just about anything really. Will you get the best performance ? likely not....but it can be done.