Cold Water Diving Advice

[krunchy]

Hi friends,

I am a long time diver, but have never taken the plunge in my home town of Toronto, Canada. I'm a total cold water novice, and would like some advice on the proper suit to use for Great Lakes diving.

With the number of deepish dives around, I'm wondering if a dry suit is my best option, or if a good wetsuit is doable as well. Price isn't a huge issue, and am looking to invest into something that will last me awhile. I will be diving in temperatures down to 4-5 degrees C.

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

In the long run, you'll be most comfortable in a drysuit with drygloves and warm undergarments. Do a search on ScubaBoard for the some good brands and models.

Buy a reg designed for cold water (environmentally-sealed first stage, in particular). Do another search to see what people recommend.

 

[diddydidit]

Money no object, but yourself a DUI CLX450 and a nice 400 gram undergarment and your set to go

 

[msg]

Viking X-treme with the artic plus undergarment. It is a great suit at a reasonable price.

 

[a22shady]

Bare Tri-lam HD Tech Dry. Or a Bare suit They are great quality and best bang for your buck. I dive in the Northeast so waters are not really warm here either. Last week water temp was about 40F. I would say to use a drysuit there are people that go it with a wetsuit and are ok with the surface ebing warmer me personally I wouldn't want to. As for gloves we use wetsuit gloves 5/7mm.

 

[Jorgy]

Lots of options......

I suggest you take a look at Whites........

I just bought a demo Catalyst 360 from Scuba Toys......

I think you will end up with a couple different undergarments......layering is a very good approach........heavy for the real cold dives and lighter for warm part of the dive season.......

I use wet 3 finger mitts for my real cold water dives but I will eventually get dry gloves.....but they are not cheap........

Self donning is very nice.....always dive with a buddy but still like self donning......

Also you may need to buy new fins as most drysuits have larger boots or overshoes....

Get a great fitting thick hood, it is key to cold water comfort.......

Hope this helps you and good luck.......M

 

[James Bond boat entry]

The White's Fusion line is the one you will want, find a shop and get a intro.

Drysuits - Fusion - Whites Diving

 

[SubMariner]

Hi friends,

I am a long time diver, but have never taken the plunge in my home town of Toronto, Canada. I'm a total cold water novice, and would like some advice on the proper suit to use for Great Lakes diving.

With the number of deepish dives around, I'm wondering if a dry suit is my best option, or if a good wetsuit is doable as well. Price isn't a huge issue, and am looking to invest into something that will last me awhile. I will be diving in temperatures down to 4-5 degrees C.

Thanks for any and all advice!

You are very wise to be looking at diving dry. It's the ONLY way to go in The Great White North!

There are a number of good makes out there including DUI, Whites, Brooks, Abyss... decide what material you want and what features, then start doing some research.

FYI, you don't necessarily need dedicated scuba "woolie bears" under a suit: you can do layers for a fraction of the cost and with more options depending on the temp of the water.

Bonne chance,

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Look into the White's Fusion, I hear nothing but good thigs about them. I dive wet myself in cold water, but if I was to dive dry (again) I would get a Fusion.

 

[TMHeimer]

At 4-5C (about 40F) and with 15-20C air temps. I am good doing 2 dives with SI with the 7 mil farmer john wetsuit. Can do one dive down to near 0C that way from my house. I guess it depends on how many dives you want to do in the Great Lakes. Obviously if this will be your main diving area and not just in Summer, you'd best go with a drysuit. If it's just the odd dive here & there and you plan dives in warmer climes you may want to save $ and go wet.