Cold water diving

[beester]

First 2 winter seasons I dived wet. This was down to 38Ž°F (3-4Ž°C). First year I could manage up to 60 min in this temp. 2nd year I upgraded my gear and could stay in without hypothermia risk up to 45 min. Third year I bought a DUI CF200 .

Couple of pointers:
- When diving wet in winter I only did 1 dive a day.
- I made sure that I was overheated before getting in my suit. If possible changing into suit in a heated environment.
- 1st year I was as a new diver much more 'active' underwater this may amount to more heat generation
- 1st year your neoprene in the wetsuit is less crushed so the isolation capability is higher.
- Don't dive deep. (diminishes the isolative capacitiy of the wetsuit)
- Make sure the suit fits... don't forget the head. You lose alot of heat through the head so thicker hoods or even wearing 2 hoods over eachother might help.

Cheers

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I did a dive with a water temp of 36 degrees and an air temp of about 5 below zero in a 7mm wetsuit and no shelter. Under the ice no doubt to a depth of like 120 or so. Looking back, I cant understand why. A drysuit is gonna seem like the best investment in the world after a dive like that. The only thing better than a drysuit would be a drysuit with a heater inside which is also worth maxing out a CC on if you have to do cold dives w/ decompression.

 

[Notso_Ken]

What was the coldest water temp you dived in with a wetsuit, after which you happily and cheerfully looked forward to making at least two more dives that day - because your exposure protection was plenty warm enough for you and you were not at all uncomfortable - and what kind of wetsuit was it?

38 degree F water, on a nice 70 degree day. 65 feet deep for a 45 minute dive.

I was in a 7mm farmer john / jacket 2 piece Fathom Sea Flex wetsuit.


Ken

 

[Sas]

What was the coldest water temp you dived in with a wetsuit, after which you happily and cheerfully looked forward to making at least two more dives that day - because your exposure protection was plenty warm enough for you and you were not at all uncomfortable - and what kind of wetsuit was it?

People who answer this question give a much more accurate picture of diving wet in cold water.

I've done three dives in 10C temperature in a 7mm semidry suit. Surface temp was 8C, with cold winds and rain. They were 30mins each approximately and I was taking photos. So as I was barely moving I got so cold I couldn't press the camera button anymore and my hands were in a lot of pain. Surface intervals of 15mins between first and second dive and about 1.5hrs for second and third dive. I got out of my suit before the third dive and I was definitely not "happily and cheerfully" looking forward to suiting up in the freezing cold wind

I went and bought a drysuit literally a few days later before my next dive as I figured I wanted to keep up my diving but not be so hampered by the cold as I noticed my dives were getting shorter and less enjoyable. One dive is fine wet in cold water and even a few more but to be comfortable it is better to be warm. One of my best dive gear purchases yet.

 

[Rick Inman]

When I was a youngster, I used to make dives in S. CA in a 7mm farmer john, and I was cold. In fact, ScubaPro used to sell this white cream that was supposed to keep you a bit warmer but didn't, and I used to smear that on.

When I got back into diving some years ago, I did a wetsuit dive in Puget Sound with water temps in the 40's and was cold again. I thought, enough of this, and bought a drysuit and haven't looked back. I even took my drysuit (fusion) to Hawaii a couple of weeks ago and it was awesome!

 

[shoredivr]

31 minutes, 42F in a 7mm in May nine years ago in Ontario. That surface interval and second dive (15 min dive was all I could stand) was what decided me on a drysuit.

Never looked back.

 

[k ellis]

38 in a 5 mil. The air temp was about 70 Only lasted like 10 minutes then rented a 7 mil farmer john and was ok for 2 more dives. After the reality set in later how cold it was I wouldnt do it again.

 

[opie]

About 35 mins in 50 dgree water with a 3mm suit. Although after purchasing my drysuit. i will not be wet unless it is above 70

 

[Cavs42]

80 deg in a 3mil shorty. my next dive was 40 deg in a drysuit.

 

[scubaAlan]

I have dove in 46 degree for 35 minutes in a full 7 mil suit. I just purchase a 7mil hooded vest to go on top of my full suit. I hope it will not be too bouyant or bulky.