Cold water exposure protection

[chadj1990]

I m going diving in the gulf this weekend. The water temp is somewhere in the 60 degree range. I have a 7/8mm aqualung SOLAfx that I was comfortable in last year, that I can wear. I also have a 5mm suit i just purchased and I am wondering if it would be adequate wearing a full lavacore suit under the 5mm.

 

[tbone1004]

60* range I'd recommend the 7/8 if you are going deeper than 40ft. I'd be fine in lavacore+5mm, but the biggest thing is making sure you have a good hood

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

In those temps I personally use a 5 mil with lavacore under it. It give me the equivalent of a 7 mil and I only have to carry the weight to sink a 5 mil(of course in dubs or sidemount this is a non issue). Like Tbone said....a good hood is key, I always opt for a 7 mil hood when I wear one since my old melon gets chilled rather easily.

 

[Kharon]

Exposure protection is a real personal thing. It depends on a lot of factors. Some people have to be as warm as they are on the surface. Personally, I don't mind being a little chilly (not cold) in order to get rid of some lead. I regularly dive water in the low to mid 50's with a 3mm and 2 polyollfin under suits and a 3mm vest, 3mm gloves and a 5mm hood (bib cut off). That gets me from 26# in a 7mm to 12#. At 68, 14# less to carry into and out of the water is significant. I shore dive and sometimes it's a bit of a walk after gearing up.

 

[phishphood]

Probably fine with 5mm and lava core. Like others said though, a good hood will go a long way. So will a good fit on the wetsuit. If it's too loose then no good.