diving in guam-need advice

[Divemastr]

I gotta agree with DandyDon. I do not get cold easily, but prefer to wear full suits for skin protection. As for the bacteria, any bacteria can cause serious injuries under the right conditions. While I am not familiar with bacteria found only in salt water, as a used to be Medical Technologist, I have found bacteria which is normal in some areas be quite lethal if placed into the part of the body and the body is already under immunological stress. Anyway, my 2 cents.. Wearing some kind of protection suit will lower the risk of infections.

 

[Michael Schlink]

Leanne20- here's what I would suggest. You may or may not be comfortable in a shorty but you will always be comfortable in a one piece 3 mil suit. Plus they can be used for layering under another suit. Most 3 mils can be had for around $100. As far as which type of fin here are a few "facts" Fullfoot fins may actually give better propulsion are often easier to pack for travelling and many warm water divers swear by them. Open heal fins are FAR more versatile as has been mentioned. And for some are easier to put on. If you don't see yourself owning BOTH types of fins then go with the open heal adjustable type that way you'll always have a great set of "flippers" JMHO- PS I have dove/dived in all the places mentioned numerous times, I always wear some kind of 3 mil suit. and I wear open heal Atomic splits!

 

[Rooster]

Hafa Adia Leanne,
Welcome to Guam. How long are you going to be here? And what type of diving do you plan on doing back home? If I were you, I would get a good skin. That way you would be comfortable, thermal wise and scrape wise, while diving on Guam. It will also help keep you from getting sunburned while you are here. Plus you can use it under what ever type of wetsuit you will use elsewhere. I also recommend the strapped fins as they will allow you to use them in all conditions. Full foot are OK for warm water boat diving or where you can walk into the water bare foot. You can't walk in barefoot here on Guam, so if you are going to do any shore dives while you are here, you will need booties and adjustable strapped fins. I have over 2500 dives here on Guam, I use a 1.5 mil shortie, skins make me look like a bull seal ;-} For booties I like warm water (thin) zippered high tops. Low tops are a little more comfortable for most, but I hate getting sand in them on shore dives.

 

[Diver1126]

Hafa Adai from Guam It looks like you have been getting some good advice and I recognize a couple of your responders. I have been diving and teaching diving on Guam for 19 years and after 4000 plus dive on Guam am getting acclimated to the 82-86F water so sometimes at night I have to reach for that 3mm suit. The rest of the time I am wearing either a full .5mm suit/skin or just shorts and t-shirt. As for fins, I love my full foot split fins when I am diving from the boat but the rocks and corals will make for a bad day if you aren't wearing booties and using open heel adjustable fins when shore diving. I also like the hi-top felt bottom booties. They are less slippery on the wet rocks/coral, provide good padding on the bottom from sharp rocks and the hi-tops keep the sand out. Since you live in a cold water environment a thin suit can be excellent layering for when you need to wear more thermal protection later. Enjoy your diving in Guam. The warm water and good visibility will spoil you for diving in other parts of the world.

 

[emtdan]

I would go with what most other ppl said:

.5 thin suit, or my fave, dive skin, and bathing suit, thats all you need. For night dives, i would consiter a shorty, but just stay off the bottom.