diving without a wet suit

[vlkr]

you will get lots of opinions but the bottom line is that it is pretty personal. 3 things to take into consideration-
aldora uses big tanks and tends to get more experienced customers. both of those things add up to longer deeper dives. that is a good thing but remember that cold is cumulative.
cold can be a contributing factor to the bends.
a wet suit is not only insulation, it is also protection from nasty things in the sea.
i would take at least a 1mm fullsuit and a beanie.
btw aldora provides coats on the boat if anyone is chilly.

 

[rongoodman]

When I saw the title I thought you were diving dry all the time.

 

[cvchief]

I dove a shorty on my first trip. Since then, commando only. OK, not truly commando cuz that would be frightening, but board shorts and a coolibar shirt. I think last September we dove after the storm and the thermoclines were messed up. You would be floating along and it felt like someone opened a door and you got a draft up your skirt so to speak. Just that fast it would be gone. It was really odd for a place that is so temperature consistent. I did get a little chilly then.

 

[blue steal]

I did at least 30 dives last year in Roatan ( I was living in Honduras--back to Chicago now ) and dove only in board shorts and a dive skin shirt. I'm planning a trip to Cozumel in late Feb. and am wondering if I can do the same.

It was so great to dive without the suit. The water can't be all THAT much colder than Roatan, can it? Anybody have experience diving without the wet suit in Cozumel at this time of year?

We're thinking of Aldora...

Thnx,

Wicko

Like others have said it is all personal. For me I dove with 3/2 shortie for all the morning 2-tank dives and the afternoon shore dive was just a bathing suit for 70+ minutes. Never cold or even chilled.
But on the next trip, I am doing a 1mm Akona full suit not for the thermal but for those accidental scrapes or stingys.

 

[Sue Sue]

I did at least 30 dives last year in Roatan ( I was living in Honduras--back to Chicago now ) and dove only in board shorts and a dive skin shirt. I'm planning a trip to Cozumel in late Feb. and am wondering if I can do the same.

It was so great to dive without the suit. The water can't be all THAT much colder than Roatan, can it? Anybody have experience diving without the wet suit in Cozumel at this time of year?

We're thinking of Aldora...

Thnx,

Wicko[/QUOTE

I have 5 levels to my wetsuit needs. Depending on the time of year I choose 2 or 3 lower steps or 2 or 3 higher steps. My five layers are:

#1 Thin lycra skin
#2 1mm fleece skin
#3 3mm full wetsuit
#4 3 mm Core warmer
#5 2 mm Hood

My base is my 3mm full wetsuit. That goes with me anywhere, anytime. For expected warm water and conditions I pack #1 - #3. For expected cooler water and condition I pack #3-#5. For February/Cozumel I personally would pack #3 - #5. This way I would have my bases covered for cold conditions and prevent chilling my core. However, when I dive Cozumel in July I choose levels #1 -#3. This way I can choose how much or less warmth that is needed. As mentioned, regardless of your comfort level, if you have at least a lycra skin use it to protect yourself from stings and scrapes. It all comes down to what your needs are. Have a Great time !

 

[Aigtbootbp]

Wow, I thought I had already replied to this thread but it looks like I haven't.
Anyway, my experience is that shorts are just fine... for my first dive. I will get a bit chilled on the second though. Now my standard outfit is a 3/2 full suit. No hood or anything else and I am quite comfy like this. I would like to try a 3 shorty but then again with the full I am protected from stings/scrapes etc.
BTW, my step daughter got hit by either fire coral or a jellyfish at Chankanaab while snorkelling. It did no permanent damage but after seeing how it affected her I don't want to have to deal with it myself. That incident has greatly affected my decision to wear what I do.

 

[pidgiepoo]

I just bought a dive parka for the ride in the boat after diving. So I liked it so much I bought the company.

LOL- are you serious? Did you really buy the company or are you pullin my leg? Are you giving the SBer's a discount? I want one !

 

[MMM]

LOL- are you serious? Did you really buy the company or are you pullin my leg? Are you giving the SBer's a discount? I want one !

I am sure he is quoting from an ad campaign that ran a number of years ago...maybe only in Canada. Some guy was touting a product and concludes the ad by saying "I liked it so much I bought the company." I forget the product or spokesperson, but the ad was memorable.

 

[judydivescoz]

I am sure he is quoting from an ad campaign that ran a number of years ago...maybe only in Canada. Some guy was touting a product and concludes the ad by saying "I liked it so much I bought the company." I forget the product or spokesperson, but the ad was memorable.

I think the commercial was for shaving razers...Shick, Gillette or something like that.

 

[pidgiepoo]

I am sure he is quoting from an ad campaign that ran a number of years ago...maybe only in Canada. Some guy was touting a product and concludes the ad by saying "I liked it so much I bought the company." I forget the product or spokesperson, but the ad was memorable.

Well I thought something smelled rotten in Denmark !! I wondered if maybe it was a Canadian expression..until I saw where Judy from NY commented on the commercial,too.. Guess I just missed it somehow. Anyway..now I'm gonna have to find a good deal on a parka somewhere else. Thanks MMM