Drysuit hood choice for MX cenotes

[DDKL]

Just wondering what people have been using for hoods for extended cenote dives... I mostly have 7mm or thicker and was considering something thinner for this trip.

Does anyone have any brand or thickness recommendations?

 

[newmanl]

Hi DDKL,

I've been going to Mexico for cave diving once or twice a year for 8 years. I'm a fish-nerd and u/w photographer, so, whenever possible, after a cave dive I spend a bunch of time in the cenote photographing the fishes. I used to wear a 3mm drysuit hood (no bib, and with a 5mm wetsuit), but I used to get a bit chilled on long dives (90+ mins). Then I switched to a 3mm hood with a bib, and am very comfortable, even after two hours of not a lot of swimming. Hope that helps!

Lee

 

[DDKL]

I will be wearing a drysuit this time around as a 5mm wetsuit with hood was getting a little chilly at the end of the day after a few hours in water...

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

What does extended mean? Doubles and stages/rebreather extended? Of course, cold, is different for everyone.

I did (3) hour plus dives with a 45 minute SI between them in an old 3 mil full suit and a shorty underneath. By the end of the third dive, I was a little cold...but not bad. That's without any hood or gloves. If your diving dry, unless your extremely cold natured, I would think a minimal hood wood be sufficient...if any at all.

Are people from Minnesota, divers no less, even allowed to be cold natured? I would think it would be hard to run from the polar bears and abominable snowmen if you were shivering...

If your doing 2 hour plus dives, you might throw a 3mm or hyperstretch hood in your bag...it's not like it's hard to pack. If you need it, it's there. Get ready for some beautiful dives!!

Good luck, safe travels.

Jay

 

[tbone1004]

you can always flush the hoods or take them off temporarily if you get hot. Really hard to add layers if you need it. I dive with 7mm hoods regularly and have never minded using them so try to always dive with the thick hoods

 

[garyh]

Just back from a week of extended range cave dives down there. Do multiple trips a year there. In the past I've used an 5m compressed neo hood but its getting a bit dated and worn. Its always been a bit on the warm side while suiting up. This trip I went with a 3m 4th element hood, worked great! One dive per day, dbls with a stage or two some scootering anywhere from 2 1/2 to 4 hours in length. Always dive dry but my head was plenty warm enough.

 

[macado]

5mm hood in Mexico works for me but your mileage may vary. Actually it's a 8 year old Fourth Element 7mm hood (no bib) so it's probably like 3.5-4mm at this point.

As

 

[JohnnyC]

I did full cave in a 3mm wetsuit no hood and I only got cold towards the end of the last day. Now I dive with a K01 because I’m typically doing pretty long dives and it’s just more comfortable. It’s all a matter of cold tolerance. The last time I was there I just did cavern diving with a friend and didn’t bother with a hood and had no issues.

 

[Preach]

If the dives are shorter then 60 min i don't use a hood. If a dive is longer i use a 3mm hood. I always dive in a drysuit, also in Mexico, i tend to get cold pretty fast.
On 3 hours+ dives i always get cold toward the end of the dive.

 

[ladiver33]

K01 5mm !