Drysuit vs. 7mil

[TSandM]

It really comes down to how much you plan to dive. If you are only here for the summer, and intend to return to Florida and have no need for a dry suit there, it doesn't make much sense to buy one. In addition, if you have never dived a dry suit, there IS a learning curve.

In summer water here, people do dive wet. They usually don't do more than one dive in a day, though.

If Seattle will be a long-term base, or you intend to return here, I think a dry suit is a must.

 

[nwhitney2003]

I just dove in the sound with a two piece 7mil suite and stayed nice and warm the whole time. When it comes for multiply dives I find hot water helps to put on the wet suite, especially if it's cold and wet. I've never used a dry suite so I don't know what's better just that I was fine in the wet suite.

 

[Devin27]

Well I went for the wet suit, and it honestly wasn't that bad. The dive master I went with actually came prepared with hot water and that felt great. It wasn't too bad until the end of our 2nd dive, then it was getting a little cold. But I would definitely go again and plan to. I want to dive Hood canal and Edmonds underwater park

 

[imasinker]

Congrats Devin!....As long as you enjoy your dive that's all that matters.

 

[Gdog]

Hmmm......Ive always felt you wetsuit cold divers are either brave or crazy....dry all the way for me.

 

[mpgunner]

Sounds good Devin. i'm completing my first year of diving here and I had planned on sticking with my wetsuit all year round. But when the water temp in the winter hit 43 that was it. I switched to a drysuit and, as TS&M said there is a learning curve. I had my bouyancy down pat but am now having to relearn that. Yet I plan on using my wetsuit in the summer. I'm a "warm" guy and know I'll just get too hot. 55 degrees is just refreshing...

 

[WannaLaguna]

Hey all,

Im sure this has been discussed before but I'll ask anyways. Im from Florida and living in Seattle for the summer(long way from home). Ive got a couple sites picked out to try but I've never been in water colder than 70 degrees. Ive got a guide to take me on a cold water orientation dive but Im not sure if im going to be miserable in a 7mil and should go for dry.

thoughts? personal experience?

Devin

Hey Devin,

I don't live in the PNW but I did do most of my diving in the Great Lakes all year round in a 7mm with a hooded 7mm vest ( Bare Artic) My personal coldest dive was 36 degrees on a new years day dive in Lake Ontario for 24 minutes...when you have to use the palm of your right hand to inflate your BCD you know it's a tad too cold... Now, I wouldn't suggest you try that...that was "slightly" insane in retrospect...but hey the viz was awesome.

I personally like to go wet. I dive a Bare XCD2 tec dry as well but prefer my 7mm...call me crazy but I like to feel the water that I dive in...now that being said..there is something to be said about getting out of a 40 minute dive in 45 degree water and just unzipping out of a drysuit and stepping right into your vehicle.,,that does make you think..

There is a definite learning curve with the drysuit...buoyancy will be "off" for the first couple of dives and you'll have to get a handle on the shifting air in your suit...but once you get that down...you'll love a drysuit. Of course I don't have to tell you to use an instructor....

I guess the real answer comes down to personal preference. I like both.

dive safe & stay warm

Jeff