DiveMe:
We'll be on the Nekton Pilot in December for our first liveaboard experience in Belize. We have 3mm full suits, and intend to wear those while diving, however, having never done a liveaboard, I'm wondering if that will be enough. Should we consider buying a couple of 3mm core warmers to put over our full suits or will 3mm be enough.
We're fairly cold tolerant, typically being comfortable in 72-74 degree water in our 3mm suits, but we've never dove more than two tanks for 2-3 days a row.
TIA
Well thought question and all good responses.
Many such posts simply ask: "Gee, what kind of protection will I need in the Caribbean for December?" There is no answer to such a question.
You have explained your prior tolerance to cold as analyzed from experience and logging. Until one has that, there is absolutely no answer to this question.
You also show careful thought and research when you bring into the equation not only the factor of multi-day repetetive dives, but also that you will be on a liveaboard.
Repetitive dives have been shown to lower the body core temperature. Not by much, but then again- it doesn't take much! Your body burns a lot of fuel trying to adjust for these seemingly minor changes and fluctuations. (Oh, so that's why I eat like a pig when I'm diving!?!)
Your surface interval, the time your body has to recover from these exposures is an under-rated factor of really great impact. Ideally you would snooze in a warm sensory deprivation tank, floating in highly saline water, no pressure points on your body, perfect temperature, snoozing.... oops... back to the realities of a liveaboard.
So, at least, on a live aboard, your not retunring from a night dive in an open boat, crashing through the waves (like peterbj7 was mentioning). Ahh- the luxury!
Most liveaboards act like boats. They pitch, roll and yaw. The Nekton is very different. In heavy seas, the Nekton boats have a gentle rythmic slow lurch, not unlike a very large sailboat. In calm seas they has no perceptable motion. ("She's a slow ship, but she's ugly", sayeth the Chris, longtime Nektonite, and also calling her "The slowest moving Condo in the Caribbean") .
This Nekton feature is a big factor in improving your interval recovery. Your body, even when asleep, is taking steps to minimalize the effects of a rocking ship. If it isn't rocking- you're that much further ahead.
Air Conditioning is another big help. If you get under the covers and breathe the cooled air while you sleep in comfort... much better than fitful sleep while sweating in a moist, hot & humid bunk.
The sun deck's "hot" tub is also a big help. They keep the operating temp safely low, but it will bring your body tem back very quickly. I have been on some liveaboards that allow the hot tub temp to be in the thermometer range that you would find at a health club... for divers- a very bad thing. Nekton is just a warming bath.
Add to that all the food they will force you to eat, apres dive snacks, etc.
On this ship, the effects that you are concerned about will be minimal as compared to any other commercial live aboard.
DiveMe... with your fairly good resistance to chill, I would agree with the advice you have already been given... take a thin skin and definitely, and getchersef a beenie! Look at the coolest ones ever at
http://www.terrapinwetsuits.com/accessor.htm#hoods We came up with suitably whacky ideas, "Herself" got one that looks like a Tuxedo Cat with whiskers and tail! Beenies can be high chic!
Wetsuits? Best I've ever used:
http://wetwear.com/ with full arm/leg zipper panels.
You'll be fine!
