Exposure protection?

[grazie42]

Hi all,
I´ll be travelling from Sweden to Florida for some "serious" diving. My question is, what kind of exposure protection do you need? Also, is there a thermocline that I might need to take into consideration?

I´ll be doing a wreckcourse and a rec trimix course if that helps you get some idea...

I´ll be diving from june 10th to 16th...

 

[scubadiverjunkie]

Around that time the water should be rather warm - In the summer I was diving .5mm full or 3mm full and that seemed to be fine - Usually at depths from 50' to 100'. Diving deeper I would probably suggest a 3mm and that should provide adequate protection and warmth during the summer months. Winter months I used a 5/4mm that was perfect for the cooler temps.

 

[Scubaguy62]

That's about the size of it. A 3mm is a good choice for year round diving in So. Fla. If the water is above 84F, a 1mm is perfect. In the wintermonths, I might use a 2mm vest with a beanie hood, or if the water is below 69F, a 3mm shorty on top...

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Today in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area, surface temp is now 81. I wore skins last weekend, however I did not go very deep. I would guess a 3mm should be suffice. What part of Florida are you travelling to? If you are diving anywhere other than southeast Florida, its gonna be a bit cooler.

If in S. Florida on the 12th, join us for the reef sweep...loads of fun....

 

[Scubasw]

Just got back from Key Largo Last week. Water temp was 80 top to bottom. I and my son both dove 3mm shorties for 4 days of diving and were very comfortable. However we are Maryland Quarry divers and usually dive in 40 degree water with drysuits, so anything above 70 is warm to us.

 

[grazie42]

Scubasw...I´m from Sweden, temps during winter months are between 30 & 40 F here...we usually start diving wet around 50F (7mm wetsuits).

Thanks for the good advice, I´ll propably bring a 5mm, that being the thinnest I can get hold of...

Scuba Jenny: I will be stayin in Miami and though I´m taking courses thru most of the week it would be nice to do a few "fun" dives as well. What, where, when and how do I get in on the reef sweep? (Feel free to PM me with the info)

 

[grazie42]

ScubaJenny I just saw the other thread and asked the question there...feel free to pm me with the info anyway as I´m not sure about what kinda replies I´ll get on that other thread...

Thanks for bringing the sweep to my attention!

 

[MikeJacobs]

SNIP...Thanks for the good advice, I´ll propably bring a 5mm, that being the thinnest I can get hold of...

Depending on your tolerance to HEAT that may be too warm. Perhaps planning on spending $40 on a cheap pair of skins would be a good investment for the shallow dives. Skins are a good idea to avoid nasty cuts and fire coral.