exposure suit help

[hantzu701]

I've gone through the archives to look for advice about exposure suits. There is a lot of discussion in reference to specific issues, but the discussion isn't very useful to newbie divers like myself.

Regardless of the solution, I just want to keep warm. I dive in 60x60 (60 degree water at 60 ft). My 7mm w/ hood, gloves isn't doing it for me.

I am thinking of buying a shell dry suit, but am a little intimidated by the expense and the issue of training. Is there a primer that I've missed?

I have two main issues:

First, it seems that everyone has an opinion of what is the best way to keep warm. Given that everyone has different tolerances to cold, this isn't surprising. And, everyone uses the drysuit in different ways. But, I'd like to know what the agreed benchmark product for a drysuit is.

And once I buy the dry suit, I guess there is the issue of training and maintenance. If I want to get dry suit training via my LDS, then I'm somewhat obligated to buy the dry suit that they offer - which they claim is the "best" on the market. They only carry one line. Personally, I'd like to buy the dry suit that works me, not for them. And like the rest of your equipment, how do you maintain it after you've bought it.

 

[saturated]

Sounds like a shell would be good investment. There are alot of good suits out there and many of them are very affordable. You didnt metion the brand your LDS sells but I would definately do alot of research as it is a significant investment. I have a whites catalyst which I think is a great suit, a bud of mine has a bare and another a DUI and we are all happy with them. Basically it boils down to personal choice and available funds. Care and maitenace is pretty straight forward and not time consuming so that shouldnt be a determining factor in your decision. Do some research and post your options. There are some people with far more intelegence than me on the subject here and they wont steer you wrong.....good luck

 

[spurtill]

It should be possible to still get a dry suit primer course in your area even if you do not buy the suit from your LDS.

What dry suit to buy is a matter of choice but any of the known brands are good suits. I use a Gates VSN1100 (they are now know as Hunter).

Maintenace is necessary but handy enough. There is the hassle (if you do it yourself) or expense (if your LDS does it) or replacing seals when they go.

Depending on the type of dry suit get get you may need to buy an undersuit with it.

Before you go spending huge amounts on dry suits. Is your semi dry too big for you?? have you tried putting T-shirts on under it? or thought about a thicker wet suit, I am fairly sure you can get suits thicker than 7mm, and if njot there are plenty of under layers specifically for what you are talking about.

I know guys diving 35m in 7C (dunno what that is in F) accross the winter, they are cold but just stick a pair of T sirts on and away they go.

 

[diverlady]

Wow, and I thought I got cold easily. I was using a 5/4 jumpsuit and 6/5mil hooded sleeveless shorty last weekend in 57F water for over an hour and was fine.

Is your current wetsuit a one piece or two piece? If it's a one piece, you could get a vest to go over it or a sleeveless shorty to add warmth. If you have a bit of extra room in it, you could try a shorty under it. Perhaps a different style of wetsuit would work better. I currently have a one piece but find the 2 piece styles (farmer john and jacket) to be warmer for me.

Otherwise a drysuit might be the ticket. Shell suits don't provide much (if any) warm alone. You need the underwear to provide the insulation but neoprene drysuits have some warmth value to them as well as allowing you to add layers underneath.

Diverlady