Exposure Suit Thickness

[1dondino]

I am looking to purchase my first wet suit for my BOW dives in San Carlos the middle of March. From what I have read, the water temperature should be about 67 degrees. The LDS has suggested a 7 mil wet suit for the dive. I plan to do some California diving soon after, and hope the wetsuit should be warm enough. Would 7 mil be too much for 67 degrees? I am on the "large" size and was recommended a 3X for size (and not for height). Where would be a good place to start, and should I consider a custom fit at this stage in the game. Thanks for the help.
Don

 

[Warren_L]

I've worn 7mm down to the low 40s without too many issues, but it might be a bit warm for 67, but I suspect will be fine. A 5mm might be sufficient, but a lot also depends on your length of dives as well.

 

[Bob3]

... Would 7 mil be too much for 67 degrees? Where would be a good place to start, and should I consider a custom fit at this stage in the game. ...

Nope, a 7 mm suit sounds about right for that temp. You might even want to consider adding a hooded vest underneath if you're going to be doing more than 1 dive in the day.
You may or may not need a custom cut; by all means try on some 3XLs & go from there, suits that size are fairly common, not to mention an off the rack will be way cheaper than custom cut.
What larger cities are located near you, & do you get into So CA much?

 

[SCUBACrazy]

wholeheartedly! I live and dive in San Diego and after diving a 7mm wetsuit with hooded vest combo I have opted to go semi-dry for more comfort.

While I am difinitely impressed with warren_l's toughness and seeming imperviousness to the elements , I must admit I am a bit more sissified and will not dive wet (even with a hooded vest) in anything below about 54F. After about 40 minutes in the low 50's I get REALLY cold and tend to begin whimpering into my second stage.

Stay as warm as possible! Even if you get hot it's better than being cold and not being able to conduct multiple dives.

Enjoy. Dive On!

 

[archman]

I wear a 6.5mm in a local spring that stays a constant 71F. Most everyone else wears 3mm. After about forty five minutes or so the cold starts getting to the 3mm folks. I don't even notice.

 

[Warren_L]

I wear a 6.5mm in a local spring that stays a constant 71F. Most everyone else wears 3mm. After about forty five minutes or so the cold starts getting to the 3mm folks. I don't even notice.

That would depend on each individual. I dove our local quarry a few times this summer. Water temps around 69-72F. No exposure protection. Just me shorts. 1 hr. 15 min. No problem.

 

[archman]

That would depend on each individual. I dove our local quarry a few times this summer. Water temps around 69-72F. No exposure protection. Just me shorts. 1 hr. 15 min. No problem.

You also have a penguin as your avatar!

********
Here's a handy guide I ripped off from a scuba wetsuit manufacturer's site. It is important to note the differences in recommended thermal protection between exposure suits for scuba divers vs. those for surfers. Surfers are more active and generate more internal heat; this biases towards a thinner suit than what a diver would wear.

A. >85F. minimal/no protection.

B. 80-85F. dive "skins" and lightweight suits up to 2mm.

C. 75-80F. full wetsuits 2-3mm.

D. 70-75F. full wetsuits 3-5mm. layers & accessories (gloves, hood) for longer dives.

E. 55-70F. full wetsuits 6.5-7mm, with layers and accessories.

F. 40-55F. full 7mm wetsuits (short duration only). Drysuits for prolonged dives.

 

[MsParamedic]

Looks like you have gotten some great advice on thickness, now for size---

My suggestion would be to go with a Henderson Hyperstretch or a custom. My s/o is a "husky diver" and went with a Henderson. It is easier to get on and off than the traditional neoprene. When I purchased my wetsuit, I went with a custom from Liquid Fit (www.liquidfit.com). The prices are comparable....but you can get far more color choices from Carolyn at Liquid Fit.

 

[Warren_L]

You also have a penguin as your avatar!

Lol, you got me there! Mind you, those were just single dives on hot sunny days. No frosty surface intervals to contend with, which I find to be the coldest part of diving in general. But for single dives, no worries.

After having dove last week in the frosty waters of Lake Simcoe here in Ontario (water temps were around 36F), I'm here in SoCal. Meeting up with Mo2vation tomorrow for a dive at Catalina. I nearly fell off my chair when he told me temps were in the high 50s. Man, that's down-right tropical!

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I will also dive in just a pair of shorts and maybe a t-shirt in 70 degree water on those hot August days. An hour to an hour and a half in the water is not normally a problem if I am active. Although I have to admit that not sweating in the hundred degree heat for the next couple hours after the dive is a good indicator that I am losing some core temp during the dive. (Staying cool in the heat is however one of the planned side effects.)

A 7mm is a good choice in mid 60 degree water. They start to get a little warm as water temp approches the mid 70's. Wearing a hood will keep you warmer in colder temps and leaving the hood on the boat is a good solution for staying comfortable in warmer water, as is unzipping the suit a bit or pumping a little water down the neck now and then if you are feeling too warm.