Exposure Suits in PA

[darylm74]

I am looking at buying an exposure suit to get some early April diving in at some place like Dutch Springs. I have to get a dive in (since I haven't been in over 2 years) before my cruise and worried my current arrangement to go back home to TN to dive might fall through (leaving me with no diving on the cruise). So with this strangling possibility, I am looking to purchase something to get my diving in closer to home and possibility with someone from the club so that I can get "member" status. So with that mouthful said here are my options.

I was thinking about a 6.5 mil jumpsuit with maybe an over-shorty and hood. This is by far the cheapest and most feasible route (as I just bought all new equipment). My other option is to go with something like the Bare NexGen or perhaps Mare's semi-dry. I just do not have any previous training with dry suits. How hard is it to get a quick instruction on this stuff? If I stick with the wetsuit, will it be decently warm enough by mid to late April?

(One last note, I have a new Aeris Atmos Sport Reg and a little worried now about it freezing up. It is environmentally sealed etc., but still a bit concerned....could you give me some opinions about this as well for April's water temps?)

Thanks

 

[FrankF]

I would have to say that the drysuit is going to be the way go. In April the water is still going to be pretty cold (45-50 degrees), so you'd probably end up freezing you tail off in a wetsuit. I really hate the cold, so I would never use a wet suit up here. Some of the other WV guys might make an argument for a wetsuit, though. I'm not 100% positive about the reg, but I think the water will be plenty warm enough. (Might be a good idea to get them serviced if it's been a while.)

The drysuit class can be done pretty quickly. It is one session in the pool and two OW dives. It's really not that hard to get the hang of it (IMHO) and you would have the advantage of doing these "refresher" dives with an instructor, as well. Even if you don't go this route, it is probably a good idea to get in a pool beforehand considering it has been two years.

As far as the purchase goes, do you envision yourself diving regularly in the Northeast? If you are going to do more diving locally it might make sense to invest in a drysuit, but if you just wanted to do a few dives in preparation for your trip you'd be better off renting.

All that said, does anyone know if they would offer some type of refresher dive on the cruise?

Frank

 

[jonnythan]

I agree with Frank. Either rent or buy the drysuit.

 

[darylm74]

I already have the refresher lined up. I start tomorrow night. It has actually been 9 years since I've been diving so I bought the updated version of the book I originally used and sought out more than just a basic refersher. I am actually attending 2 sessions of an ongoing OW class. It will give me 4 hours of class covering dive medicine and the tables and 4 hours of pool time. Past the refresher, I need a dive on the logbook to dive on my cruise. I worked out a weekend of diving with my original instructor back home in TN but considering the distance from PA back to TN and my work schedule (besides the cruise is already 9 days long), I wanted a back-up plan. That is why I am considering diving locally and will need the dry suit or heavier wetsuit.

As far as my gear (reg and bc and a 3mil for the cruise), it is brand new, never in the water. I bought used gear originally but is now unserviceable so I got new gear for my up and coming 30th. I do plan on diving a lot more and it seems the people who dive like to camp around here and I love to camp too, so it all goes together.

I digres....so it looks thus far that it will be the NexGen. I found a great deal on divesource.com for a complete set for like $647 that included boots, hood, gloves and undergarments.

......sorry I could write a book

 

[gerardnealon]

I would def go with a dry suit. When I bought my dry suit my first test dive was dutch springs and I think I hit a temp of 45 on the bottom. I was nice and toasty. Good luck with your refresher.

 

[jonnythan]

That's a good deal. Make sure your measurements match up. and go for it.

 

[Pugsly55]

I would def go with a dry suit. When I bought my dry suit my first test dive was dutch springs and I think I hit a temp of 45 on the bottom. I was nice and toasty. Good luck with your refresher.

I am in the middle of my dry suit cert (just completed pool session). The reports from divers around here about the year round bottom temps in the 40's and 50's was enough to "push" me into it. Now I just have to find a dive partner with experience in the waters around Lancaster since I have very limited experience in low vis/cold environments.

Anyway, go with a dry suit.