Exposure suits in SoCal

[SharkDZ]

For those that dive year round, is a 7mm suit standard, or can you get away with a 3mm during the summer?

 

[dpbishop]

3 mil work work for some people above the thermocline, below it most everyone needs at least 5

 

[Night Diver]

7mm is standard. You could try to dive on occasion with a 3mm but you're talking about a couple of high-summer weeks, shallow depths, inshore locations etc. And even then you'd probably be cold.

I'm not saying some hardy souls can't or don't. Just that a 7mm is standard for wetsuits.

 

[TekDiveGirl]

Go with the 7mm or a drysuit --

 

[headhunter]

I would not dive with less than a 7mm.

Christian

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I have recently switched to a dry suit. Before that it was thick neoprene. But I will be honest; several years ago during an "El Niño" weather event I was comfortable in my 5mm, heck I even did a couple of shallow dives in a Polartec full suit with a polartec vest and hood. It was August 1997 and the water was 71 degrees at the surface and 68 degrees at 83 feet in the underwater park at Casino Point. Of course those conditions were abnormal, now I would expect it to be into the 40's below the thermocline.

Under normal year round conditions either a thick neoprene wet suit or a dry suit would be appropriate.

Mark Vlahos

 

[Code Monkey]

For me and mine: 7mm in summer, wishing I had a dry suit so I could dive in the other 3 seasons.

 

[Mo2vation]

If you're normal, a 7mm or drysuit.

If you're DrB - any old shortie (preferably well ventilated and yellow) will do.




---
Ken

 

[MissyP]

If you're normal, a 7mm or drysuit.

If you're DrB - any old shortie (preferably well ventilated and yellow) will do.



Ken

hey, cut him some slack... He finally got a new wetsuit... of course he didn't have a choice since his other one practically fell apart.. heh!

For the OP, I vote for getting a drysuit !

 

[Rickster]

7mm or drysuit here.