First Time Wetsuit Purchase... NEED HELP!!!!

[raypau38]

I am just getting into diving, and I have a trip that is planned for June in Fort Lauderdale and Bimini. The trip that I am going on has been organized through my school and they tell me that I need to get a wetsuit.

So, after doing some research I found that everyone's opinion in the matter is different. I am not a person that gets cold easy and I would rather be cold then hot, idk if that is the case with water or not though. I was looking at getting a Henderson Gold Core 3MM Full Jumpsuit or the 5MM. However, most people are trying to sell me on getting a 5MM Farmer John/Jane style suit. Personally, I think that is to much neoprene and I will not be able to move. The diving that I am going to be doing for the next year or so will be at school and that is in central Pennsylvania and the trip to Florida in the summer. I guess that the main problem that I have is that I don't know how warm a 3MM vs. a 5MM keeps you.

I have no idea what kind of a wetsuit that I should get and I need all the help that I can get. Please help.

 

[Bob3]

A 3mm 1-piece should be OK for FL & the Bahamas during winter (it is for me), but it'll be lacking up there in PA unless you want to stay above the thermoclines. Adding a hooded vest underneath will help a lot, but even a 5mm will be chilly after a day's full of diving in some of those spring fed lakes.
How do you feel about getting a couple different suits?

 

[Chivas]

Henderson is an excellent product. I use their Hyperstretch 5MM Step Through top and 3MM Farmer Johns. Hope that Santa will bring me a 3MM Step Through Top for our trip to Belize in January. I used just a 5MM top in Key Largo in Oct and was fine. The hooded vest was good advice. I'm from NY and Dive the 1000 Islands and although there is no thermocline I wouldn't leave home without it.

 

[showboat]

Skins would be better for Florida or Bimini when you come down here in June since the waters will be around 79-82 degrees even at 60-80Ft.

Henderson is a good recommendation, for here or bimini you do not need more then a 3mm suit during the summer, but if you go any thicker you will be very uncomfortable and hot.

:loopy:

 

[Garfish]

Hi fellow pennsylvanian:
I myself would buy a cheap skin for florida diving in the summer . Something not to expensive and invest in a least 5 mill good henderson goldcore wetsuit for typical pennsylvania diving summer climate.

Bob 3 is right that when you dive in spring fed quarries in the summertime the water temp would be in the middle 70's and when you hit the bottom below the thermocline ,it drops to the middle 50's. I experienced same.
I have a 5 mill scubapro with a over lay shortie that i use sometimes for such situations.

You could go that route.
Hope this helps.....Sam

 

[dc4bs]

I dive Dutch Srings in PA in a 7/5 goldcore Henderson and dive a dry-suit in the fall/winter.

Just dove the 7/5 off Ft Lauderdale 2 weeks ago and was very comfortable at 250 fsw and maybe just a bit warm at the end of deco near the surface. Just pulling off the "tropical" hood & gloves (no neoprene) and sticking them in my pocket took care of that.

For diving off Florida only in "rec" limits and going in summer, I'd go with a thin wetsuit or shortie.

I have a Henderson Microprene wetsuit (almost a skin but with a tiny bit of neoprene) for Cayman island, Florida summer diving. I *CAN* comfortably dive just a tshirt and bathing suit but after 4-5 days of 2-4 dives a day, I start getting cold by the end, even in the warm water... The Microprene makes that issue go away and is very easy to pack since it rolls up to take no more room than a heavy sweatshirt in the bag.

 

[standrod]

The water temps in South Florida can be cold in the summer. We get alot of upwellings and the temp can drop significantly. I think the hendersom 3mm would be a good choice but i'd also invest in a hood in case the temp does drop.

 

[crispos]

Raypau, IMHO (in my humble opinion)

A cold diver is a potentially dangerous/unsafe diver/buddy
Don't make the mistake of having one suit try to do two jobs in two different environments. You'll be too hot in Florida OR too cold in PA. Both dangerous.

Think about stinging animals such as jellyfish in FLA as well as sharp objects in PA quarries and sunburn potential in both areas, and choose steamers - shorties are for tanned people that really know the waters they are diving

Since you mention the Gold Core high end suit, I assume you are not on a student budget SO buy 2 suits but don't get super expensive ones with the fancy advertising OR consider a rental for Florida

Remember that a hood and gloves can help alot to improve performance of a 5 mm in cold water

Have fun!

 

[SPenn]

I dive a henderson 5m hyperstrech w/a goldcore vest hood set here in North FL. water temp. was 55 yesterday. I need a little more!

 

[JRScuba]

I dive in the Ft. Lauderdale area and this is what I wear. A) from late April to early December a Scubapro .5mm full suit. The reason is to protect my skin from abrasions, etc. B) From December to early April I wear the Scubapro .5mm under an Oceanic 3mm, which keeps me warm the whole season.
Obviously everyone is different and will dress according to the how they tolerate the temperature of the water. I'm from the north and recommend the above, this was recommended to me by my LDS when I got certified and works well for me.. When diving in Pennsylvania, you will have to make that dertermination yourself. Also, everyone has their own opinions about manufacturers. Just like they do about cars.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me.