Question Florida folks: What's your cold threshold?

[tekkydiver]

Just curious what everyone's cold threshold is as we start getting warmer in South Florida. I ask because I got certified in November and have right at 50 dives since then and I've only used a 3mm shorty. Last weekend in Dania Beach, water temp was 74 and the coldest I've logged since November is 71. I'm almost at the point to go in board shorts and a rash guard when temp is 77 or so.

Wondering what other's feel is suit free? I know north Floridan cave folks will always be in a wet suit...Or...are you?

Once it gets below 80, I'm in a 3mm. Keeps me plenty warm down to 75 deg.... After that initial jolt on entry

 

[thomschoon]

I dive the Springs in 3mm, Deerfield in shorts or 3mm, I am looking for a 5mm for some 60 degree water , but use my dry suit for everything else.

 

[heftysmurf]

Well -- about to see how a 5.5mil does in 50-something water here come Saturday. After that it's time for my dry suit cert!

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

81 first dive today in the keys. I got chilled so added my sharkskin vest to the 1mm zippered jacket for the second dive. Slightly warmer at 82.
Time to dust off the 3mm.

 

[grf88]

Cold tolerance varies greatly and can be impacted by the climate you live in. I was in Cozumel one winter happily diving in a t-shirt and shorts but another couple from Texas were in 5mm suit with hood and gloves and were complaining about the cold during the surface interval while I was hot.

 

[Belzelbub]

Cold tolerance varies greatly and can be impacted by the climate you live in. I was in Cozumel one winter happily diving in a t-shirt and shorts but another couple from Texas were in 5mm suit with hood and gloves and were complaining about the cold during the surface interval while I was hot.

True, but it doesn’t always match. I’m fairly cold tolerant despite living in Florida all my life. I usually only use a thin 3/2, if a wetsuit is needed. Occasionally, I’ll add a Rashguard with a 1mm vest. My level of activity makes more of a difference than water temp.

Coldest I’ve been was in a 72 degree FL spring. I was just watching my daughter’s checkout dive most of the time. I was freezing. I’ve (previously and since) worn that same wetsuit in water 8-10 degrees colder and was fine.

 

[MrChen]

The length of the dive matters as well. I could do t-shirt and shorts for 50 min, but when doing shallower dives for 2-3 times as long, I need more thermal gear.

 

[gmerick]

Diving St Croix, 82 degree water. For 6 pak boat dive, shorts - if needed add a full body skin for UV protection. On shore dives, I prefer longer duration (2.5-4 hr), and I'll wear 3/2 shorty. On all dives I wear an orange/solas 1mm hood. I could go without the shorty, it's too warm for surface swims. I can dive longer / use less air when I'm "just right" for warmth. Something to do with burning calories for heat.

 

[Doc Harry]

One winter I showed up in the Keys with a drysuit. Everyone laughed at me.

Almost everyone came up from the first dive shivering, and almost everyone sat out the second dive because they were too cold.

I was warm and happy the entire time.

If the water temp is below 75 degrees F, I'm dry.

 

[Wheeler925]

One winter I showed up in the Keys with a drysuit. Everyone laughed at me.

Almost everyone came up from the first dive shivering, and almost everyone sat out the second dive because they were too cold.

I was warm and happy the entire time.

If the water temp is below 75 degrees F, I'm dry.

While I support your decision, man 75 is downright comfortable!