getting cold

[M_B]

Hello,

We just got back from 2 weeks diving on Cozumel and first my better half started freezing cause of the constant winds ( between the dives ). Also it was pretty chilly in the water - we were hitting thermoline ( ~23C ) pretty often.

So this expirience got me thinking : how can i keep my body temp. and warm up faster between surface interval even with winds blowing.
I spoke with DM - he recommended truWest's parkas. I also being reading about skins.

Questions are :
1. Am i looking in the right direction or overlooking smth?
2. what parkas ( what else ) would you recommend ?
3. what skins ( what else ) would you recommend ?
thank you.

 

[alcina]

I always dive in my polartec hooded vest. I get cold easily and this one garment has made all the difference. I also have two suits (poloartec again) and two of those vests so I always have a dry (or mostly dry) set to put on...this was like a lightening bolt and I wouldn't go back now! A dry suit for multi dives has extended dramatically how comfy I stay on repetitive dives. These vests/suits are also wind resistant so even when I leave one on while we move sites I'm pretty OK.

Back on the boat it is a rare day that I do not take a jacket - and this is even on daytime temps in the mid 30s C. My favourite jacket is about 1.5 sizes too big so it doesn't stick to me when I am wet & it wraps around to keep me cozy. It has polarfleece lining the torso and a zip up the front. Shell is wind/rain proof. Wet and wind can really make SI lousy - but I am a happy, if somewhat strange looking, camper .

When daytime temps drop to around 28C or lower, I almost always have a ski cap on my head.

So for me three main things
- ski cap
- comfy jacket
- two suits/sets

 

[spectrum]

My favourite jacket is about 1.5 sizes too big so it doesn't stick to me when I am wet & it wraps around to keep me cozy. It has polarfleece lining the torso and a zip up the front. Shell is wind/rain proof.

Are these dive parka's really anyhting special? It dosen't sound like the inside lining is any special water proof material. Right now stores are having winter clearance (Maine, USA) and nice sturdy parkas are going real cheap, should we snap a few up, say one size bigger than we need to wear with a sweater? They will get a bit crusty with salt I suppose but that's what the washing machine is for.

BTW amen on the hooded vests!

Pete

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Wet suits are essentially swamp coolers when wet and exposed to air on the surface so, particularly in the wind, you need to get out of the suit as soon as possible after the dive and get into something warm and windproof.

Alternatively you need to cover the suit with something to prevent the heat loss that occurs as the water in the nylon of the suit evaporates. A full lenght parka or overcoat works by sheltering the suit from the wind during the surface interval but then so does a waterproof rain suit. In situations where removing the suit is not practical, where the boat ride is very wet or where the surface interval is relatively short, I use a nylon rain jacket and rain pants over my wet suit (and neoprene dry suit) during surface intervals.

 

[down4fun]

To me a hooded parka makes a huge difference. The one i have has a nylon shell with a fleece lining so it is warm even when wet. I also take a beanie, it gives me double protection on my head. Even here in Florida the wind in the winter can make an SI pretty miserable. The parka is a great solution. I put it right over my wetsuit, otherwise the wetsuit is too cold to put back on for the next dive. Last weekend it was actually warmer in the water than the surface because of the wind. It is definintely one of the best investments I have made in dive gear.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I shed the top of the wetsuit and let it hang below my waist inside out and I wear a t-shirt, old army jacket, and a hat. Sometimes the suit is a little cold putting back on, but my top half gets dry during the SI. On longer SIs it usually almost dries completely, but you need to leave the arms inside out for this to happen.

 

[Corigan]

I put an extremely large sweatsuit over the wetsuit sometimes. I also find chammyz work great. Dumping hot water down your wetsuit during SI's will help some too if it is available.

Matt

 

[Gwyl]

I have never dove in waters warmer than 68 degrees! Typical for me has been 48-54 degrees. I have a 7 MM wetsuit with hood and gloves. I have two suits so I change during the surface interval if the tempt was real cold. Otherwise, I strip off the top and wear a sweatshirt/thick jacket between dives. Once I am back int he water, then I am fine again.

Of course, if you are between dive and wearing the wetsuit .. the old stand-by to warm up quickly ... hphm .. perhaps I should not say in mixed company. Let's just say, you could release your warming fluids and will soon find yourself nice and cozy. Of coursem you might want to take extra care when washing yoru equipment ;-)

 

[hardhat]

Maybe it's just time to think about the most obvious solution, a drysuit, maybe?Then you won't have to worry about the surfice intervals being cold, or anything like that. Living in NJ is plenty cold enough to consider owning a drysuit.

 

[M_B]

All diving is in warm tropical waters .. For now