Greeting and Salutations to all you Dive Gurus!

[mtnpool]

Hello Everyone!

My first time posting, but have avidly read hundreds of pages of great info from everyone here over the years. You guys are responsible for getting me obsessed with gear and endlessly researching every purchase and diving decision I make for countless hours and days - THANK YOU!!! Really, it's wonderful to know what a close knit group divers are, and how amazingly friendly and helpful people can be in this great sport. I got started diving about 3 years ago with my then girlfriend. We did our OW in the city at Rockaway beach. Went to Great Barrier Reef for my first real dives - on a liveaboard, no less! Bought all my major equipment even before finishing OW tests - picked some great gear (Apeks, Seaquest, Uwatec...) thanks to this board.
Have done about 40 dives to date, only in warm water (other than the OW dives)
Now leaving (this Thursday) for a trip to Jordan to see Petra (remember Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?), camp in the desert of Wadi Rum (Lawrence of Arabia) float in the Dead Sea...
also plan to end the trip in Aqaba - diving on the Jordan side of the Red Sea.

Just one question at this point, I've been told water temps there will be about 20 C or 70 F. The dive ops there have told me they're wearing 5mm this time of year. I currently only own a skin and a 2.5 mm fullsuit - which has kept me comfortable everywhere I've dove in GBR and the Caribbean. Even dove without any suit while in Grand Cayman this June.

Question is - currently trying to decide between a Bare Velocity 5/4mm fullsuit or getting a Henderson 3mm Gold Core Vest to wear over the 2.5mm suit? I can afford it, just hate to spend money on something that I'll hardly ever use. Figure mostly will dive in warm waters like Caribbean and South Pacific. Just can't decide - what do you guys think? Please help convince me that I'll be using that 5mm in some other great dive sites!

 

[alcina]

Howdy! Great to see such enthusiasm!!

A 5mm suit should be fine for most people up to about 25C - you can always let a little water in if you get warm. YMMV.

If you have questions of using it in a particular area, you might like to ask in the forum section for that area - scroll down on the main list and you'll find forums for everywhere! That way the locals and those who visit regularly can offer their advice!

Have a great time!

 

[mtnpool]

Howdy! Great to see such enthusiasm!!

A 5mm suit should be fine for most people up to about 25C - you can always let a little water in if you get warm. YMMV.

If you have questions of using it in a particular area, you might like to ask in the forum section for that area - scroll down on the main list and you'll find forums for everywhere! That way the locals and those who visit regularly can offer their advice!

Have a great time!

Thanks Alcina!

I see you're in western Australia -(have a fond place in my heart for Australia- my first real diving experiences) - I guess you must have swam with a lot of whale sharks by now! By the way, what's the difference between "reply" and "q-reply" when replying to a post?

 

[alcina]

Ummm...I think the main reply button, outside of the post box, brings up another screen and lets you attach etc. The q reply just lets you add your comment in a new post.

The reply button in the post's box quotes that post. It is improper to quote an entire post (usually) so you simply hit that reply button and delete the bits that are unnecessary.

HTH

BTW - love those whale sharks

 

[mtnpool]

Thanks, El Orans,

Love your avatar - great movie - I'm going to see where Lawrence of Arabia was made this week!

 

[mtnpool]

Got it! I just checked out your trip reports - they're awesome! That Ningaloo Reef trip sounds absolutely amazing - I can't wait to go there someday! When I have more time, I'm going to look at all the galleries and daydream about being in the water again - puts me in a trance everytime! When I have time I'll upload some pics also - although I don't have that many my equipment is very basic. Thanks again!

 

[Matt the Aquaman]

:mostlysun Hello there mtnpool, my name is Matt and I wanted to welcome you to the community. I think it’s the best board on the internet for divers. The people on here make it a really friendly place. It’s a great place to see what’s going on with divers. Just wanted to make you feel welcome! If you’d like to chat, please PM me.
Take care. :butnhome:

Click here to greet a new member! :happywave
No experience needed and it feels great!​

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

And welcome to SB - the biggest, the best, the fastest growing, and the friendliest!

Get the 5 mil long, as you'll find it more useful for 2 reasons - as you travel to other locales with cooler water than you're used to, and - as you become a better diver in the same waters, you'll find that you'll burn less air and chill more easily. For 70F, I'd also suggest a beanie for the diving and a cap for the surface intervals. Once the body core temp starts slipping and chill sets in, it's difficult to fight. Also increases your risk for DCS.

I guess you already know your way around, but - PM me if I can help; that is - click my username to the upper left, then follow the prompts to send me a "Personal Message."

don

 

[Scott Riemer]

Hello mtnpool and welcome to Scubaboard.

 

[mtnpool]

Thanks Matt,

This is a great board! Wealth of information and humor!