Last month I was diving off of Islamorada in a 3mm wetsuit. I was roasting in it when on board and ready to jump overboard and comfortable with it in the water. On one of the reefs at about 60 feet we hit a thermocline where the temp dropped a bit. It felt real good. When we swam out of the thermocline it was like stepping into a hot shower. I have a half mm full suit that I want to take with me on my next dives Sunday. Whatayouthink? Too thin or what? Also I noticed that the Boca Raton beach is empty because of jellies. Wonder how far south this problem goes?
half mm
- Thread starter Garrobo
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Volume311
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You might be good, might be cold. Try it and see how it is. I dove Captn. Dan wreck on labor day in board shorts and a rash guard. 110' to the sand with a nice thermocline. I think there was a second one because once I got below 90' the water felt like it was in mid 70's
I was freediving dania beach yesterday and was surrounded by jellies the whole time.
I was freediving dania beach yesterday and was surrounded by jellies the whole time.
sharky60
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What are the water temps?
I use a .5 mil when diving in Cozumel every year (usually in april-may, with water temps in the upper 70's to 80). somedays I may wear a short sleeved surfing rash shirt under it to help keep my core warm.
I use a .5 mil when diving in Cozumel every year (usually in april-may, with water temps in the upper 70's to 80). somedays I may wear a short sleeved surfing rash shirt under it to help keep my core warm.
sharky60: I checked and the suface water temp is 86 degrees. I went back and checked last month's dives and the surface temp was about the same. The down temps were in the high seventies. A few of the divers on the boat were using skins or nothing but trunks and didn't complain.
Charlie99
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Even in humid Florida, wetting down the wetsuit before donning it makes it more comfortable on days when topside is hot and sunny.Garronbo:
Richesb
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I live here in the Keys year round.
#1 There are jellyfish everywhere in the Keys right now.
#2 I personally dive in a 3/2MM full suit all summer here (am very comfortable). My girlfriend dives in a 1/2MM full suit all summer. Neither of us get cold or hot. But we dive in deeper water (75 - 130ft) and always have thermocline. Yes I am warm on the boat, but not under water. I also should say we are either guiding or spearfishing whenever we are in the water.
#1 There are jellyfish everywhere in the Keys right now.
#2 I personally dive in a 3/2MM full suit all summer here (am very comfortable). My girlfriend dives in a 1/2MM full suit all summer. Neither of us get cold or hot. But we dive in deeper water (75 - 130ft) and always have thermocline. Yes I am warm on the boat, but not under water. I also should say we are either guiding or spearfishing whenever we are in the water.
True, you may be taking surface overheating down with you on the dive.
On one dive here in Maine this summer on a hot summer day I was a full 20 minutes into the dive in water the the upper 50s F before I stopped feeling hot. This was in spite of a swift and smooth entry and pouring quenching water down my suit as I geared up. In warm water I'm sure the overheated state would be prolonged. Just a thought.
Pete
Charlie99: I always slop my wetsuit around in either the cleaning tank or in the water before we leave the dock. I put it on when about five minutes away from our destination. It's cool for the first couple of minutes but by the time I get the tanks and stuff on I'm cooking. It's a relief to jump in and cool off. I pull open the neck and let some water in right away and sometimes when I am down where the water is cooler. I guess it's because I'm a northerner (Yankee to y'all).
Update: Just got back from Islamorada. Used the half mm suit the first day and it worked out just fine. Second day I dove without a wetsuit. It was great. Also did a night dive without the suit. Third day with it. It was pretty tight on the arms and lower legs. I think I'm going to cut the arms off and below the knees.
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