Have the Wetsuit for pool classes, or not?

[mallbritton]

Thanks for the advice everyone. It is pretty much the same I got from the folks at the dive shop. I guess I should have mentioned that since my desire, for the immediate future, is to dive in tropical waters I'll be getting a full 3mm suit (based on advice I got on this board).

I had not thought about getting cold in the pool but that is a very good point. I'm taking my classes over one weekend, so 16 hours over two days. I could get chilled even in a heated pool. I've got to remember that about losing body heat no matter the temperature of the water. I'm still a noob.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Regards,
Michael

 

[emoreira]

When I did my pool classes, and also going regularly to the same pool for practice, we were only using swim suit and the rest naked.
The water temperature is always kept at 31 degrees Celcius (88 °F) and even in the cold winter, we were not cold.
The instructor use to use a 3 mm jacket, as they are most of the time standing quiet in the water.

 

[lsorenson]

I knew I was going to dig diving after I snorkeled the Galapagos...! That said; We already had all of the snorkeling gear from the trip and the wife had a full 3mm and I had a 3/2 shorty. So, it was really no added cost to me and the wife with we started diving other than the cost of the class (X2 for me... expensive sport when your wife dives also!)

Unless you know without a doubt your really going to enjoy this sport you may want to rent (or borrow) a wetsuit from your LDS while training IF you need one... There may be a requirement for a wetsuit for pool work but I find that hard to believe.

I would advise you to finish your pool work so you know its what you want to do... Then get yourself what you would really need for your enviroment, e.g. you may need a 5mm so why buy a 3mm or you may need a 3/2 shorty...! Don't rush to buy stuff or you will be like a lot of folks using a item once or twice then selling it for half price!

If your LDS is anything like mine was, pool was every Monday and Wednesday for classes. If you took your lessons from them then pool time and air was free! Practice all you want...!

I hope you will enjoy it as much as we do!

lee

 

[Michael Kazma]

If there is a chance of over heating in a wetsuit in a pool (this depends on location etc.) then you should not wear it. However, if it is safe to do so then you definitely should. Not only will you be more comfortable with the equipment when it comes to the OW dives but it gives you a chance to get properly weighted, which you do not want to do in the ocean if you can in a pool (dont forget you will need a little more in the saltwater compared to the freshwater pool).

 

[mallbritton]

I picked up a 3mm full wetsuit yesterday after the orientation class. I was talking to the guys at the dive shop again and they made me kind of nervous about using rented wetsuits after all their jokes about "two kinds of divers."

I know this suit will be appropriate for warm tropical waters and if I find myself diving more off NorCal I'll end up buying something thicker for that. It's a start!

Regards,
Michael

 

[tracydr]

Hello, everyone. I'm staring to gear up for my pool classes, which I'm taking next month. I've got the student kit, and have purchased fins, mask, snorkel and boots.

I am going to buy my own wetsuit but wanted to know what everyone thought about me having it already for the pool classes. The helpful folks at the dive shop neither discouraged or encouraged me when I asked the question but did say it might be helpful for me to start getting used to one.

Thoughts?

Regards,
Michael

Is the pool outdoors? Heated?
I've been tempted to bring my 3ml to the gym in the winter because the pool is so darn cold it hurts.
Ask what the temp is and dress accordingly. 72-79 or so I would wear a 3ml but you need to buy heavier stuff for your open water. You'll always find the lighter suit useful for traveling to warm places. I picked up one on sale recently for 39$.
I wear it in the pool because you're going to do a lot of slow or inactive stuff and get chilled. I'd wear it even over 80.

 

[The Chairman]

Train in the gear you will be using. You have a lot to learn and changing too much from pool to OW is not a good idea.

 

[Kajwkfg]

My fiance wasn't sure about whether he'll need a full or shorty wetsuit for our upcoming Belize trip but based on recommendations from other divers, he went for the 3/2 mm full suit. He plans on using it in the pool sessions to get a feel for whether that will be too hot for him as the pool temps will likely be close to the water temps of Belize. I thought that was good advice worth sharing...

mallbritton - sounds like you'll be doing a similar kind of trip to places with 'pool temp' waters so its a good opportunity to test out your gear and learn what works with respect to temp managment in a controlled setting. I'm planning on doing the same!

 

[fjpatrum]

I get cold easily, so I wore a long-sleeve shorty for my pool sessions. I was still cold by the end of each session.

I think it's quite beneficial, not only for keeping you warm, but also for giving you a more realistic idea of your weighting requirements and how you'll really feel while diving. Having on a lot of neoprene feels a lot different (to me) than not. YMMV and all that, but I'd recommend wearing one. If money is an issue, wait, but if you can afford it now, get it now.

Rented suits are just gross, in my opinion. Some places are better about cleaning them than others, but I don't rent wetsuits.

 

[TSandM]

I think you made a good call. I've seen a lot of students do the pool work in bathing suits and end up shivering or having to get out early because they were cold.