How Cold Do You Go

[MXGratefulDiver]

My coldest wetsuit dive was my very first ... 42 degrees F, in Puget Sound in February.

I was too excited to notice the cold ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[AevnsGrandpa]

Coldest I've been in a wet suit, which is all I have, was about 52 degrees at 60 feet in early may. West suit is a 5/4/3 with 5 mm gloves and hood.

Was only down for 15 miutes or so before I had to come up!!

Jeff

 

[FreeFloat]

Last year's answer: when the water gets hard. Longest/coldest dive: 45 minutes at 32°F/0°C water. Yes there was ice in and around it. (Blackmail pics available!)

This year's answer: well I freedived a week ago in 42°F water, lasting about 40 minutes: but truthfully, since I started diving doubles this fall I've been exclusively in a drysuit so I suspect I will have lost last year's cold tolerance. I only seem to get into a wetsuit for freediving these days.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Until I bought a drysuit I'd dive wet in any temps. Last winter I did many dives sub 40 in a wetsuit.

Now that I have a drysuit I wonder what took so long. I dive the drysuit until it is up in the 70's.

 

[MSilvia]

I've done wet dives to 38°F bottom temp, but only for a short stay. If it's any colder than about 42°F, I don't want to be in the water in a wetsuit for more than 20 minutes or so.

 

[redacted]

Mid 50's in a 5mil with 3mil shorty was cold but tolerable for 1 dive of 35 minutes. Lower to mid 60's for 4 dives of 45 min each in one day is more than this WWW cares to try again.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

The thickest suit I own is a 3mm and I used it last winter throughout Dec-Feb in waters between mid 50ºs - low 60ºs. It was cold, but not unbearable. I've already bought a set of 3mm gloves and a 2.5mm hoodvest for this years winter season(last year, I just had the suit ).

 

[RIDIVER501]

depending on how long the exposure is, but in general.
I tend to dive wet until mid 40's then i shift to dry.
I will dive dry below 50 If I am going to be in the water for longer then 4 hours.

 

[Ishie]

Never dived a drysuit.

Coldest dive was 48 degrees. Had to wear a hood for that one but in a cheap 2 piece 7 mm, I was comfortable except my face for the first ten minutes.

Once the water temp is above 52, I lose the hood. I've been chilly a couple of times doing this, but usually it doesn't bother me (and not half as much as the hood does).

I don't think I'd like diving a drysuit. Looks too tight on the neck.

 

[pennypue]

what do you consider to cold for diving a wet suit

When I start to have convulsions.
Just Kidding! (sort of) Never tried dry so I'm game for anything.

Did 75 minutes, 50degrees in a 6.5 farmer john/jacket at 40-45feet.
Did it the day before and had no trouble.

It took forty-five minutes and a warm dive buddy to stop shivering. And I'd do it again too.