How important is exposure protection?

[BostonPops]

A vast majority of my diving as been done in tropical environments. For that reason, I've always dove in swim trunks. The only time I've worn a wetsuit was when I dove in San Diego.

I noticed on my trip to Cozumel that everyone wore a wetsuit or skinsuit. At least one person per dive asked me (in a friendly manner) why I wasn't wearing a wetsuit. I told them I never have and I don't get cold so I just never think of it.

Is it a faux pas not to wear at least some sort of exp. protection?

 

[HammerNoMore]

Is it a faux pas not to wear at least some sort of exp. protection?

Not at all. People simply have different tolerances for cold. If you don't feel cold in 80 degree water then there is no need to wear a suit. The only factor to that is that if you notice yourself getting cold after a week of diving, it's better to use the wetsuit from the start before you core temperature starts to drop.

James

 

[scubadiverjunkie]

Strictly as a matter of opinion - I would say that it is smart to wear some type of exposure protection just to be safe - to protect yourself from the critters that have that ability to give you that "less than fresh feeling". Here in South Florida I will wear a 5MM in winter - 3MM in Spring/Fall and a .5MM in the Summer and whereever I venture into the Caribbean. I find that a .5mm gives you total range of movement and it still feels like you are wearing no suit and it gives you at least some type of reliable exposure protection.

But that's just my opinion......

 

[hodgson]

Wetsuits and skins are not just for protection against the cold. They can also protect you from any number of things. They provide protection from: the sun, stings (ever been stung by a jellyfish?... it's not fun), scrapes, etc. Not to mention the "you just look cool" factor

A vast majority of my diving as been done in tropical environments. For that reason, I've always dove in swim trunks. The only time I've worn a wetsuit was when I dove in San Diego.

I noticed on my trip to Cozumel that everyone wore a wetsuit or skinsuit. At least one person per dive asked me (in a friendly manner) why I wasn't wearing a wetsuit. I told them I never have and I don't get cold so I just never think of it.

Is it a faux pas not to wear at least some sort of exp. protection?

 

[chrisch]

IMHO wearing just swimming trunks is not too bad. Provided you do a stride entry that is. A backward roll off the boat would carry a risk of exposing yourself.

Depends who you dive with really.
Chris

 

[SueMermaid]

I prefer to go commando (without a wetsuit, you pervs!) if I can get away with it, the water just feels nice. The less flotsam on my body, the better the experience. It is certainly not a faux pas to eschew neoprene while diving if the water's warm.

 

[H2Andy]

Is it a faux pas not to wear at least some sort of exp. protection?

nope, but as noted above, you also wear a skin or wetsuit
for protection against contact with things that can hurt you
(such as rocks, jellyfish, etc.). that said, your primary
defense here is awareness adn good technique; the protection
is really a last-line-of-defense type thing.

also, even 80 F water will drain the heat out of you if
you do two or three dives per day for a while. it's
a cumulative thing, and you may not notice the fact that
you are cold, but it will affect your performance.

this also varies a lot from person to person. i get so cold
everywhere that i could not imagine diving without at
least a 3mm jumper and a lycra skin to cover my top.
i have seen people (CBulla) dive with shorts in water that
i was freezing in with 9mm of neoprene on my chest and
3mm of neoprene on my head and extremeties.

so go figure!

 

[JRO]

To restate what everyone else has stated, it's a very personal thing. It does make sense to wear something to keep you warm and protect you from the things that can scratch and harm you.

Having said that...I have only worn a wetsuit once in Rhode Island in the Spring.

Beyond that, a swimsuit (even on a backroll) and t-shirt always does the trick for me. Even on repetitive dives, just got back from a liveaboard, 25 dives no wetsuit needed. As far as protection from the coral and such, I find that it keeps me honest. This way I'm not tempted to try to squeeze into an area that may cause me to brush up against (and kill) the local residents. As Sue put it, I like the feel of the water.

To sum up, if you get cold put on a wetsuit to prevent it from happening. If you are more warm blooded...jump in and enjoy...just watch out for the jellies and the coral!!!

Jeff

Jeff

 

[kalvyn]

Wen we were in Bonaire this past February, I wore a full 3mm wetsuit. It was not neccessary (I dove Hawaii in a 3 mm shorty and the water was 10 degrees cooler there), but I didn't want to get sunburned. I would have to echo what others have said, that you are losing body heat even in 85 degree water. Even minimal exposure protection might be a good idea if you're diving multiple dives over multiple days, just to help with the fatigue factor.

Jimmie

 

[gfisher4792]

I think anyone who's had their skin exposed to fire coral would tell you exposure protection is a good idea. Remember that "exposure" doesn't just relate to temperature.