Ice Diving

[Gary D.]

Not even close.

Here is what I do to stay warm in 32F water. My run times are in the 60 minute range.

Diving Concepts TPS Thinsulate (layer 1)
Diving Concepts TPS Thinsulate Vest (layer 2 - torso)
100g Power stretch fleece (layer 3 - torso)
300g Polartech fleece top (layer 4 - torso)
300g Polartech fleece bottom (layer 2 - legs)
Diving Concepts TPS Thinsualte Booties (layer 1 - feet)
100g Polartech fleece sock (layer 2 - feet)
-40C Wigwam fleece sock (layer 3 - feet)
Polypro gloves (layer 1- hands)
100g power stretch fleece glove (layer 2 - hands)
300g polartech fleece glove (layer 3 - hands)
7mm hood (layer 1 - head)
3mm stretch hood (layer 2 - head)

Add argon to taste. By the end of an hour my toes and fingers are cold and my face is nicely numb. I wear all of that so I can survive big time screwup and pull 2 or more hours if I need it. I am getting a dryhood if I decide to dive in the cold water this year and can figure out some way to attach it to a zipseal.

If I were pulling any sort of planned deco, I would also be looking at electric heating and buy some more thinsulate

What are you using for weight?

I flippin roast with all that on.
Normally it's PolyPro undies top and bottom.
200 polar fleece
PolyPro gloves
Wool gloves
White socks with wool over the top
5mm zipper hood that stays open

If I'm on the ice for a long time I will wear some felt boot liners and boot chains.

Most of the time I'm in a TLS 350. But I could be in a DUI 50/50, A White's or a Viking.

Gary D.

 

[MikeFerrara]

What are you using for weight?

I flippin roast with all that on.
Normally it's PolyPro undies top and bottom.
200 polar fleece
PolyPro gloves
Wool gloves
White socks with wool over the top
5mm zipper hood that stays open

If I'm on the ice for a long time I will wear some felt boot liners and boot chains.

Most of the time I'm in a TLS 350. But I could be in a DUI 50/50, A White's or a Viking.

Gary D.

He said for run times of 60 minutes or more.

Do more than a little deco in 40 or even 50 degree water and nothing is warm enough. The guys doing long dives are using heated underwear carrying big battery packs like stage tanks.

 

[JimC]

What are you using for weight?

My 104's and stages seem to keep me down nicely.


And Mike is right - nothing is warm enough. Even 60 minute and a min-deco accent is cold enough with this getup. I don't screw around with Ice. It is hands down the most dangerous environment I dive in.

 

[lakewinni]

Okay I just got a drysuit and havent gotten an opportunity to try it out yet but will be in about 34 degree water in a few days and heres what I don't get. A non neoprene drysuit is just a bag of air basiclly right? And if the water is 34 degrees that means that really the air in my suit cant be getting any colder than 34 degrees. So I dont get how it can be that cold. I mean a 34 degree say with no wind chill isnt really cold at all. I can understand tho if you were in a wetsuit or something with the water conducting the heat away from you faster.

 

[ththooft]

I wanted to clarify a couple of things. First, I do have the PolarTec 200 jumpsuit, I am looking at wearing some long underwear or under armor below this. I will also have a prima loft shortie. Here is the link for the pictures of the suits:
http://www.diverite.com/Products/productslist.aspx?SubCategoryID=55&CategoryID=8

The ice dives won't be my first dives in the suit, though I will still be very new to dry suits. I will be taking the ice diving class with several instructors that I completely trust, so I feel in good hands.

Thanks for every one's help so far!

 

[boogeywoogey]

Just go...don't clarify or justify anything on this site....useless advice prevails...just like this bit.

Cold water diving is the best you will ever do. Do it with cold water friends AND no advice from this warm water site. Try yorkshiredivers.

If I can help in any way i would be happy to...if its pointers or names..

boogey

 

[JeffG]

Do more than a little deco in 40 or even 50 degree water and nothing is warm enough. The guys doing long dives are using heated underwear carrying big battery packs like stage tanks.

$%@##$%$ Eh bubba

 

[JeffG]

And Mike is right - nothing is warm enough. Even 60 minute and a min-deco accent is cold enough with this getup. I don't screw around with Ice. It is hands down the most dangerous environment I dive in.

Thats why I'm going electric.

 

[JimC]

Okay I just got a drysuit and havent gotten an opportunity to try it out yet but will be in about 34 degree water in a few days and heres what I don't get. A non neoprene drysuit is just a bag of air basiclly right? And if the water is 34 degrees that means that really the air in my suit cant be getting any colder than 34 degrees. So I dont get how it can be that cold. I mean a 34 degree say with no wind chill isnt really cold at all. I can understand tho if you were in a wetsuit or something with the water conducting the heat away from you faster.

Your still emersed in water, and that water still takes the heat away from your body. Thus we need insulation, and lots of it.

Granted my dives are longer than a common 20 minute tethered hole dive. That is what I wear, and its not enough some days.

 

[spectrum]

Okay I just got a drysuit and havent gotten an opportunity to try it out yet but will be in about 34 degree water in a few days and heres what I don't get. A non neoprene drysuit is just a bag of air basiclly right? And if the water is 34 degrees that means that really the air in my suit cant be getting any colder than 34 degrees. So I dont get how it can be that cold. I mean a 34 degree say with no wind chill isnt really cold at all. I can understand tho if you were in a wetsuit or something with the water conducting the heat away from you faster.

Do you go prancing around in the buff on a 34 degree day? I suspect you are wearing clothes that like a drysuit undergarment keep a layer of body warmed air close to you. So most of your skin is protected from the greatest heat loss.

In any drysuit in cold water the suit will still be in contact with you to some significant extent and this will conduct a lot of heat from your body. You only want so much air in there and even a neoprene suit sill have a chilly surface. The neoprene does have some insulating values and this can let you use a lesser udergarment. The material is also a bit more temperate than most shells.

Pete