Keeping warm in a drysuit

[RPanick]

Ok, the title might be a bit odd granted, you buy a dry suit to stay warm after all. What I'm curious about is tricks people have used to keep warm on the surface interval when the air is cold. I'm thinking of going diving on the New Years day at Gilboa, provided the weather isn't too bad. Question what's the best way to stay warm if its above freezing when you get out after the first dive, I draw the line at prying frozen gear off of the table to go diving.

My initial thought would be to keep the suit buttoned up, fortunately mine is pretty comfortable. My hood and gloves are wet not dry, I'd love to use dry gloves but I can't get my hads through the Diving Concept rings I have. My underware is Diving Concepts 200g Thinsulate which keeps me pretty comfortable in 45 degree water. I use two heavy pairs of wool sockets with Rock Boots.

So I'm thinking that toweling off my hands and head, and then putting on a hat and/or conventional gloves after getting out of the water would be warm enough. I'll bring along some warm water to put my hood and gloves in after the first dive to have them nice and warm for the second dive.

Any thoughts or suggestions to add to this?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

When the temps are down in the low 40s or colder, especially if it's cloudy, I sometimes keep the suit zippered up. Often times I need to take the top down though to .... ummm ... relieve myself since I don't have a p-valve. When that's the case, a good wind resistant, warm winter coat helps a great deal. Another key is to get the hood and gloves off and get a good thermal cap and gloves on ASAP. An enclosed canopy with a propane heater is also awefully nice!

Another thing that helps me is to drink something warm. For me it's coffee, for others maybe tea, hot chocolate, hot cider ... but something warm!

Ohhh, and for those of us that still use wet gloves, a second set of gloves is a huge help. Putting on cold, damp wet gloves just gives me the chills to no end! If you only have one set of gloves, at least bring hot/warm water to rinse the gloves in before donning them for subsequent dives.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Sounds like we need to have the tent set up and heated for SIT gear storage for you

I'm the queen of freeze and am pretty happy with a hat and mittens if I wear the drysuit between dives. Sometimes I'm even happy without the hat if my core is warm enough; even when it's so cold my hair freezes into icicles. Definitely have a second pair of gloves or some way to warm everything that's wet before donning it for a second dive.

Would love to see you at Gilboa!
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[TSandM]

Having some hot water to pour over your head is a very nice amenity.

I like to take the top half of the suit down (being female, I have to do this anyway ) and put on a down jacket. I also wear a hat, and my husband puts his hat INSIDE his dry suit, so that it's readily available the minute the suit is unzipped.

Having hot water to warm the hood and gloves is very civilized, as well.

If your hands won't fit through DC dry glove rings, look into the Viking bayonet rings. I believe they're the biggest on the market.

 

[nereas]

Moving to Florida is the only permanent solution that I can foresee.

 

[SteveAD]

A cooler full of hot water to put the hood and gloves in between dives. It actually feels great to put on a hot wet hood. Hat and gloves to wear between dives. And closing the exhaust valve and pumping up the suit a bit just about eliminates any wind chill effect.

 

[Oldpirate]

I also use the Viking rings and dry gloves on my DUI suit (is it wrong?). A dry hood is a must for me too. Sometimes I slip my DUI watch cap on my head -- right over the dry suit hood! The real trick for me is to just keep the suit zipped and slightly inflated.

 

[spt29970]

I am surprised no one mentioned the obvious. Leave the suit on, but after you get on deck, inflate it. This moves the cold wet surfaces away from your body. I have done this in howling wind and been quite comfortable.

 

[RPanick]

Personally, the move to Florida or better yet Hawaii sounds good to me.

I can pump up the suit a bit, but not too much, I went with a cuff dump instead of the shoulder dump. The slightest positive preasure and it vents.

Everything else sounds reasonable then. Hopefully we won't have any storms rolling through about then. Driving 200 miles round trip through bad weather isn't any more fun than being out in it while trying to dive.

 

[RPanick]

BTW, does anyone know of a dive shop that stocks Viking Dry Glove Rings in the Detroit area. I've been in most of the shops and I don't think I've ever seen them. Given the cost its something I definitely want to put my hands on (or through) before I spend any more money.