Keeping warm in a drysuit

[Ber Rabbit]

I don't think they're in Detroit, actually they're in Midland BUT call Seaquatics (1-888-SEA-HUNT) and ask for Tim, see if they have anything that might fit. Tell him Ber told you to call and ask. He's going to be at Gilboa for the New Year's dive and can bring them down for you to try.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[vablackwater]

Rpanick, Send a PM to Bob3, he is a Viking Guru and Rep and has worked in your area.
ScubaBoard - View Profile: Bob3

 

[do it easy]

You could stay warm the old fashioned way- stop off in Findlay and ask for a double order of scattered, smothered, covered at the Waffle House!

 

[RPanick]

Thanks all for the Viking info.

About the Waffle house, is that stop on the way to Gilboa, on the way back, or both, and does it involve lighting a match?

 

[RPanick]

I called the Sea The World and turns out they normally have them. Of course, they sold the last pair to the zoo this morning. You have to give Craig credit, if its not true its a great line. He should have some more in next week that I can try.

Funny part is that's where I got my DCS rings that don't fit and I don't remember seeing them. Oh well.

 

[northen diver]

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?

Bob: Did you just get a Zflex or ultra flex DC suit. I just bought a Diving Concept suit two weeks ago with the DC rings. You must have really big hands .

I am going diving this weekend and the LDS sells both viking and DC suits. He is bringing some other products (undergarments) for me to try out. If you want to go diving this weekend, come on out and he'll be happy to bring some cuffs along for ya to try on. PM me if ya interested. I plan on staying the whole weekend though.

 

[diver_paula]

I called the Sea The World and turns out they normally have them. Of course, they sold the last pair to the zoo this morning. You have to give Craig credit, if its not true its a great line. He should have some more in next week that I can try.

So funny it's got to be true! (& for those that aren't local, the Detroit Zoo is only 15-20 minutes from Sea the World.)

Paula

 

[spt29970]

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.

I forgot about cuff dumps. This is one reason I like adjustable shoulder valves. I can crank it down and turn into the Michellin man if I want.

 

[RPanick]

Bob: Did you just get a Zflex or ultra flex DC suit. I just bought a Diving Concept suit two weeks ago with the DC rings. You must have really big hands .

I am going diving this weekend and the LDS sells both viking and DC suits. He is bringing some other products (undergarments) for me to try out. If you want to go diving this weekend, come on out and he'll be happy to bring some cuffs along for ya to try on. PM me if ya interested. I plan on staying the whole weekend though.

Not really all that big, wide and inflexible is probably the better way of putting it. I can get my hands through the rings just fine, its the rings and the latex cuffs that are just about impossible. Even with lots of talc the rings pull off the latex cuffs as I struggle to get them on. Yes, I know I could set them up so I wouldn't have the latex cuffs, but I don't trust them not to leak that much.

As to diving this weekend, the weather forecast doesn't sound to promising. The thought of slipping and falling on snow or ice at Gilboa just makes me shiver to think about it.

 

[RPanick]

I forgot about cuff dumps. This is one reason I like adjustable shoulder valves. I can crank it down and turn into the Michellin man if I want.

If I had to do it over again, I would probably go with the shoulder dump. Not that I have a problem with the cuff dump, there are a few times the cuff has been inconvienent.