Need Advice On Important Matter

[MXGratefulDiver]

How tight is too tight?

Does a wetsuit stretch with use/wear/age? If I break a sweat putting it on is it too tight?

I was just given (aren't buddies great?) a wetsuit (7mm Oneil Jumpsuit) that is brand new and according to the size charts is my size. It is quite a chore to put on. Other than feeling tight and my arms popping out a bit from the tightness, feels pretty good. Will this suit stretch as I wear it? Should I prestretch it a bit?

Couldn't tell you if it's too tight without really looking. But to answer your question, neoprene has memory ... after a few dives you'll take it off and hang it up and it'll look like you ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[cdennyb]

Just a thought. If you're going to stick with this diving thing... think about just getting the right suit for the coldest conditions (i.e. dry suit for the quarries, etc.) and then shop ebay for a wet suit (cheap 3-5 mm) when the time comes to go to the sunshine state.
Remember that a shell dry suit can be worn in the tropics! Just don't wear any thermals under it. It can also be worn in the arctic! Double thermals. So, if you plan on doing this diving thing more than a dozen times a year and since you're in college still, you'll probably move a few more times before you settle down, so spend money in the right places to buy the right stuff.
You won't be sorry if you start out right. And you won't loose interest either. (Everyone around you will see that you know what you want and get what you need.

 

[Capnsnott]

I dive Northern Florida a lot, I also dive in Colorado. I was trying to cover the gambit of temperatures you are probably looking at too. I ended up with a 5mm two piece. If I dive Fl in the cold months (Nov - Feb) the farmer john & shorty are good to about 55 degrees for me. In March when it warmes up to the 60s (65+ @ 60fsw) I can get away with the shorty sometimes. Although I will dive in both in some places. I haven't dove after March, so I don't know how warm the water actually gets down there. In Colorado, the shorty and farmer johns together work just fine. Water temps are in the 50s to low 60s, but I move around enough that I don't get too cold.

The hat and gloves are the key for me. I dive mostly in a 3mm beany with 2.5mm gloves. My hands get cold in the 50s water, so I'll change to a 5mm set of gloves then. I'm hot blooded too, but have never got hot in my suit (under water). I dove in a lot of rentals before I got it. Most of which were XLs, I found out they were actually too big and bought a Large. The fit on land for me was different than when in water. Compression is a big deal. I also found the suit is not as tight now that I have dove in it a while. Keep that in mind when trying on suits.

I don't know what Mike S is talking about, but it sounds like something to check into. Don't come at it from an I'm tough, I can take it. Nothing spoils a dive faster than getting cold. I tend to wear shorts most of the winter here in CO, but getting cold under water is one thing I don't want to do. Cooling off is easy, getting warm is not.
Greg

 

[Capnsnott]

Can you guys elaborate more on the dry suits you are talking about?
I would really appreciate it too.
Greg
PS, my 5mm cost me under $200.