Need some help!!

[whiplash]

Hows it going currentlyI'm in Okinawa with the Marines and I am going to be heading back to camp Pendeltion So Cal in January, I have gotten into diving out here and would like to continue in California but I just have a few questions that will help me decide on what gear I need.

What is the average water temp around Oceanside for the winter and summer?

What size wetsuit do you recommend 3,5,7 mil ? gloves hood?

I weigh 170 and I use 8lbs of weight with a 1 mil skin suit, I if I have a 7 mil and I weigh 170 how much weight do I need?

Thank you,
-Dan

 

[jlyle]

Before I answer, let me just say, "Thank you!"

Ave ocean water temps in the winter will be in the mid-fifties F. Surface temps can be several degrees higher than those below the thermocline.

Most divers in SoCal dive 7mm suits, gloves & hoods. Remember, different people have different tolerances for cold, YMMV. Lots of local divers have gone to drysuits.

If you are using 8 pounds with an Aluminum tank in your 1mm, you will need ~16 pounds of lead with a STEEL tank when fully kitted in your 7mm suit. This is a gross approximation - with a high pressure steel tank, you might even need less lead...

 

[Teamcasa]

Ditto on the Thank You for serving.

Most SoCal divers use a full or farmer John 7mm with hood and gloves. The water temps can go as low as 46-47 at depth but mostly hover around the mid 50's at depth and higher on the surface.

As for weight, start with 16-18 lbs and do a proper buoyancy check to determine the actual weight required for how you are configured.

Read this thread as well.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/311515-north-county-san-diego-suggestions.html

 

[Blackwood]

I weigh a little less than you, and when I dive wet in SOCAL, I use a 7mm full suit over a 3/2 hooded vest.

With a HP100 (Worthington) cylinder, I wear a total of 14 pounds (steel backplate, 4# belt, 4# on the upper cam strap).

 

[fnfalman]

Water in SoCal range from 50F during the winter to around 63F during the summer.

7mil wetsuit is highly recommended although during the summer one can get away with a 5mil suit.

As far as weight needed, it all depends on your brand of wetsuit, your wetsuit design (farmer john is more floaty than 1-piece jumpsuit), neoprene vest liner (if yes then more weight needed), the type of BC and type of tank. Rule of Thumb is 10% of your body weight + 6lbs. That's Rule of Thumb to start out with and generally you are overweighted at this point, so you can start subtracting lead until you are properly weighted.

 

[Blackwood]

Rule of Thumb is...

useless

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Thanks for your service.