New diver - seeking cold water dives opinions

[tiggrr]

I am a newly certified diver. I did my open water dives at the end of March on Roatan. I had a blast and am anxious to get back in the water. I'm located in Michigan. I have a couple of friends heading to a local quarry this weekend and they've invited me along. I have never dived in cold water so my plan was to either buy or rent proper thermal protection for the upcoming dives. I went to my LDS to look into purchasing or renting a 7mm or 6.5 mm suit. The LDS owner said that he would discourage me to do any cold water diving until the water warms up (a month or 2 according to him) because he thinks I would find it unpleasant and it might spoil me for any further local diving. I can sort of see his point, but I'm really wanting to get back underwater. I have a good tolerance to cold, and I could limit my diving to short dives or only one or two dives. what do you think?

You have an awesome attitude.

Everyone gave great advice and I'd like to add that when you are ready to try a drysuit....I believe that Divers Inc in Ann Arbor rents them.

 

[SubMariner]

You have an awesome attitude.

Everyone gave great advice and I'd like to add that when you are ready to try a drysuit....I believe that Divers Inc in Ann Arbor rents them.

As has already been said, everyone's tolerance for cold is different. However, early in my diving life in The Great White North (aka Canada) I found that 5-7mm wetsuits really didn't cut it for me: my max bottom time was only 25 minutes and don't even get me started on how hard it was to get in/out of that much heavy (wet) neoprene. (Pantyhose, anyone? )

So, as already stated, a drysuit is a good option. However, be aware that a drysuit is NOT simply another passive piece of equipment you just put on and go. You need to be properly trained how to use it.

So yes, take a look into a drysuit, but be aware that you need to have confined and open water training BEFORE you actually dive it on your own.

Pax,

 

[Kingpatzer]

I'd like to stress again:

don't BUY anything right now!!

Dry suits not only take a few skills to use, but they are incredibly configurable. Rent for a while till you learn what features you like and dislike, so that you can get exactly the suit you want. For as much as a dry suit costs, there's really no reason not to get one custom built to meet your every wish!!

And if you're going to eventually want a dry suit, then dropping money on a wet suit is really a waste. Rent your wet suit for now. Take a dry suit class and spend some time learning how to use a dry suit. Rent a few different models. THEN make your choices from a position of being an informed diver.

In the meantime -- go get wet!!

 

[pelagic_by_nature]

I will be going, either Saturday or Sunday, depending on how the weather forecast looks later in the week. Will rent a wetsuit, hood, gloves. I'm expecting that it will be somewhat cold, maybe even quite cold but so be it. I'm anxious to get wet. I'll bring a thermos of warm water to dump into the suit before heading in. Thank you all for the advice and encouragement. I'll let you all know how it went. I can't imagine it being so unpleasant as to sour me for any further local diving like the LDS owner thinks. On the opposite end of the temperature spectrum, I remember doing my first open water dive on Roatan in March. Gearing up down there with the air temp at about 95 and the humidity probably even higher, I was sweating buckets prior to that first giant stride. I remember thinking "could this possibly be worth it?" Well, about 2 minutes in I was totally hooked.

 

[James R]

Oh yeah...if you can, bring a small cooler or something full of hot water so you can soak your hood and gloves in hot water too, especially between dives...nothing like putting a wet and cold hood on your head to make you want to skip a dive A bit more to haul, but well worth it.

Good luck,

 

[scubadada]

Lots of people dive in cold water because that's where all the good stuff is!

7mm full suits with good hoods and gloves works for a vast majority of divers here in SoCal where temps drop into the low 50's and sometimes a touch below. No one comes out saying they were warm but they did go back for more after warming their core.

If you dive with your friends, and they are experienced cold water divers they will be watching you closely and should call the dive as soon as you are ready. Just realize that you will get cold, you will be wearing more weight and you will be having a good time!

Teamcasa is right on. I learned to dive in S California and had a decade of great (occasionally cold) diving in a 7mm wetsuit. I got recertified years later and dived mainly warm water but realized I was missing great opportunities on my 2-3 trips to San Diego per year. Got myself a new 7mm wetsuit with a good hood, gloves, and booties and have not looked back. My personal comfort level limit is the high 40s, I'm just fine in the low 50s, which is the usual.

That being said, if I lived in a cold water area or dived cold water more often, I would definitely buy a drysuit. In fact, I'm going to get myself a drysuit as soon as I can convince my very understanding, warm water diving wife that this is a wise purchase.

Good diving, Craig

 

[scubadada]

Oh yeah...if you can, bring a small cooler or something full of hot water so you can soak your hood and gloves in hot water too, especially between dives...nothing like putting a wet and cold hood on your head to make you want to skip a dive A bit more to haul, but well worth it.

Good luck,

Nothing more shocking than donning a frigid hooded vest for the 2nd dive. This is a great idea, I'm going to try it, thanks.

Good diving, Craig

 

[F106A]

Rent a two piece 7mm. You'll have 14mm of wetsuit around your trunk. I dive a wetsuit, but I'm a wimp and don't hit the water until around the 4th of July based on previous experiences. YMMV

What he said. (Bold emphasis added by me.) And --- make sure you have warm gloves/mitts. Loss of dexterity sucks. And can be dangerous.

 

[offthewall1]

I am a newly certified diver. I did my open water dives at the end of March on Roatan. I had a blast and am anxious to get back in the water. I'm located in Michigan. I have a couple of friends heading to a local quarry this weekend and they've invited me along. I have never dived in cold water so my plan was to either buy or rent proper thermal protection for the upcoming dives. I went to my LDS to look into purchasing or renting a 7mm or 6.5 mm suit. The LDS owner said that he would discourage me to do any cold water diving until the water warms up (a month or 2 according to him) because he thinks I would find it unpleasant and it might spoil me for any further local diving. I can sort of see his point, but I'm really wanting to get back underwater. I have a good tolerance to cold, and I could limit my diving to short dives or only one or two dives. what do you think?

Local Dive Shop owners usually know what they're talking about when it comes to local conditions... unless of course they don't know what they're talking about.

There is only one condition I'm aware of in which a person cannot submerge themselves in water.... and that is when it is frozen solid. You can safely dive under ice and truly have an enjoyable experience assuming you have proper training for such a condition... so for him to tell you you may be cold and not enjoy it... makes little sense to me.

Some of my favorite dives have been done in very cold water. Obtaining proper exposure protection and equipment is obviously very important. If you're game, I say obtain the right gear, the right training and go or it...

 

[pelagic_by_nature]

Due to the local forecast and some other issues beyond my control, the trip has been postponed until next weekend. Again, thank you all for your advice and support. I'll keep you posted.:admin: