Jarrett:
Thanks, What do y'all think about layering? I hear some people talk about that.
71 Degrees-
This is not a simple slide solution. People make general references but each person really needs to take into account how they feel in the water. Heavier males often do not nearly require the neoprene that ladies do. This needs to be mixed with your excise rate of the dive. Dives were you are not active will require more neoprene. Also remember that first ten feet is always the bear when it comes to suit compression and diving.
I have worn 3mm suits at 71 for very active dives. However, if I was planning on doing a dive were I was working in one area then I would consider that a less active dive.
Alan, makes a good comment about a 5mil suit. 5 Mil is pretty much a standard unless you are in the gulf and I wear a 3mm (really for protection.)
A good comfortable hood goes a long way to keeping you happy. Depending on what they are having you do- gloves may make things interesting.
Layering neoprene is a myth in my book. Buying an extra suit and building it on top just add restrictions and more buoyancy. Buy a heavier suit and cold water suits should have good neck, wrist, arm, and leg seals. There are some really good suits out there.
Personally, everyone should start with a general suit- 5mm or 7mm and a 3mm or shortie? Most Texas lakes the temp drops pretty quick below 60ft so your education (depth) will dictate the better heavier suit.
My first suit was a 7mm semi dry however; to get full use out of a 7mm you need to be diving most of the year. As a divemaster I did a 20 minute dive in 52 degree water and that was the limit of that 7mm suit. I personally like a 3mm for warmish water, below 75 I wimp out and hit my 5 mm. If it is a technical dive or anything that I am not sure then the drysuit comes out. So, the 5mm is really a fun suit and anything remotely coldish otherwise drysuit.
I did 8 years of diving before it and the drysuit is very worth while. Diveblondy will warn you though that is does nothing for your head or hands- this seems to affect ladies more than guys.
Weighting- I would suggest that advanced divers try this for fun and it helps to peel off excess weight. Finish a dive with about 500Psi in your tank or less then after you hang at 15ft see if you have any extra weight on you. You should be able to have no air in your wing. So at 15ft dump your wing and then start taking out a little bit of soft/hard weight at a time. If you feel too buoyant then add back 2 lbs. Also steel tanks are great for this. Just a thought.
