Sizes

[Tiffy]

I am new to scuba diving my bf got me the training kit. I have realy wanted to do it but im worried about sizes. Im not the tooth pick size girl you see on the beach.(sorry if i afended anyone) But i wouldnt call me fat i am 160 pounds. Now can i find wetsuits that will fit confertably?
Thanks

 

[Natasha]

Tiffy,
Welcome to the world of Scuba. I know you'll love it.
I have to give you tons of credit,for being brave enough to put your weight on the boards. I know you couldn't pay me a million dollars to do it! OK, maybe a million!
Anyway, back to your letter. There are custom wet suit companies that you can give your measurements to, and they will make you a suit. They'll even put zippers on the legs to make it easier to fit and put on. I don't know the web links to them, but I bet someone on here does. I know for sure there is a company in Florida that does it, because my girlfriend down there did it, and has a great wet suit!
Or if you don't want to go through all of that, you can probably fit in a man's size medium or so. I really think most dive shops will let you try several on until you're happy.
Good luck girl! Hope to sea you underwater someday!

 

[Ladydiver]

Hi Tiffy,

Welcome to ScubaBoard and the wonderfull world of diving. As far as your weight, not to worry, I have been diving with or seen female divers much bigger than you. It's not the weight that matters, it's how comfortable you are and on that note.

You can get to the best custom wetsuit company I know of by clicking on this link. The company is called Liquid Fit. Caroline and her crew are wonderful at making sure your new suit fits to your satisfaction and goes out of her way to make people happy. Check out their site and give her a call.

BTW, if you do end up talking with Caroline, please let her know you heard about them through ScubaSource.

Cheers,

 

[Tiffy]

Thanks for the responses. I have worried along time about that. Im still a ways off from classes they start in Febuary. And i wanted to find info about suits and scuba diving. So thanks for the info.

 

[Dee]

I'm no little thing either. And I'm here to prove that round is a shape!

You don't say how tall you are. You may be able to wear a men's suit but more than likely the arms and legs will be too long for you. I totally agree with Ladydiver. I have one of Carolyn's Liquid Fit suits and couldn;t be happier with it. The platinum lining, same principle as Henderson's Gold, is truly amazing. The suit glides on easily, whether it is wet or dry. The lining also prevent the absorbtion of 'fluids' into the neoprene.

I got a full 3mil suit plus a sleeveless shorty for about the same price as an off the rack suit and it fits like a dream. Liquid Fit has some nice color choices and lots of options you won't find elsewhere for the price.

Call them...you won't be sorry.

 

[scubabunny]

Believe me hon, you should find one that fits you in a dive shop nearby (if there IS a diveshop nearby!); you're weight is about average from what I've seen. One thing I want to warn you though...you WILL have a tough time getting one on dry. Thats the only way to find one that fits. If you don't work up a sweat and swear like a sailor getting a dry wetsuit on, its probably too big. Just so you don't think they are all too small for you.

They have to be tight so they can trap water inside for your body to heat it up. If it slips on easily, then its going to let water flow through to easily, actually making you colder. However, you want to make sure it doesn't feel like its choking you around the neck, or its too tight around the wrists and ankles, and that you can move your arms and legs freely without cutting or binding you. AND that you can take a deep breath with no trouble.

And remember..they are ALOT easier to get on when they're wet! I always wet mine in the tub before I go diving...makes my dive bag heavier, but saves alot of frustration (not to mention ripped fingernails)!

Best of luck, and happy bubbles!

 

[SubMariner]

Pantyhose!

I kid you not.

When I tried to get on a 1/4" wetsuit on my first open water dive, it took me nearly 25 minutes and cost me several skinned knuckles. After the dive the Instructors told me about putting on panyhose 1st. Like they couldn't have spared me all the time, effort, and pain by telling me BEFOREHAND?! :fury:

I never looked back after that...

I have used pantyhose to help get on just about all my wetsuits since then, even for confined water sessions with students. It just makes it so much easier!

Needless to say, you get the cheapest pairs you can find, rinse them after every use (just like the rest of your gear)and use them until they are shredded beyond recongnition.

That being said, I dive dry in anything under 78F, so I don't have the hassles with the thicker wetsuits anymore.

Welcome to the wonderful world of diving...

~SubMariner~

 

[scubabunny]

Are we talking dry suit with 78F surface temp, or water temp?

And pantyhose is a wonderful idea...gotta share that with my customers! Not that I think the military guys will go for it...*grins*!

 

[SubMariner]

78F water temp... that's the min for me for a wetsuit.



~SubMariner~

 

[jenmichigan]

I just have to say it 78 degree water would be a dream for me. I dive in the great lakes in a wet suit so 50 degrees isn't uncommon. I was just in Crystal River, Florida with an air temp of about 70 degrees and a water temp of 72 degrees snorkeling all day in a bathing suit.

I use a full body lycra skin to ease on the wetsuit. (no Don sorry it isn't leopard print) I find that the lycra skin lets the suit slide on much easier.

Jennier
http://www.MichiganShipwrecks.com