Start with 7mm or just get drysuit

[BlueTrin]

I'll take your word for it. Here in the Northeast US, the water is not any warmer than in the UK (I don't think), and I haven't heard of anyone getting OW in a drysuit.

I am pretty sure your requirement is to do the dry suit specialty alone and that you are allowed to do open water and dry suit together.

Well I am not sure but I see all the time people getting open water certification in winter in drysuit.

Last weekend i saw people getting certified in 4 Celsius degrees water (that’s 39.2 Fahrenheit), they were all in drysuits.

This Canadian shop does the drysuit ans open water bundle too:
Open Water Diver and Drysuit Certification | Ocean Pro Divers

I dove 5C in 7mm suit. It's a bit chilly. 15C is practically warm water

I find it hard to believe you dive in 5C water in 7mm, that’s quite a feat.

I start to feel the cold after 35 mins in a drysuit in 5C water.

 

[Mike1967]

you can enroll

Yes, to enrol in the drysuit course. Nowhere does it say the OW course can't be done in a drysuit.

I dove 5C in 7mm suit. It's a bit chilly. 15C is practically warm water

Everyone is different.

 

[Scott]

Just bite the bullet and start out dry. Any class including an Open Water can be done in a drysuit. The money you spend on multiple wetsuits you can invest in multiple undergarments that will allow you dive comfortably in any water temp.

 

[BlueTrin]

You can have a discount on the drysuit class if taken with the open water (usually the shop will advertise a discount already during cold months)

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

15 degrees C is about 60 degrees F. That is well within the range of a well fitting 7 mm wetsuit for many people. You might want to take a look at a MAKO 7 mm freedive suit for your kids (since you already bought a wetsuit). Our suits are extremely warm because there are no zippers to leak and no opportunity for water to leak in around the neck. Note our factory direct prices are significantly lower than a suit you will find in a dive shop and we use the best neoprene available - Yamamoto.


http://www.makospearguns.com/Wetsuits-s/94.htm

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

The only reason I can see going for a 7mm instead of a drysuit is $$$$. If you can swing it budget wise...get a drysuit.

 

[Scuba-74]

Yes, to enrol in the drysuit course. Nowhere does it say the OW course can't be done in a drysuit.

I see your point.

 

[Scuba-74]

I am pretty sure your requirement is to do the dry suit specialty alone and that you are allowed to do open water and dry suit together.

That makes sense.

I find it hard to believe you dive in 5C water in 7mm, that’s quite a feat.

I'm not saying I do it all the time, but I've done it more than once and it's manageable, albeit not very comfortable.

 

[Bowers]

Through PDIC im allowed to teach open water in drysuits providing im actually spending the extra time to cover the drysuit specialty.
my 7mm only came out for water colder than about 12-13C. if any warmer a 7-6-5 was preferred and my 3mm is for stuff about 20C or higher.
Now I dive dry and as mentioned above, if budget allows, drysuit is way better IMHO.

 

[BoltSnap]

Diving anywhere in Europe is drysuit especially if you are going to be going deeper or doing multi-dives/multi-days. If you are going to be using a 7mm, then you are better off in a drysuit. I was looking at the Evertec drysuit from SP earlier today, it is a great suit but make sure that it will fit you with the heaviest underwear you are going to be wearing for the coldest water you are going to be diving (with neoprene drysuits you will need less thermals than shell suit).