Starting Lessons January 04

[fins]

Hi all,

I'm starting semi-private BOW lessons in January with a friend of mine and have a couple of questions regarding equipment.

3mm one piece jumpsuit ?

I imagine the bulk of the diving I will do in the future would be in the Caribbean or southern Florida. In general would a 3mm wetsuit be sufficient protection for both the pool sessions and this type of open water?

Assuming a 3mm is sufficient I need help in selecting which brand/model.

Why the huge price disparity between models? Or maybe a better way to ask this would be...Is a $250 Henderson 3mm jumpsuit really worth the price difference over say a Mares $150 jumpsuit?

Again assuming a 3mm is sufficient what brand/model might you recommend?



Masks ?

When choosing a mask as long as fit is correct and comfortable... what would the pros/cons be of a high voume mask with a large viewing area vs a low to mid volume mask with a smaller viewing area?

I imagine the answers will be closely related to personal preference but I would be interested in what you might recommend and why.

Thanks,

 

[Warren_L]

A 3mm would be definitely something you would want, but depending on the time of year and exactly where down south you are diving, you may need something more, but that would be a good start. I have a Henderson 3mm Hyperstretch myself, and I love it. Great fit, keeps me nice and warm, and it feels great.

As for the mask, the most important criteria is fit. High volume has a bigger air space and would require a bit more air to equalize to avoid mask squeeze. Also it would require more air to clear when flooded compared to a low volume. Again, personal preference.

 

[ScoobyPat]

Congratulations!

To answer your questions: I would say that a 3mm westsuit should keep you warm until a water temp of 70F. Below that temp I would use a 5-7mm. You should be fine with the 3mm, if decide to go to the Carribean, but I would go for a little thicker suit for Florida, since the water temps there usually average 70F year-round. Keep in mind that once you go deeper, you will hit one or two thermoclines and also note that 70F water feels a lot colder than 70F air as water cools down your body a lot faster than air. Also keep in mind the location that you'll be diving after you get your cert. For starters you can always check out the local conditions and rent a suit for you course. As for the brands: I like Bare and Henderson - popular, cheap and durable.

Masks? Hm. Go for the best fit. The rest is personal preference. If you start out you might want to look into one without a purge to learn how to clear your flooded mask in the course.

 

[Izzy]

Hi,

As far as jumpsuit or wetsuit I think that you should go for a little bit thicker. You will notice that even if you dive down south it does get cool after 30-40 minutes.

 

[diverlady]

I used a 5/4ml BARE jumpsuit down south. The thing is, you can always let some water in to cool down but you're pretty much SOL if you're cold.

Diverlady

 

[DandyDon]

You want opinions? I always have opinions...

WETSUIT(s):

I always chuckle when see anyone on a boat with just a shorty, or the coat half of a farmer-john 2 piece, as they're the ones who come back with leg rashes. Long suits give not only warmth, but rash protection, and sun protection for the S-Interval.

My standard approach is a 2 suits:
(1) Lightweight skin with velour lining and 1 mil equiv thermal protection for warm waters - Florida most of the time, Caribbean alsmot all the time for me. Personal chilling will vary.
(2) 3 mil long to slid over the skin in cooler water. The skin makes the neop suit slide easier and the two give a combined 4 mil thermal protection.

:cold: Now, if you do your OW checkous up yonder this spring, you'll need more than that. Slap a 3 mil shorty over those 2 suits, and you'll have 7 mil on the torso.

I always wear a beanie:
(a) Skin beanie to protect against jellyfish (that bump lasted two weeks!)
(b) Or, a neop beanie for extra thermal protection in cooler waters.

MASKS:

Almost everyone over 40 wears glasses; you? Bi-focals?

I like the color correcting, flat-top bi-focal lenses in my mask, so I can appreciate the sights and read my guages well, both! :grwow:

don

 

[JRScuba]

I use a full .5mm long wetsuit all year for warmth and protection against scrapes, jellifish,etc. During the winter months a 3mm long over the .5mm keeps me warm in the Florida waters which are generally around 70-ish. This layering keeps me warm in the water and definitely suggest going this route. Your surface interval time is where you will feel the cold during the winter months, especially if the wind is blowing. Besure to bring something that will keep you warm during your SI or you will not enjoy the trip.
Selecting a mask is definitely a personal preference and depends on if it is right for you. I prefer clear silicone, so I do not get that closed in feeling.

Hope this will help you in your decision.
Have fun and be safe.
Joe