Staying warm during SI in a wetsuit

[decapoddiver]

a Nice wallmart down coat works great its very light and much warm

Sure. Until the down gets wet and then it's not warm at all I'd stick with thinsulate.

 

[notabob]

Well, hot/warm water in the suit pre-dive will help staying warmer. As far as keeping warm between dives - if the air is cold enough that it becomes that much of a concern and you're still diving wet, consider only making one dive. I'll take one dive and getting warm quick afterwards over two and a miserable SI any day. Or go dry.

-Roman.

 

[Bob3]

Another vote for the windbreaker deck coat, long tailed version.
and another vote for a big Coleman jug with warm - hot water to dump into the suit, that's how we used to go ice diving with wetsuits.
Get some half-kilo bars of Belgian chocolate. It won't help that much with staying warm, but having the rest of gang huddling around you mooching snacks will cut the wind.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Posted by decapoddiver

"Sure. Until the down gets wet and then it's not warm at all I'd stick with thinsulate."

I dont think hes going in the water with the down coat

I use one on the boat and yet to get it wet. We are assuming he also dries off before putting on the warm clothes"

 

[johnnyseko]

I was just checking out some items at the LDS for the cold weather....

A .5mil skin and a 1.5mil vest to wear under the 7mil suit. Also checked out 'dry' gloves (henderson) that were a real pain to get on - buddy required, but apparently keep you dry and thus hopefully warmer in the fingers. Also a neat liner to wear under your hood (forget what its called) with a cut out for your eyes and mouth only - your mask actually seals to the liner, not your skin, so the only thing touching the water is your lips.

As far as the SI - even if I attempt a second dive, I think I'll be in my car with the heat on full blast and hope for the best. Definitely loading up on calories with the power bars and some hot beverage. Soup sounds like a good idea. Pouring hot water into the suit is a plus - they did that on the boat when the bottom temp was 45, but that 'warm' feeling goes away quick and I think it actually made the water feel cooler on the second dive.

See you at Folly in January??

 

[decapoddiver]

I dont think hes going in the water with the down coat

I use one on the boat and yet to get it wet. We are assuming he also dries off before putting on the warm clothes"

Well, you are the only person I have ever heard of who can remain completely dry and not get a jacket wet while switching tanks, emptying catch bags, moving gear etc during the SI. I stand corrected.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Just be careful using those ice masks. If the reg falls out of your mouth and the material then slides over your lips you may have trouble getting the reg back in your mouth. This happened to a diver on an Ice diving expedition I read about so just be aware of that fact. If those Henderson gloves work well let me know how they are; I'de like a pair other than the bulky type of dry gloves.

I dont believe in the warm water trick either never worked for me. To each his own I guess.

 

[johnnyseko]

Just be careful using those ice masks. If the reg falls out of your mouth and the material then slides over your lips you may have trouble getting the reg back in your mouth. This happened to a diver on an Ice diving expedition I read about so just be aware of that fact.

I saw that thread as well, and questioned the owner of the LDS about exactly that. He said it should not be an issue.....but of course he would. Good to be aware of the potential issue and you can be sure that will be the first thing I practice if I do purchase my new cold weather gear. I'll be practicing switching regs before even touching the water!

 

[spectrum]

Posted by decapoddiver

"Sure. Until the down gets wet and then it's not warm at all I'd stick with thinsulate."

I dont think hes going in the water with the down coat

I use one on the boat and yet to get it wet. We are assuming he also dries off before putting on the warm clothes"

I always thought the intent of the dive parka was to wear it over the wetsuit after the dives.

 

[spectrum]

I'm thinking that 2x 7mm on the core is implied here. Either a john/jacket or a fullsuit and sleeveless step-in hooded shortie, They add up to the same material build-up. Additional skins and undervests may help but as I remember threads from last winter the hands and feet are often the weak link. I'll find out soon enough.

Pete

I was just checking out some items at the LDS for the cold weather....

A .5mil skin and a 1.5mil vest to wear under the 7mil suit. Also checked out 'dry' gloves (henderson) that were a real pain to get on - buddy required, but apparently keep you dry and thus hopefully warmer in the fingers. Also a neat liner to wear under your hood (forget what its called) with a cut out for your eyes and mouth only - your mask actually seals to the liner, not your skin, so the only thing touching the water is your lips.

As far as the SI - even if I attempt a second dive, I think I'll be in my car with the heat on full blast and hope for the best. Definitely loading up on calories with the power bars and some hot beverage. Soup sounds like a good idea. Pouring hot water into the suit is a plus - they did that on the boat when the bottom temp was 45, but that 'warm' feeling goes away quick and I think it actually made the water feel cooler on the second dive.

See you at Folly in January??