The right wetsuit

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del_mo

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Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
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Location
South Carolina
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My wife and I are getting ready for our open water tests. We both have 3mm shorties which worked well in the pool. For diving in 70-72 degree water, will that be enough? The shorties worked well in 78 degree water for two three-hour stints. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
 
At that temp, I'd be looking at a 5mm full suit minimum. If you are hot-blooded, then you might get by, but I'd be wanting a full suit at the very least with a hood and booties.

I was in 68 degree water a few days ago, and found a 7mm farmer john quite comfortable. So maybe I'm a cold weenie.
 
del_mo:
My wife and I are getting ready for our open water tests. We both have 3mm shorties which worked well in the pool. For diving in 70-72 degree water, will that be enough? The shorties worked well in 78 degree water for two three-hour stints. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

I don't Llike Shorties at all. I've seen too many scrapes from wrecks, boat ladders, etc. But if you own them, you own them.

I like Longs - Got a skin, a 1 mil, a 3 mil, a 5 mil, and a 7 mil, and - one 3 mil Shorty I can wear on top of the 7 if I ever hit water that I can't handle in the 7. I'll often pack 4 suits for various possibilities on a trip. I wore the 7 over the 1 in 50oF water last May, and with a neop beanie, gloves, and heavy booties - that worked. Just felt like the Michelin Man.

Everyone has different needs. If I knew your respective ages, heights & weights, I could speculate, but too much is certainly better than not enough. Too, women tend to need more protection, and you tend to need more as you get more experienced and better. So, get a couple of 5 mil Longs, neop gloves, beanie, and booties for now.
 
I did my OW checkout in a 7 mil FJ. Surface temp was mid 60's but when we got to the dive platforms at 30 ft and hit the thermocline, the temp dropped to 50. Ask your instructor what they suggest or what they are wearing and what the colded temp you will be diving in. I don't know what water temps are like in SC. I think your instructor or your LDS may be your best source for information.
 
I own several skins, a 3mm, 5mm and a 7mm and a shorty to show off to my wife but it's a good idea to keep several different ones. Just in case you would like to do cold water Dives.
 
You can get 3 mil shorties and full suits for not a lot of $$ at places like Costco.

If your not sure try these first. I just bought another shortie from Costco for $39.00. Worked the daylights out of it for two days in some horrible conditions and 74df water.

I have another full 33 mil suit I paid $49.00 for over ten years ago and it is still doing fine. Try those first before spending lots of cash.

Gary D.
 
Unlike actual diving, you will be spending most of your time during your cert dives just kneeling on the bottom or hovering in one place. Less effort expended = less heat generated. Rent a 5 mm or 7 mm full suit for the weekend, and preferably a 3 mm or 5 mm hood. It's GOOD to be comfy.

theskull
 
del_mo:
My wife and I are getting ready for our open water tests. We both have 3mm shorties which worked well in the pool. For diving in 70-72 degree water, will that be enough? The shorties worked well in 78 degree water for two three-hour stints. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
For 72 degree water i use a 3mm jumpsuit and a hooded west,works fine for me. ;)
 
Thanks for the input. Looks like 5mm is the way to start off.
 

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