Thermal Protection thread

[YellowfinKunkfish]

Dive shirts with fleece offer some additional help in that holding the water.

I haven't seen anything like this, where I can I find them?? I am interested in something like this, so I can lose the hooded vest. It's the main reason I haven't gone diving lately, I hate the thought of putting that thing on. I always get stuck in it, and I can barely move.

Rhonda

 

[scubashawn123]

What do I do ?

' Basically I just try not to think about it being cold and enjoy the dive.

I have warm blood........................




SO

 

[Crazyduck]

Rhonda,

Bare Wetsuits sell these items.

I have the Chillguard and I always wear it with any wetsuit.
Chillguard- BARE Scuba Diving - USA
It makes it easier to get into and out of the suit. Plus, on the dive boat I pull down my wetsuit and it provides sun protection.

(this is very interesting, I need to take a look at this product)
Barrier- BARE Scuba Diving - USA

Another option would be to look at Under Amour- Academy Sports sells it pretty cheap.
First I would look at a base layer top or the long sleeve heat guard and at the same time by the long pants for your legs.
Take them home and try them on under your wetsuit before yanking off the tags.
(watch the video and you easily see what I mean when you start looking for a chillguard or under armor.)

This is the submerge Productions interview with fourth Element-
Submerge Productions > Action! > Interviews

Another problem is stores fit people too tight and you cannot fit anything under either.
I tend to buy suits that are slightly looser than the stores want; oh well.
Another real issue is the suit itself.
Seals in the neck, wrist and ankles are the known leak points; high quality suits do a better job with those seals.

Happy hunting
If I can help any more please yell.

Andrew

I haven't seen anything like this, where I can I find them?? I am interested in something like this, so I can lose the hooded vest. It's the main reason I haven't gone diving lately, I hate the thought of putting that thing on. I always get stuck in it, and I can barely move.

Rhonda

 

[YellowfinKunkfish]

Those are awesome links, thank you!! Maybe I'll get to go diving in January after all!

Rhonda

 

[k-valve]

Lots of good advice here!

One of the things 27 years in Alaska taught me about staying warm is to layer my undergarments. If you are looking at a real cold water dive start with a layer of thin material (polyester, silk, polartec, smartwool). Follow that with a mid-weight polartec or other microfleece product. The best places I've found for these types of undergarments is REI or Cabela's.

The final layer will depend on the water temp. I prefer 1-piece jumpsuits. I have a Whites's 200g microfleece and a 400g 4th Element SubXero 2-piece. They tend to be a little pricey, but are great undergarments. You could probably stay just as warm with another mid-weight or hvyweight polartec product though...and spend a lot less money.

Stay away from real poofy fleece. It'll make you way too bouyant and require a lot of extra weight.

As far as staying warm out of the water goes diving dry is really the only option. You hop outta that drysuit dry and warm. Then you strip off the appropriate amount of undergarment and you're good to go...without any teeth chattering.

 

[drydiver]

Another vote for smart wool worn under the manu supplied undergarment (MK3 with Whites Fusion) thin and warm. I use smart wool socks for the same reason. However, at some point I had an ongoing leak in my neck seal (too big after replacement) and used a Carol Davies one piece and when wet, that was far superior.

 

[Timeliner]

I guess I'm just a cheep Bass Turd so I have not been diving dry (yet)
Below 40 F I think it's a really good idea to dive dry.
I still stick with the mind control thing but I offer these suggestions if you dive wet in the Winter.

It's a 12 step Program.....

1. Kiss Your Wife Before you Leave the House !!!! ( 'warms me up )

2. Always stop at Whataburger and have a great breakfast before hand. 2 or 3 Bacon-Egg-Potato & Cheese Barittos should do nicely.
Hot sauce if your so inclined will help provide a inner flame through out the day.

3. two hoods work better then one.

4. wear some spandex or something like it under it all and bring an extra set for the second dive.

5. wear socks... wool if you have them . they feel good too ! I wear some kind of socks all year when I dive just because they feel good on my feet. Wool will keep your feet warm even when wet so that is a plus.

6. Apply some dry skin lotion to your face before the dive. I don't think it has any thermal effect but it makes you feel good and that is half the struggle . It will protect your skin from that nasty cold water burn and the flaky skin you usually get after a Winter dive.
( KY makes a 'Warming Gel" and we'll have to see if that has any promise other then those implied. )

7. don't Pee in your suit. Save the warmth inside you !! You'll be surprised at how long you can go if you "just say no" the first few times you get the urge. Besides, you might need that rush of warm liquid in an emergency to free up a frozen First or Second Stage Regulator

8. don't take Aspirin just deal with what ever pain you have. It thins the blood and make you loose heat anyway so save it for later.

9. don't waste time thinking about sex to try and warm up when your cold underwater. It won't work. There is a reason they call it Frigid !

9. One of the worst times for me is getting out of the water and changing into dry clothes if the surface temp. is colder then the water. If you don't use the traditional Amish Dive Services that some of us have come to admire and cherish then prep before hand and have it all set up and ready to get out of your gear fast and into something warm when you get out.

10. The worst time for me is getting back into a wet / cold suit for dive #2. This just sucks but so what. dealing with the cold is a weight lose plan that actually works and should without a doubt eliminate all evidence of the 3 Super Breakfast Barittos you had that morning.

11. Always tell your self what a great time you are having even when it's really painful.

12. When diving, Always look behind you for your buddy as this will let the cold water just flow into your neck seal and glide unobstructed down your back and remind you just how Lucky you are to be a ""Winter Time Diver""

 

[Zinc]

 

[Phil_218]

Has anyone ever tried wearing an under armor shirt under their wetsuit for additional warmth? If so, does it work?

I often wear an Under Armor shirt and spandex bicycle shorts under my wetsuit when diving. I do not know if it provides any additional warmth, but I doubt it does.

Yesterday, I dove in 48(F) water, but was able to stay warm. My exposure protection was a Henderson 7/5mm jumpsuit, 6.5mm hood, 5mm gloves, and 5mm boots. The dive was comfortable, but seemed a bit chilled near the end.

After taking my SCUBA unit off prior to exiting, I got a sudden rush of cold water. My buddy then told me my zipper had came open because I had not secured it at the neckline. So that explained why the water seemed a little chillier the second time in.

However, even through my oversight with the zipper, I was still able to stay comfortable enough on the dive.

 

[muddiver]

After spending 7 years working in Siberia, I have learned first-hand the value of silk. It retains its insulating qualities when wet and is extremely thin. I always start my layering with silk. I like to stay with natural fibers if possible so I also layer with wool over the silk. I even have silk socks!

Last week I had a catastrophic drysuit flood when a wrist seal (installed by an "approved" facility) popped off on my Bare 7mm drysuit. It is one of those wrist seals that kind of snap in. Well, they snap out too!

I kept as much flooding out of the suit as possible and returned to shore. It was about 30 minutes before I had everything back to the vehicle and could strip the suit off. I had water throughout the entire suit. I was completely soaked! However, I was not cold (well, until I stripped the suit off!) Outside the temperature was below freezing.

You should have seen the "steam" coming off of my undergarments! careful now!

I find that hunting stores carry very high grade and thicker silk. I got mine from Cabelas.

I bought a used dry suit that appeared to be in good condition. Well on a working dive off the west coast in 48 or 50 deg water I found out the cuff seams were dry rotted out. Filled up both arms, but my Viking fleece lined under garment with polertech underwear keept me warm for the full 45 min. dive. Sold that suit to some poor sucker in the mid west!