Warm Water Wus?

[dmb]

I am new to this diving adventure and just completed my OW certification in Key West Florida in July. However, living in California I attempted last summer to complete my certification in California only to experience extreme problems with the 7mm wetsuit, and dive hood. The feeling around my chest made me feel like I could not breathe and despite changing wet suit sizes several times I wasn't able to complete the certification. My diving instructor hence gave me the title of warm water wus. Fast forward to this July and I was determined to complete my certification in warm water if necessary. So I travelled to Key West Florida and I had no trouble at all completing my certification. I was so happy with the diving experience in Florida that I can't wait to dive again. I am determined to face my California diving fears and dive again. However, yesterday I went to my LDS and tried on a rental wetsuit and immediately had that claustrophobic experience with the wetsuit again. My question: Is it worth it to just buy a wetsuit that would fit me or am I destined to be a warm water wus and never dive in California?

Warm Water Wus
dmb

 

[sasscuba]

Some people just don't like cold water, me included. I always dive in the Caribbean and am proud to be a warm water wuss.....welcome to the board.

 

[Tom Winters]

Dive warm for now - later on when you're more comfortable, you can go freeze your whatevers off with supreme confidence in those abalone and great white-ridden waters of California.

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

You could consider a dry suit...I've never used one, but they look roomy.

 

[Fotoz4FX]

Sounds like you might have issue with anything that causes some constriction... wetsuit or drysuit, you will experience it (as you go deeper in the drysuit you need to put air into it so you don't come out looking like a roadmap was tatooed all over you)... squeeze is part of diving dry... you manage it to your comfort level and bouyancy.
Are you destined to be a warm water wus the rest of your life?... some would like that luxury you know.
California does require 7mm or better as does the East Coast (where I reside). You don't know what you are missing though if you negate the Northern Diving from your repertuar of experiences. Its nice to dive warm but I actually do prefer the North Atlantic to most warm dive sites (except maybe the Graveyard of the Atlantic off NC).
Just dive... get yourself comfortable in perhaps a 5mm and work your way into something more cold oriented and comfortable for your body type specifically.
Sometimes just not zipping all the way up is the cure... try it.

 

[divinginn]

a good fitting wetsuit would probably,try some on at the lds and see if you find some that fit better,a henderson hyperstretch might work for you,not cheap though.

 

[Rafael]

I will recommend you the Henderson hyperstretch too, is very nice and comfortable, in my case i use a dry suit, but i like to dive wet as much as i can, i find wet suits more comfortable than dry suits, plus is one less piece of equipment i have to worry about while diving

 

[Buoyant1]

I hate my 7mm!!! (there I said it!) I LOVE my 3mm!

I've just started using the 7mm in the local quarry, and it's tough to get used to after only diving the 3mm since I started. I've never been one to cramp while diving, and so far every time I've worn it, I've cramped, I don't think it's THAT restrictive in the legs, but....

Wednesday night I'm going to do a thorough weight check since I've been diving more frequently, maybe I'll need less weight, have to work less at moving it, and hopefully not cramp up. IF that doesn't work...I'm destined to be a warm water wuss!!!

(maybe we ought to have them start a thread topic for us! hahaha!!! Warm Water Wuss' that don't live in tropical areas)

 

[BIGSAGE136]

Welcome to the womb. You will develope in due time. We'll be watching. Relax and enjoy.

 

[BiggDawg]

... yesterday I went to my LDS and tried on a rental wetsuit and immediately had that claustrophobic experience with the wetsuit again. My question: Is it worth it to just buy a wetsuit that would fit me or am I destined to be a warm water wus and never dive in California?

Warm Water Wus
dmb

I did my OW checkouts (oh, these many years ago) in 50 degree water. Had a rented wetsuit. They had no more rental hoods, so they took one off of a manikin that had been modified by removing the neck. What a miserable experience.

I subsequently bought my own custom-fitted 3/8" suit. What a difference! The rentals never fit right, I felt as you did, constricted and unable to breathe. With the custom one (while it was constricting as all wetsuits properly fit will restrict some movement), it was great. Custom was made by Henderson, through a little dive shop on Long Island (NY).

Now, however, I prefer to dive in warm water, anyway. I've done cold, I've done warm. Warm is infinitely better. Does that make me a cold water wuss? Oh, well, so be it! I don't have anything to prove anymore. This is supposed to be fun, and I don't see freezing as fun!

BD