westuit mm thickness in 72 degrees

[Wristshot]

Of course everyone's tolerance for temperature is different, but his recommendations look good. Especially his point about how chilled you get sitting waiting while other students are doing their drills during check out dives.

The coldest I have ever been on a dive was a check out dive waiting near the bottom while several students had to repeat mask drills etc. Not the coldest water temp, but the coldest I ever felt.

For me, my .5mm is fine above 76 degrees, but below 74 I switched to the 3mm. The 7mm only gets used for 65 and below. For some people anything below 90 degrees requires multiple layers.

Remember that if you wear too thick a wetsuit, you need extra weight, and you sacifice some freedom of movement, but you may be able to let in some water to cool yourself if you get too warm. If you dress too lightly and you get cold, there are very few options for getting yourself warmer. Slightly warm is generally easier to live with than slightly cold.

The above opinions do not necessarily reflect those of management.

Wristshot

 

[jplacson]

You shouldn't rely too much on what others use... but on the average, I see most people use about a 3mm in those temps.

I'm comfy in a 1.5mm in 72 deg waters and warmer and most people can't believe I don't feel cold.

Here's the thing... do NOT get a suit that's too thin... you should feel warm underwater... the warmer the better... even in tropical waters. It lessens chances of DCS. I would've gotten a 3mm if I felt cold, but I don't... so I'm fine. I'm very particular about this issue because I personally feel that this is one aspect that may be the 'invisible hand' in a lot of 'undeserved hit' cases since most people don't put that much importance on wetsuit fit, or warmth.

My 1.5mm suit is snug... ALL AROUND... not a single area of it is the least bit loose in any way. I used to have a 3mm, that was a bit flappy around the small of my back, and my new SNUG 1.5mm suit feels a lot warmer (I actually break the neck seal while diving sometimes just to cool off a bit when the waters are about 75)

 

[Rick Murchison]

Here's what I recommend, being in both rivers fairly often.
1. 5-7mm full suit.
2. 3mm full suit, with hood

I concur with this.
Rick

 

[metaldector]

I dive 72 degree water frequently, in fresh water springs all winter long. Anything less than 3mm for me is cold. I have dove with others who wear a shorty and no leg covering at all, but these guys are BIG men (280 to 350 lbs.). It is better IMO to be on the warm side to being cold. Once the body core temperature decreases it is very hard to get warm again.

 

[chrpai]

I dive 72 degree water frequently, in fresh water springs all winter long. Anything less than 3mm for me is cold. I have dove with others who wear a shorty and no leg covering at all, but these guys are BIG men (280 to 350 lbs.). It is better IMO to be on the warm side to being cold. Once the body core temperature decreases it is very hard to get warm again.

I dive 75f water at Blue Lagoon Scuba in a .5mil and 7mil hood. For 72f I'd reccomend the hood and a 3mil shorty. Farmer John if you think you'll be cold or have concerns of abrasion with anything in the river.