wet or dry?

[dougd]

My wife and I have just certified in the nice warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. However, as we live in the Pacific Northwest, we could use some advice on whether we can get away with wet suits here in our 50 degree water, or whether a dry suit is a must.

Remember, that we're just starting out and the money only goes so far.

 

[Dryglove]

I would highly suggest a drysuit especially for 50 deg water.Its nice not to have 50deg water run down your back when you move your head.Just think how nice your surface intervals will be while your dry and not shivering from being soaked in your wetsuit in cooler weather.There are some pretty good low priced drysuits out now.Talk to your local dive shop and see what they can offer you.If they are out of your reach money wise i know of some good mail order places if your interrested.Make sure you get proper training for using a drysuit as it is quite a bit different than using a wetsuit.Here is review of drysuits under 1000.00 from rodales.Even though they are far from my favorite magazine i thought this was a good article. http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/dryunder1k/

You might also wanna check out some of the nice semi dry wetsuits if a drysuit is out of your reach. I know bare and mares make some really nice suits.But for the priceof a high quality semi dry wetsuit you can darn near buy a drysuit.Hope this helps!!

 

[aquamann]

My wife and I also dive in the NW and I would highly recommend drysuits.We started diving in wetsuits but my wife would get so cold. We broke down and bought drysuits and they were worth every penny. The surface intervals have become warm snack breaks and diving is a year round activity now, especially in the NW where the diving conditions are best in the winter months for visibility in places like the Puget Sound or the Hood Canal.We bought the USIA shell suits and we are extremely happy with them. Get the drys and you won't regret it.:bang:

 

[dougd]

Thanks. Since posting my question I've been checking out semi-dry suits. Very attractive since we are new to the sport and won't have to waste mental energy on dry suit buoyancy, hopefully leaving more grey matter to learning other aspects of diving. I also see that a semi-dry with an over jacket could also double as a warmer water suit. We do still intend to return to tropical waters once a year or so!

Other than Mares, who seem to have a big name (big name prices?) what other manufacturers do you reccomend?

 

[ERP]

I really would suggest buying the drysuits. If you continue to dive in the PNW you'll buy them at some point anyway.

You'll be more comfortable in the drysuit and you'll dive more often.

I dove wet up here for a short while after I got my C-card. The 50 degree water temperature isn't the issue, the air temperature is.

If you go wet you will not have any fun during any surface interval or even just getting changed at the end of a dive.

I have never used a semi-dry suit, but I suspect it would have the same issues as a wetsuit during surface intervals and post dive.

 

[Uncle Pug]

dougd once bubbled...
semi-dry suits. Very attractive since we are new to the sport and won't have to waste mental energy on dry suit buoyancy

Actually you might find that semi-drysuits add difficulty to the buoyancy control situation at the end of the dive... and will require you to wear more weight.

 

[Welshman]

DougD

If you are considering a semi-dry then have a look at the Scubapro Scotia. It is a 6.5mm suit and the seals at neck, wrist and ankle are very good. Mine let's virtually no water in - it is so warm that I sweat.

However, although my semi-dry is excellent I am still going to get a dry suit within the next few weeks. I noticed that my dry suit clad fellow divers would be changed and back in their ordinary wear within 5 minutes of finishing the dive whereas I would still be wrenching the semi-dry off and towelling myself down. I'll keep the semi-dry in case i go somewhere where my 3mm wet suit is insufficient.

Hope this helps.

regards

 

[Uncle Pug]

check your private messages