Wetsuit at COZ

[waynel]

Thanks, guys. I will get 3 mm long suit and wife will get a shorty. She is better looking one anyway!

My first dives in Coz were this past Feb. Wife and I brought 5 mil suits, not knowing what exactly to expect. We ended up buying 3 mil suits after our first day of diving. Didn't need 5 mils and certainly didn't need the extra weights. We'll be back Jan. 25th and will bring the full threes. I agree with the advise to bring something to put on during your SI to keep warm. I was actually much warmer in the water.

 

[colder down]

I have 6.5 MM semi-dry for SCAL. 3 dive a day is fine but #4 is tough. I have 100HP steel tank at home but won't carry it to COZ. I hope the dive shop I use will have steel tank. I will use "Pepe Scuba" at COZ. I worte an email to them with a few questions. So far, no response from them yet. Maybe I shall use other shop. Since, I will use my own gear, wetsuit, etc., where will I rinse them? I hope the dive shop will allow me to use their tank. I will stay at COZ for 8 days. I plan to dive for 4 days, 2 tank a day, plus one night dive.

Many thanks for all the response

 

[DandyDon]

Are you saying accidents and shorties has a connection? Id love to know more about that, but this is not the right thread..

Simply leaves skin exposed for possible scrapes on the ladder or a brush against a swim thru.

What's the connection? How many accident reports start out with "I had bacon and eggs for breakfast"? ;^)

I have been diving Cozumel in a shorty for 15+ years with no wetsuit related mishaps.

Of course not, Gordon - you're an experienced diver. I have no knowledge of the experience level of the OP. I have seen too many times and read many threads in the medical forums from divers who scraped their arms or legs wearing a shorty and wanted to know why it still hurt weeks later. I suppose I am being an alarmist here lol2: I know, nothing new there), but it is even possible to acquire a very serious infection that way.

Shorties are slightly cheaper to buy, as well as easier to fit and easier to don, but if one is going to buy a new suit, I'll still suggest a long jumpsuit always. If you already own one, the shorty can be worn over a long jumpsuit skin for good protection, but I'll wear my long over the skin just to help it slide on easier.

 

[ronski101]

A 1-2 mm hooded vest with a 3mm shorty would give you the versatility to be comfortable without the restriction of a 7mm.

 

[Nevis Diver]

Full 3mm suit, take a cap if you have it. Have a warm jacket or polar fleece pullover to put on when you get out of the water. We will be there Jan. 12-19 so we can all get together and see first hand how it works out !

 

[polysemous1]

Can only speak of my experience. Last Jan. I did 25 dives in Coz and never wore the 3 mil I brought with me. I wore a skin the entire time. I was a little chilled on 3rd dives a couple of times, but not in a major way. I did where a beanie about half way through the trip, but that was just to keep my hair back; but it might have held in some of that dome-based heat loss.

Dave

 

[colder down]

Chris, we sure can hook up.

 

[DandyDon]

Can only speak of my experience. Last Jan. I did 25 dives in Coz and never wore the 3 mil I brought with me. I wore a skin the entire time. I was a little chilled on 3rd dives a couple of times, but not in a major way. I did where a beanie about half way through the trip, but that was just to keep my hair back; but it might have held in some of that dome-based heat loss.

Dave

Yeah the beanie does help. When I was there in January, I tried my 1 mil for a couple of days, carrying my beanie in my pocket and donning it when I got chilled during a dive, and it helped instantly. The chill was getting worse tho, so I finally wore my 3 mil and it was so much better.

Again this will vary with each diver, but take more than you expect. I hope to use just my 1 or 3 in Exuma waters in a few weeks, but I make take my 5 just in case. I'd rather wear it than a 3 + vest.

 

[TSandM]

I wore my 3 mil suit with a 2 mil hooded vest in Coz. I was warm enough in the water (a little cool at the end of long -- 70 minute -- dives) but shivered badly on the boat once I got out of the water. I would wear my 5 mil suit if I were to go back.

 

[ggunn]

I wore my 3 mil suit with a 2 mil hooded vest in Coz. I was warm enough in the water (a little cool at the end of long -- 70 minute -- dives) but shivered badly on the boat once I got out of the water. I would wear my 5 mil suit if I were to go back.

FWIW, if the air is cool and dry, getting my upper body out of the wetsuit is the first thing I want to do when I get out of the water if I don't have a windbreaker. Evaporation from the suit will chill you in a hurry, and a thicker wetsuit won't help.