Wetsuit, How Cold?

[TeddyDiver]

At 3C with 7+5, and my buddy did ones icedive with similar wetsuit. No problem to take 20-30 min dive but brr how cold to change clothes...

 

[wardric]

I took my ice diving cours in 1996 and used a wetsuit so water at the surface was of course at the freezing point ( around 32). Deeper, it got a little warmer (around 40). I used a 7mil. two pieces wetsuit. feet were cold before I was in the water but better in the water. these were mostly 30 min dives.

Like Teddy says, the worst part is between dives but we had a heated army style tent.

 

[Jonny_Rocket]

I did 20 minutes in a 6.5 mil one piece with 5 mil hood and gloves in 36* water with near matching surface temp. The guy in the drysuit thumbed the dive though.

 

[spectrum]

What is the coldest water you have dived in a wetsuit? It would be interesting to know the air temperture, as well.

Just curious about this. Of course the total thickness of the wetsuit would also come into play.

Jeff

I haven't been onto the 30s F so nothing too excessive.

I was skin-diving early last April in a 5mmfull suit ans a 3/5 hooded chicken vest. I knew I was in 40 degree water but I was OK for the 30 minute outings. I would have stayed in longer but visibility was lousy. The air temp was just about equal but it was in a strong spring sun so changing back was no big deal at all. Much milder than after the night dive we made. For changing out of wet suits we have just entered the worst months. These dives were before I got my 7mm.

As for scuba I've been down into 42 & 44 F freshwater a number of times and again I could feel the cold around me but felt protected. Time in the cold was only in the 15-20 miunte range. They were summer dives so above the thermocline and topside were not a problem at all, except being too hot on shore. Some were in a 7mm full suit ans 3/5 hooded chicken vest some were in 7mm full suit and 7mm hooded step-in vest.

4 weeks ago ago we made back to back 50 minute dives in 50F water and were totally fine. The air temp was about 50 as well. Wind protection during the surface interval was essential.

I think the whole equation is a delicate balance of personal and gear charicteristics. There is the thermal safety side but also mind over matter. If you don't mind then it don't matter. If a diver is tollerant and well suited a single cold water dive is pretty well acepted as doable.

Go ahead and ask Santa for the drysuit. It's the right thing to do especially from November through mid May up here. Yes there are some trade-offs in bulk and perhaps some extra weight. The task loading is minimal and more than made up for my the comfort. That being said I can't wait to dive wet again.

Pete

 

[skeet]

48 degree water, air was in the 30's, wearing a 7mm one piece with a hooded 4mm under that

 

[Jamdiver]

As an avowed warm water wussie.
Air temp was probably mid 80's, water temp was about 74F.

Brrrrrrr, chilly !!

 

[cummings66]

42 Degree water, 46 air temps, 1 hour under with a 7mm suit. Felt perfectly comfortable until I got out, then the wind chilled me. Wasn't fun until after I got out of the wetsuit.

I've done those temps many times with no problems, it's only after I'm out of the water that I've got cold.

I'm starting to dive with a drysuit now because I don't believe I could handle temps very long once they get into the upper 30's and I just don't care for the SI when the outside air temps get cold.

 

[joe rock]

What is the coldest water you have dived in a wetsuit? It would be interesting to know the air temperture, as well.

Just curious about this. Of course the total thickness of the wetsuit would also come into play.

Jeff

Last dive was a 3 dive day, air temperature in the 40's. Water temp was 52F. 7mm farmer john, I had no problems at all feeling cold. Longest dive was around 40 minutes.

I don't own a dry suit yet (can't afford it), but that all might change in the spring when the water temps are high 30's low 40's at depth

 

[Darnold9999]

34 degrees at the surface 45 below 25 degree air - never again. January 1st "cure" for a hangover. Did I say never again!!!

 

[HowardE]

I'll admit it... I love the warm water.

Coldest water temp - 74F
Air Temp - 64F
Exposure Suit - 7mm Full - no Hood

that's cold enough for me.