Wetsuit Thickness & Water Temperature

[spectrum]

Any tips or advice? Thanks!

Get a marine survival suit. They are made for quick donning and will give you the best chance if you need to abandon ship.

Pete

 

[wetwillieVA]

Thanks for everybody's reply! Figured this would be the place to ask since you folks jump in the water willingly for hours at a time--lol!! In any case, I now have a general idea of what's appropriate (and some of the dynamics involved). Before, I had no idea. Actually, I'm a bit surprised at how little protection (in terms of water temp) a 5mm wetsuit provides.

Most of my riding will be in 75+ deg water, mostly in the SE part of the country. Not too concerned about these warmer water temps. My primary concern is riding around the southern CA area, where water temps range from 55-65 degrees during the spring and summer.

Smurf_Doc mentioned using a signaling device. Good idea. When conditions warrant I/we strap on a backpack with an EPRIB/PLB, flares, mirror, VHF radio, strobe, water, and food, packed inside. After reading your replies maybe I should consider a dry-suit, too

 

[davetowz]

My answer to this is... whadda you mean you don't dive! get with the program and get underwater and sell the jetski to buy dive gear.

 

[The Kraken]

I think Bratface came up with a pretty good recommendation.

the K

 

[wetwillieVA]

Funny stuff! Didn't see it until today 'cause my browser wasn't loading graphics the other day for some reason. Thanks for the laugh

Kill switch lanyard on one wrist



and this on the other

with one of these in one pocket

with these mixed in

to be washed down with this

or perhaps you would prefer this

and include with the photos

one of these

or just one of these

But personally I would ditch these

unless I had a prior engagement

or had a penchant for raw fish.


.

 

[wetwillieVA]

After reading everybody's input decided to purchase a 5mm wetsuit; however, I found a new, full Sea Elite Xflex 7mm online for $59. I already own a full 3mm wetsuit for warmer conditions. Anywhoser, went ahead and ordered it since it was their very last one (it's returnable). Was a little concerned about the reduced flexibility of a 7mm, but the dive shop told me they're as flexible as a regular 3mm neoprene wetsuit. Does everyone agree? Also, was wondering if there is any compromise in protection with this type of "super-stretch" neoprene as opposed to a "regular" 7mm neoprene wetsuit. Thanks!

 

[freewillie]

Superstretch is more flexible giving grater range motion with less restriction of movement. The trade off is not quite as warm standard neoprene. Hope that helps.

 

[RonFrank]

Was a little concerned about the reduced flexibility of a 7mm, but the dive shop told me they're as flexible as a regular 3mm neoprene wetsuit. Does everyone agree?

Yeah, and Salesmen NEVER lie! Especially in a bad economy right?

You we fed a line of BS. If the suit is comfortable then so be it. I assume you tried it on? A 7mm will not be nearly as flexible as a 3mm regardless of how many folks tell you it is. Keep in mind as 7mm materials improve, so do 3mm materials.

My thought is that you spend most of your time topside, or in 8 feet of water or less. Where you live that is bathwater in the summer, and still reasonable in the winter.

Why you would become separated from you craft is beyond me. That and maybe a buddy system are the two issues you should be addressing. A 7mm suit will not keep one alive in 60F water for much over 24 hours.

IMO you have made a worthless purchase, but then again if you spend a lot of time on the Chesapeake in the winter, maybe not. My thought, a 7mm will be damn hot on a sunny mild winter day....

If you are worried about a swim to shore, maybe invest in a good set of fins...

 

[Mike]

Is there a general rule-of-thumb or some kind of chart that shows the relationship between wetsuit thickness (3/2mm, 5mm, etc.), water temperature, and maximum/minimum time before hypothermia sets in?

Although I don't dive, I do ride a PWC offshore occasionally on the east and west coast. I'm trying to prepare for the worst case survival situation where I might get separated from my PWC and have to spend time in the water before being picked-up or rescued.

Any tips or advice? Thanks!

When you want charts you have to usually look toward a military application. This airforce document has a lot of good information in it once you spend some time reading through it.

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA446406

 

[wetwillieVA]

RonFrank, I hear where you're coming from You'd be surprised how easy it is for even a strong swimmer to get separated from a PWC in rough conditions--I've seen it, I believe it. Agreed, the buddy system is imperative, but I'm a firm believer that anything's possible--both good and bad. As I mentioned in my post, I have a 3mm for warmer water on the east coast (and a skin suit). A 5/7mm is for the west coast where it's cool year around. If the 7mm will keep me alive in 60 deg water for 24 hours that's great--longer than I expected actually. With an EPIRB/PLB, VHF, flares, etc. strapped to my person, I think that gives me a reasonable chance of getting rescued. Funny, you mentioned the fins--always have a snorkel outfit onboard my PWC--for recreation and safety.

Yeah, and Salesmen NEVER lie! Especially in a bad economy right?

You we fed a line of BS. If the suit is comfortable then so be it. I assume you tried it on? A 7mm will not be nearly as flexible as a 3mm regardless of how many folks tell you it is. Keep in mind as 7mm materials improve, so do 3mm materials.

My thought is that you spend most of your time topside, or in 8 feet of water or less. Where you live that is bathwater in the summer, and still reasonable in the winter.

Why you would become separated from you craft is beyond me. That and maybe a buddy system are the two issues you should be addressing. A 7mm suit will not keep one alive in 60F water for much over 24 hours.

IMO you have made a worthless purchase, but then again if you spend a lot of time on the Chesapeake in the winter, maybe not. My thought, a 7mm will be damn hot on a sunny mild winter day....

If you are worried about a swim to shore, maybe invest in a good set of fins...