Wetsuit thickness

[simbrooks]

You may have noticed that Kev, our DM, was in his 7mm throughout the dives on saturday, Krista was in a 5mm full (recently ditching a 2mm jane and 3mm jacket) and me a 3mm full - others who knows?? The only thing i wonder about the two piece deals are the gaps you get between the john/jane and the jacket giving room for a more water than the rest of the suit - which would be colder. A 7mm suit is mighty thick though for FL waters, but i know people who use them. Chances are your hood was a 3mm, it looked about that thick. The suggestion of a shorty over a full suit is much more acceptable IMO when compared to farmer john/jane and jacket. Check out Divers Direct in your area (one in WPB, sure there must be one in Ft Lauderdale), they usually have a good range, although cost might be debatable at times. Krista and i went on a hunt the other day to get her a winter suit for the upcoming season, a similar trip might help you see who is selling what.....

What were you wearing in the summer, did you make it down to skins when the water was mid-80's? I would aim at min full 5mm, maybe a 7mm, possibly add on your current shorty to that and you should be fine Oh and a good dive parka or some other warm clothing for the trip in/out and SI might help keep the heat in.

 

[peterjmaerz]

hey down4fun,

Another Ft. Lauderdale diver here. The only time I get down to a 3 mil jumpsuit is when the water gets above 84 degrees! Never wear just a skin. I dive a 5 down to about 78 degrees and then use a Gold Core 3/5 (3 mil body, 5 hood) hooded vest under the 5, down to about 74 which is about as cold as I've done.

The vest really adds substantial core warmth (equivalent to 8 mil, of course) and, because the hood completely seals your upper body, keeps you from losing body heat.

I long ago stopped worrying about being razzed for my neoprene addiction. I just smile when I'm basking in warmth as others are shivering!

BTW, during the warmer months, you'll see me aboard the Scubatyme out of Pompano most Sunday afternoons.

Regards,

 

[slingshot]

I have to agree with the slick lining, under whatever name you find it (gold core, etc). The big plus besides ease of entry is that it dries faster and is more resistant to that wet suit funky smell. Not that my wet suits have ever smelled worse than a fresh alpine meadow in springtime!

 

[down4fun]

You may have noticed that Kev, our DM, was in his 7mm throughout the dives on saturday,.

I saw that,it made me not feel so bad

What were you wearing in the summer, did you make it down to skins when the water was mid-80's? I would aim at min full 5mm, maybe a 7mm, possibly add on your current shorty to that and you should be fine Oh and a good dive parka or some other warm clothing for the trip in/out and SI might help keep the heat in.

I dove my shorty during the summer with the exceptionof my trip to Cay Sal Bank when I just wore a bathing suit and my BC. That was great
Looks like it is time to go shopping

 

[down4fun]

hey down4fun,
I long ago stopped worrying about being razzed for my neoprene addiction. I just smile when I'm basking in warmth as others are shivering!,

They tease me when I am shiverin too so I might as well be warm and teased

BTW, during the warmer months, you'll see me aboard the Scubatyme out of Pompano most Sunday afternoons.

Kewl. I dive with Parrot Island a lot we always see Scubatyme going out the inlet.

 

[Gwyl]

Hi. I have just moved to FL from SF so I can relate to this thread on bbbbbbbbbbbbbrrrrrr ... cold water diving.

Your suit should indicate thickness -- a tag inside or sometimes stamped near the wrist. As noted, more often than not, the thicknesses of the full suit and the accompanying vest/shorty et al are the same.

For me, the tempt you describe are relatively tropical

Any suggestions as to where to get my baptism with FL diving? Any dive clubs to recommend? I am looking for dive buddies.

Thanks!

Gwyl

 

[Beppe]

Ahhh....at last I found out....55°F is about 13°C...so considering that you're talking about 74-77 which is....er...well,I think that a 5mm two piece suit(10mm on the chest)would suffice.But I must say that I used to dive in a 7mm semydry suit in the summer here in the Med(temp.around 20°-22°C which is.... :06: )and it felt quite comfy.A bit confusing eh? I just wanted to be helpful Can somebody please tell me a simple and straight way to convert Fahrenheit in Celsius? I'm all right with feet,pounds,miles etc. but useless when it comes down to temperature.... Anyway I still miss my old semydry

 

[El Orans]

Beppe,

have a look here: http://www.wbuf.noaa.gov/tempfc.htm

Laurens

 

[scubatoys]

But I must say that I used to dive in a 7mm semydry suit in the summer here ...and it felt quite comfy. Anyway I still miss my old semydry

Since you already have the full 3 mil and the shorty... I'm thinking a 6.5 mil Semi-Dry might be the next logical suit. It will have less buoyancy than doing a farmer john/jane with overalls, and keep you warmer.

 

[Beppe]

Beppe,

have a look here: http://www.wbuf.noaa.gov/tempfc.htm

Laurens

So grateful.Thanks mate,you're my friend for life