What do you recommend to make it pleasant?

[Capt.JimDavis]

I am 51 years old 6' tall and (unfortunately) 250lbs.
My weight is in the middle section of my buddy. You know, that typical big bear belly type. But I have still skinny arms and legs.
Is there any special recommendations that could make my OW certification dives a little more pleasant?

Everytime I look at those wetsuit catalogs their model guys have bodies like Fabio. They carry six pack abs and I carry a keg. Is there any brand out there who makes wetsuits more fitted for the people with my body type?

Also I hate cold water and when I say cold water I mean anything below 70+ degrees is cold for me. What thickness is good for people who will dive in Southern California waters but still sensitive to the temperature.
Currently water temp is 62-63 at where I am :cold: and I want to feel like it is 80 degrees.

I remember from my snorkeling days that cold water made my hands swell and made my fingers itchy and that was not a pleasant feeling.

is 2mm or 3mm enough thickness for wetsuit under the conditions I described?

And of course the mask. I have a big head and I want a really good quality mask. What do you recommend. For the mask money doesn't matter. But I don't mean that I am looking into one of those masks with the HUD.

I just want the best glass and silicone with the best visibility (undivided view) if it's possible I don't want to see the mask basically.
Thanks in advance guys...

Can't wait water to get a little warmer...So I can go for it...

 

[Grover48]

I dive So Cal water myself. I use a 7mm ScubaPro Steamer. I was in Catalina May 9 & 10 with the bottom temp at 52 degrees. I was OK on the first dive but was chilled at the end of the second dive of each day. The third dive of Saturday was a night dive but I had enough surface interval to warm up inside so it was OK again. I have since purchased a Pinnacle Merino lined hooded vest but have not tried it.

A dry suit will give you what you are looking for. Have a dry suit made for your measurements. You can dive wet with custom fitted wet suit, but at the temps you are wanting comfort, I think you will need to dive dry.

 

[thanksforallthefish]

I would agree with grover ... a drysuit sounds like it would be the way to go for you.

 

[jagfish]

We've had great success with the Whites Fusion so far (drysuit). Great mobility and they fit every shape and size we've thrown at it...

 

[spectrum]

Capt.JimDavis

Your height and weight should not pose an insurmountable problem as long as you are reasonably fit otherwise. Trust me when I say that those catalogs do not mirror the general diving population.

2-3 mm is often enough for Bonaire but forget about going far in CA with it.

For a wetsuit the simple answer is to go custom. They enable folks like you every day.

For your home waters in particular going dry from the start is certainly a nice way to go. The Whites Fusion may be the ticket for you right off the rack. I have tried one and it's a slick set-up. Otherwise conventional suits can be done in a custom cut for a little extra.

As for the mask, a large face is usually easier to fit than a narrow one. The divided view is not significant. What you will find desirable is to see down the front of your body where your gear is. One of the many low profile frameless masks or something like the Cressi Big Eyes will make things easier. Here are a few tips on dive masks. Getting into a good shop with a big selection and competent clerk is the way to find that magic slipper.

Pete

 

[The Chairman]

Not being a Fabio look alike, I enjoy my WetWear suit! They are just wonderful people and the suit is the bomb! The thicker the suit, the harder they are to get on, and I get my custom made WetWear on faster than most any of the skinny people on the boat.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Agree with Pete and Pete on the custom wetsuit --

But if you want to be really comfortable offshore in CA water temps, I'm getting behind Grover and the drysuit option for you.

There are some really lightweight drysuits out now, the Fusion is one, another is the TLS 350. I'm not familiar with the Whites line. But a custom fitted drysuit is simply one of the better options out there for cold water - however you personally define "cold".

Best,

Doc

 

[Web Monkey]

I am 51 years old 6' tall and (unfortunately) 250lbs.
My weight is in the middle section of my buddy. You know, that typical big bear belly type. But I have still skinny arms and legs.
Is there any special recommendations that could make my OW certification dives a little more pleasant?

Everytime I look at those wetsuit catalogs their model guys have bodies like Fabio. They carry six pack abs and I carry a keg. Is there any brand out there who makes wetsuits more fitted for the people with my body type?

Get a drysuit. You'll be warmer and nobody will care what you look like.

Also, with the exception of college girls on vacation in the Caribbean, pretty much everybody I dive with looks like you, so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

Also I hate cold water and when I say cold water I mean anything below 70+ degrees is cold for me. What thickness is good for people who will dive in Southern California waters but still sensitive to the temperature.

Drysuit. Maybe Dry-Gloves too.

And of course the mask. I have a big head and I want a really good quality mask. What do you recommend. For the mask money doesn't matter. But I don't mean that I am looking into one of those masks with the HUD.

This is a "try them in the pool" type thing. Stop down to the friendliest LDS in your area and ask to try a few in the pool, and if you like one, buy it there.

They may try to see if it sticks to your face in the shop (which is a pretty-good test), but nothing beats trying it in actual water.

I just want the best glass and silicone with the best visibility (undivided view) if it's possible I don't want to see the mask basically.

Because of some pesky laws of physics, all flat masks reduce your field of vision. However anything made from tempered glass should be nice and transparent. Atomic is supposed to have better glass, although given the thickness used, I'm not sure it makes a big difference.


Terry

 

[elan]

I have a big head as well and I found that ScubaPro CrystaVu mask sits perfect on my face. I never got it leaked. It is not divided and has 2 side panels which give you a bit of side vision. I do not need to turn my head much to see my buddy. And it also has a purge valve which makes purging easier

 

[ligersandtions]

A 2-3mm wetsuit is definitely NOT enough for California diving. Socal is a bit warmer than Norcal, but it's still 7mm minimum....and ideal for drysuit diving. If you want to dive more than once a day, all year round, or go deep, a drysuit is definitely the way to go. If you're content with single dives (or long surface intervals in which to warm up) on a shallow reef in the summer, a wetsuit will suffice.

You can find good deals on used drysuits....you can even find good deals on new drysuits sometimes. You can also look into getting a custom sized drysuit, but that will be a bit more expensive. What it boils down to, though, is that a drysuit is the way to go for someone who doesn't like to be cold....I'm right there with you!