What to Expect with a Wetsuit

[Greg Di]

I'll be doing my OW check dives this weekend out at Dutch Springs in PA. I feel comfortable with all of the skills that I've been taught in class.

My concern is building about the water temps I will face at the quarry over the weekend. It's probably in the high 40's to the mide 50's at best.

I've never worn a wetsuit before and, quite frankly, I can't even fathom having waterthat cold seep into the suit. I have a Henderson 7/5 one piece Goldcore and a 5/3 Cressi hooded vest. I also have 5mm Goldcore gloves and 5mm booties.

Seeing as how I just got the wetsuit today, I thought it would be sporting to jump in the shower with the water turned all the way to cold to see what it would feel like. HOLY S***T!!! When that first trickle of water made its way down the back of my neck, I could barely breath (literally). In fact, I think that if I were underwater, I'd practically spaz-out.

I have some questions that perhaps you can answer for me:

1) Upon entering the water (whether it be via shore or giant stride) does everyone have that "HOLY S***T" feeling as water finds its way into the suit? It's almost paralizing.
2) Is there anything I can do to not have that initial shock? I believe my seals are as good as I can get around the ankles, wrists and neck (although my shower test revealed that what felt like a great seal at the shop, leaked more than I thought in the shower).
3) Should I expect "face freeze" during the dives? From my shower experience, taking cold water in the face was pretty miserable. Taking off my mask and breathing without it has a lot to be desired.
4) My Henderson gloves feel like they are made of mesh because ton's of water gets in (Booties too). Is this normal?
5) Should I take off the wetsuit immediately after diving or leave it on during SI's? I have 4 dives to do (2 Sat and 2 Sunday so I images the SI's will be long)
6) Please give me any tips you've accumulated along the way--I need them
7) NO COMMENTS ABOUT DRYSUITS. I know, I know... just buy one. Easy to say, but I've dropped almost $3000 in the last month so a drysuit is NOT AN OPTION so don't waste my time...

Thanks!

 

[RiverRat]

You'll be fine I did my checkout dives in 50 degree temps. You'll be so pumped you won't think about the cold. During the SI's I would just open the top of my wetsuit, pull out my arms and let it hang. I threw on a sweatshirt/jacket to stay warm. Cold does not really bother me that much like it does some people but you'll have so much going through your mind you won't have time to think about it.
Have fun!

 

[crpntr133]

Just did my OW cert dives two weeks ago in the same water temps. We got in without gear, suit only, to see what it was like. I'm not going to lie to you, it was cold. The good part is that you get use to it. The only part of me that got cold were my toes and that was at the end of the second dive. With the two layers on your core your should be fine.
Fore warning, the mask clearing is something else to keep in mind. Our instructor had us take our mask off on the surface and put our face in the water. If you don't take to cold water well it might be a challenge. I'm not trying to scare you with this just inform you. I am sure you will be fine.

 

[jonnythan]

Bring a jug of warm water. Pour some into the suit before you get into the water. Having water already in the suit helps prevent colder water from seeping in when you first jump in.

Make sure it's not hot water, as the resultant opening of surface blood vessels may help promote heat loss.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

1) Upon entering the water (whether it be via shore or giant stride) does everyone have that "HOLY S***T" feeling as water finds its way into the suit? It's almost paralizing.

Yes, that's the normal reaction. Putting your face into the water immediately actually helps. You should be able to get your breathing under control in 1-2 minutes. Dunk your face and focus on your breathing. I like to dunk my face before the water has time to seep into the suit.

2) Is there anything I can do to not have that initial shock? I believe my seals are as good as I can get around the ankles, wrists and neck (although my shower test revealed that what felt like a great seal at the shop, leaked more than I thought in the shower).

As Jonnythan said, a gallon or so of warm water poured into the suit means the suit is full and therefore doesn't need to fill with cold water. When I started diving I always used duct tape on my wrist and ankle seals to help minimize water exchange. It looks ridiculous but it helped in my case.

3) Should I expect "face freeze" during the dives? From my shower experience, taking cold water in the face was pretty miserable. Taking off my mask and breathing without it has a lot to be desired.

If you acclimate your face it basically goes numb and you don't notice the cold. Acclimate it at the surface or that HOLY S**** feeling comes back when you pull your mask off at depth.

4) My Henderson gloves feel like they are made of mesh because ton's of water gets in (Booties too). Is this normal?

Use 3 finger gloves if you can, they are A LOT warmer. Gloves and booties will fill, try filling them with warm water also.

5) Should I take off the wetsuit immediately after diving or leave it on during SI's? I have 4 dives to do (2 Sat and 2 Sunday so I images the SI's will be long)

Someone mentioned pulling the top off of your arms and folding it down to your waist. That's what most people do, make sure you take along a top (polarfleece is a great option) to wear during the SI, a knit hat never hurts either. Take more clothes than you think you'll need, it's always nice to have too much if you're cold. Hopefully the sun will be out and the SI will be pleasant.

6) Please give me any tips you've accumulated along the way--I need them

I wear Duofold expedition weight long johns and fleece socks under my wetsuit and have found it does help keep me a little warmer.

Enjoy your dives! It's probably not going to be as bad as you think, two of my AOW students went diving in 45 degree water last weekend. They brought water to put in their suits but never used it, they said the water wasn't that bad.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[jhelmuth]

Yes, that's the normal reaction. Putting your face into the water immediately actually helps. You should be able to get your breathing under control in 1-2 minutes. Dunk your face and focus on your breathing. I like to dunk my face before the water has time to seep into the suit.

As Jonnythan said, a gallon or so of warm water poured into the suit means the suit is full and therefore doesn't need to fill with cold water. When I started diving I always used duct tape on my wrist and ankle seals to help minimize water exchange. It looks ridiculous but it helped in my case.

If you acclimate your face it basically goes numb and you don't notice the cold. Acclimate it at the surface or that HOLY S**** feeling comes back when you pull your mask off at depth.

Use 3 finger gloves if you can, they are A LOT warmer. Gloves and booties will fill, try filling them with warm water also.

Someone mentioned pulling the top off of your arms and folding it down to your waist. That's what most people do, make sure you take along a top (polarfleece is a great option) to wear during the SI, a knit hat never hurts either. Take more clothes than you think you'll need, it's always nice to have too much if you're cold. Hopefully the sun will be out and the SI will be pleasant.

I wear Duofold expedition weight long johns and fleece socks under my wetsuit and have found it does help keep me a little warmer.

Enjoy your dives! It's probably not going to be as bad as you think, two of my AOW students went diving in 45 degree water last weekend. They brought water to put in their suits but never used it, they said the water wasn't that bad.
Ber :lilbunny:

You couldn't have gotten better advice and answers. Good luck on your check-out dives!

 

[Greg Di]

Yes, that's the normal reaction. Putting your face into the water immediately actually helps. You should be able to get your breathing under control in 1-2 minutes. Dunk your face and focus on your breathing. I like to dunk my face before the water has time to seep into the suit.

Ber :lilbunny:

So, the rapid breathing like you can't catch your breath is normal and it happens to everyone. I suppose that's comforting to know.

Dumb question-At the quarry, where am I supposed to get a gallon of warm water? Should I bring my backpacking stove? How do you get warm water in a remote location?

Also, my SIs will be a couple of hours each. Should I still leave the wetsuit on that whole time?

 

[jonnythan]

Fill up a milk jug or a 2 liter bottle with hot water at home, then wrap it in a towel and toss it in your car. Be careful using an insulated bottle - use warm water at home and it will stay warm. Hot water in those guys stays hot for a while

Leaving it sitting on the surface on top of the car or something black keeps it nice and warm throughout the day, too.

 

[Boogie711]

Yes, take your suit off. Water will evaporate from the water laden suit, making you even colder. You WANT to leave it on, but you'll do far better if you suck it up and lose the suit in between.

Another nod to bring LOTS of clothes. Bring a wool toque for your head, and sweaters and gym pants and thick wool socks... Trust me, unless it's 80 and sunny outside, you won't regret it.

 

[RiverRat]

One more thing to remember, stay hydrated! It's easy to forget to drink enough water when it's colder.