What to Expect with a Wetsuit

[EricDive]

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?

All of this is great advice. I was in diving a week ago and the water was almost 40 degrees. I wear a 2 piece 6.5mil and I was fine. If you just ease into the water and put your face in a couple of times with out the mask you shouldn't get the big shock. I didn't have any rapid breathing or difficulty catching my breath. By the end of the dive my sons fingers were getting cold and I could feel it a bit in my feet. However the worst part was getting changed outside during a cold rain. Remember if you start to shiver uncontrollably it's time to call the dive and get warm.

As for the SI ... just play it by ear. If it's sunny you will be fine (especially if your wetsuit is black) but if you are cold, get changed so that you will be warm for the second dive.

Eric

 

[rgerman95]

I did bring a propane stove, as the original poster asked. Had some soup to heat up and made hot coffee; that made all the difference, as we had very cold and rainy day in mid-May.

Bring lunch.

A dining fly is another handy item to keep you dry during the SI. The time underwater goes fast; the time waiting through the SI for the next dive goes slowly, more so if you're cold and hungry.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

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.

I took a canoeing class one spring when I was in college. The water was about 50 degrees and we had to flip the canoe and have another canoe crew help us right it. We were wearing bathing suits, no neoprene, and my canoe buddy thought he was going to have to rescue me because I was hyperventilating so badly after hitting the water. Wish I'd known about the "stick your face in the water" thing then, it would have helped a LOT!

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?

Jonnythan is on the ball with this one, fill a gallon jug and wrap it in a towel. I put my towel wrapped water jugs in a cooler to help them stay warm because the dive site is usually 2-3 hours away.

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

We usually leave the bottom of the wetsuit on unless it's REALLY cold for the SI (I think Boogie is from Ontario, May dives there can have cold SI's). A wet wetsuit is often difficult to don and frankly it's cold and slimy when it touches your skin again. Wearing a dive skin under it makes it easier to don for the second dive, pantyhose work just as well (for the bottom half) if you don't have a skin. That cold slimy feeling is why I like to wear something under the suit. My expedition weight undies dry quickly in the sun or wind during the SI.

I really think you're going to enjoy the experience, especially if the water is in the mid 50's, that's actually a nice temp. in the type of suit you're wearing.

Ditto on the "stay hydrated" comment from River Rat and rgerman's "bring lunch." You won't believe how hungry you're going to get while diving! It doesn't have to be a hot lunch, just make sure it isn't something that's going to give you gas
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[ScubaSarus]

Just dove the same type of configuration in RI 45 F (water) and 60 F air temp. I was sweating big time on entry and was nice at 61 Ft. On exit I once again started to overheat. If its sunny and near 60 you can expect the same and to have a gold core w/hooded vest you'll be quite toasty. Drink lots of water and get a good nights rest. I'm sure thewetsuit fits you well.

 

[IndigoBlue]

...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...

None of the reservations you mentioned is a problem.

Water warms up pretty fast inside your suit, as you enter. Your ankles do not need to be sealed up.

Your face will numb fairly quickly, so that won't be a problem either.

Normally getting dry during your surface interval is a good idea. It may not matter, much, on a 2nd dive, but if you dive 3 dives, you may begin to notice the difference by the 3rd.

The main problem with a farmer john style suit is lack of freedom of movement (someone will probably chime in that they themself have great freedom of movement in theirs) and loss of buoyancy and loss of thermal insulation at depths over 60 ft (although someone else may state that this is not a problem for them either).

You can get any opinion you can imagine.

I draw the line at a single piece wetsuit, and if that does not work for the conditions, then I recommend The D-Word.

Welcome to Scubaboard!

 

[Titan8883]

I recently got my OW cert in 57 degree water with and akona 3mm bodysuit and a 5mm hooded vest (plus gloves and boots). I was fine up until the fourth dive when the cold really started to get to me. The only thing I could suggest from my limited experience is try to keep your arms close in toward your body. I know that while I was diving I would be comfortable until I moved my arms away from my body and would receive a rush of cold water to my armpits, just my two cents.

 

[Bretagne]

did you had the hood on underthe shower? It makes a huge difference.
I mostly dive in the 52-60F, with a Cressi Lontra 7+5 (monopiece + hooded shorty), and I do not take the shorty but add a separate hood at about 59F. It is fine for the depth and time I dive. My gloves and boots are pretty thin (3mm gloves, 3mm latex enducted boots). As I usually dive from the zodiac, I enter the water by a backward flip (do not know the english name). I always wet my face with cold sea water just before, and I am never been seized by cold. Sure, I feel that the water is cool, but it is OK.

Now I have once swimmed with the same suit except thinner boots in a 46F river, for 4km. Body was warm but hands and feets were cold (and it didn't help that , as the only lady, I never managed to get warm water in the ladies shower after the swim)

 

[10X]

Wow, I didn't know diving in cold water was a problem. I've only been certified for less than one year but do most of my diving in Michigan's cold waters. I've been using a rental two piece 7mm suit. I found that I have to unzip the jacket down to about my waist and allow the cold water to flow in because I'm just too warm. I'm deciding on what wetsuit to buy now and I'm not even considering a two piece. I'm looking at the Henderson 7mm Hyperstretch and the Xcel 765 Inifinity.

I was diving in Hawaii earlier this year and wore a 3mm shorty in 74* water. It was more than enough for me and I never got chilled, not even a little bit. Many other divers who were wearing full suits were shivering and asking me if I was cold. DMs were wearing full 5mm suits, including hoods and gloves, and complaining about the cold. One dive shop gave me a 5mm farmer john, which was way too warm.

I guess it's all in what you are used to.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Bretagne,
That entry is called a "back roll entry" in English. Now you know
Ber