What type of wetsuit

[kman]

Hey everyone,
this November I am planning to combine a dive trip to some of the freshwater spring rivers in FL with some diving in Cozumel. I am new to diving and am not sure what type of wet suit I should use. I want to purchase a suit, but should I buy a 3mm shortie or a full length 3 mm for these types of dives?

 

[DiveMaven]

I'd recommend that you stick with a full suit, regardless of thickness. A full suit offers you not only warmth, but also protection from the environment. You want protection from stinging critters and from potential bumps and scrapes. Even with perfect buoyancy, you might find yourself penetrating a wreck or doing a swim through that has some hazards. Keep in mind that wetsuits are "exposure" protection, which includes everything you're exposed to, not just temperature.

Have a GREAT trip!

 

[xSandman3]

I dove Cozumel in April with a 3mm full suit, and it was perfect for me. The rest of the divers on the boat wore either shorties or nothing but t-shirts.
I like the added protection of a full suit, and the 3mm has become the one I use in the pool with classes as well.

 

[m3830431]

If you know the thickness that you need I would go with the full suit. If the springs end up being colder you can always wear a skin under them. The exposure suit also provides protection, besides warmth.

 

[kman]

If you know the thickness that you need I would go with the full suit. If the springs end up being colder you can always wear a skin under them. The exposure suit also provides protection, besides warmth.

If I were to go with a 7mm full suit, is there a risk of being overly warm in Caribbean during November or is it more of an issue of being uncomfortable with the added bulk of a thicker suit?
I know it sounds like a dumb question, but hey, I'm a beginner!
thanks for the advice

 

[m3830431]

If I were to go with a 7mm full suit, is there a risk of being overly warm in Caribbean during November or is it more of an issue of being uncomfortable with the added bulk of a thicker suit?
I know it sounds like a dumb question, but hey, I'm a beginner!
thanks for the advice

I was assuming you already decided on the 3mm. I would never consider the 7mm for sure. Depending on the time of year you may want a 5mm. The the 3mm and a hooded vest you would have your 5mm. It should be a full.

 

[TheRedHead]

If I were to go with a 7mm full suit, is there a risk of being overly warm in Caribbean during November or is it more of an issue of being uncomfortable with the added bulk of a thicker suit?
I know it sounds like a dumb question, but hey, I'm a beginner!
thanks for the advice

If you go with a 7mm in Cozumel, you could easily become a Polaris and end up in the chamber; the dive masters would laugh at you and you would have to change your name to Lead Carrier.

I would dive a skin in Cozumel in November. Last week, the water temperature was 84 F.

Less neoprene = less weight = better bouyancy control. If you tend to get cold, get a polartec lined suit like Henderson's Trilam.

Don't buy a 7mm - a 5 mm in bad enough. I have to carry 12 lbs of additional lead to compensate for a 5mm suit (blech!). I can wear a Trilam under a 3 mm and get the same warmth with less lead.

 

[Jay_SMART_Diver]

Why not try a two piece 3mm, that's what I have and it works great, most of the warm water diving I do I just wear the Farmer John, but for colder I add the long sleeve shortie and wind up with 6mm over the core. I only got a little cold diving in March in 58 degree water.

 

[PerroneFord]

The Cozumel waters will be in the mid 80s. The florida springs will be in the upper 60s. That is a LARGE difference in temperature, nearly 20 degrees. Think of it this way, if the average FL diver does the springs in a 5mm suit with a hood, and then someone presented them with water that was in the upper 40s, most divers would be looking for a drysuit or a 8/7mm wetsuit.

These are two VERY disparate needs in a suit, and you should probably get two different suits to accomodate the need. Of course that's just the advice of a newbie...

 

[DandyDon]

I'd recommend that you stick with a full suit, regardless of thickness. A full suit offers you not only warmth, but also protection from the environment. You want protection from stinging critters and from potential bumps and scrapes. Even with perfect buoyancy, you might find yourself penetrating a wreck or doing a swim through that has some hazards. Keep in mind that wetsuits are "exposure" protection, which includes everything you're exposed to, not just temperature.

Have a GREAT trip!

Right one! Shorties are for water skiers and maybe surfers. Always get a long, and maybe put on cheap nylon socks first - to make it slide on easily, and protect your ankles.

The Cozumel waters will be in the mid 80s. The florida springs will be in the upper 60s. That is a LARGE difference in temperature, nearly 20 degrees. Think of it this way, if the average FL diver does the springs in a 5mm suit with a hood, and then someone presented them with water that was in the upper 40s, most divers would be looking for a drysuit or a 8/7mm wetsuit.

These are two VERY disparate needs in a suit, and you should probably get two different suits to accomodate the need. Of course that's just the advice of a newbie...

Indeed, with the conductivity of water, a very big difference.

Anyway, you can get 2 Long jumpsuits, Hybrid neoprene, custom made to fit - one 3 mil and one 7 mil - at ScubaL for less than $200 total: here