when is it to cold fo ra wetsuit

[bikeflip22]

I only dive wet because I am too poor to buy a dry suit. I agree with what Penny said. I have a nice 7mm hooded vest and 7mm suit. I can usually stay down in 41F water at about 50 feet for 30 minutes before I feel it in my fingers. When diving wet in cold water I would seriously rethink a 2nd dive, unless you gave yourself enough time to warm up, BUT make sure you don't warm up too fast either. This is not good for your body. Try to use your own body heat and blankets. Make sure you warm up your core first, and to do this correctly (especially in the winter), it takes time.

I remember reading that heating your body too rapidly after a cold dive can actually contribute to the onset of DCS. Stay away from a hot tub or sauna after a really cold dive that dropped your core temperature!

great, this is exactly the kind of info i was looking for.. thanks.

 

[The Kraken]

When is it too cold for a wet suit?
Well, when you're wearing one and you get cold.

the K

 

[The Kraken]

Please forgive me, but that's really about the only way I can answer that question.
We all have individual metabolic rates and inherent thermal barriers.
Your question is probably one of the most difficult ones asked that can be addressed.

the K

 

[humanFish]

Please forgive me, but that's really about the only way I can answer that question.
We all have individual metabolic rates and inherent thermal barriers.
Your question is probably one of the most difficult ones asked that can be addressed.

the K

ditto what the kraken said.

Despite hypothermia, you may want to consider that when diving and your body gets really cold, your circulation decreases, thereby slowing blood flow to the extremities and putting you at greater potential risk of DCS.

 

[Ron Brandt]

Apart from diving in Cozumel(in the winter) I only do about 15-20 local dives a year wet.Thats about a months worth....the rest of the year I dive dry.

Ron

 

[The Kraken]

Believe it or not, when working in a position as a D/M in a pool with a water temperature of 80 degrees F, I wear a 7/5 mm semi dry suit. Standing about in water less than the nominal body temperature without active body motive temperature increase results in body core thermal reduction.

In simple terms if the water is cooler than your body, you're gonna get cold at some point. It aint' rocket science.

the K

 

[Ron Brandt]

Believe it or not, when working in a position as a D/M in a pool with a water temperature of 80 degrees F, I wear a 7/5 mm semi dry suit. Standing about in water less than the nominal body temperature without active body motive temperature increase results in body core thermal reduction.

In simple terms if the water is cooler than your body, you're gonna get cold at some point. It aint' rocket science.

the K

I never thought about commenting on pool dives. Depending on the pool and length of the class I switch from a snorkel vest , to a full 3mm to 5mm.

The 7/5 sounds nice and toasty Too !!

Ron

 

[The Kraken]

People look at me as if I'm an idiot when I don that suit. However, 3 hours later, after they've been frolicking about in the pool and starting to shiver, the eyes become askance . . . and I think . . . and I remember . . . and I try to educate

 

[bikeflip22]

The kraken i think u took my question a bit over bored, i was just looking for a basic idea of when people ussually stop diving wet..

i like what u said tho and you are right

 

[toodive4]

I dive a 3mm wetsuit from May 1 - September 30 then a 7mm from October 1 - April 31st every year... No need for a drysuit. My 3mm is for water down to 70 F and the 7mm is for everything below 69 F. The water here in Baltimore reaches a low of about 38 F in the winter... although sometimes there is a surface freeze. If there is ice on the surface I may throw on my drysuit.... but it is rare that I need it...

K

at what month does it end where drysuit season begins? Is it possible to dive with a 7mm wetsuit year round, on shallow dives? I probably wouldnt go deeper than ~30 with it? or could i go deeper? im not sure...


Also, for added warmth, could i wear maybe a tshirt and shorts under the wetsuit for additional warmth?


call me stupid, but im not to sure, im new to cold water diving