Winter diving vs. Summer diving

[Warren_L]

Fine. you are the first and sb_diver is the second I heard of feeling too hot in cali water. Anyway, you can always unzip to cool yourself down. But what can you do when you feel cold?

I think what they're getting at is if you have the proper exposure protection (what works for you and with the proper fit) you shouldn't be cold NOR too hot. It may well be that a slightly thinner suit than a 7mm would be appropriate. And as mentioned before, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Of course, if you go too light you'll get cold.

For me, I have no problems whatsoever in 57F water in a proper 7mm. However at 70F, I would definitely be overheating. I don't know if SoCal gets that high in the summer, since I've not dove there in the summer.

 

[Dive California]

Ok, so it sounds like the winter vs. summer wetsuit issue comes down to personal preference? This kinda make sense as we all vary in body shape & metobolic rates.

Interesting how all of the responses are from males...where are the females?

I think it really depends on you, your body type...my wife would be fine in the suit you describe in the summer time...I would not.

Not knowing you or your body type...it would be tough to tell you how you are going to be...

In general (except the three-five weeks in the heart of summer when the water gets into the the low seventies) you'll be fine in a 7mm...the 3-5 weeks with 70° waters...you be a bit warm...but unless you're hiking up or down a hill to get to the beach...you will not pass out...off of a boat, just peel back the upper part and hang out in your bikini top...yahoo!

 

[HBDiveGirl]

Ok, so it sounds like the winter vs. summer wetsuit issue comes down to personal preference? This kinda make sense as we all vary in body shape & metobolic rates.

You got it! One woman's jacuzzi is another woman's ice dive...
I did 100 dives last year in SoCal, year round, beach and boat, in a JMJ custom 7mm one-piece suit. Just like most active sports, layers make a difference. Here's how I've swung through the seasons:
Winter: 5mm boots, 7mm suit, 7mm custom hood/vest, 3mm gloves. (catalytic heater packets in the pockets of my dive parka make the SI's warmer.)
Spring/Late fall: 3mm boots, 7mm suit, 3mm hood/vest, 3mm gloves.
Summer: 3mm boots, 7mm suit, 3mm hood or no hood, 2mm gloves or no gloves. (Bare hands and free hair was really part of the fun...what a change!)

I've been cold to the point of uncontrollable shivering only at Santa Cruz Island in January and February (48-50 F). Still did 4 dives each day, but wouldn't do it again unless I decided to get a dry suit. I've never been uncomfortably hot underwater because going bare handed and bare headed effectively dumps any excess heat.

Thanks, Lexy, for asking a good question and starting this interesting discussion.

BTW, I truly encourage handsome-hunk men divers to use the thickest possible wetsuits! During warm summer days, the eye-candy of unzipped, peeled-to-the-waist gentlemen is a delightful perk of diving.
Claudette

 

[IceDiverInCA]

BTW, I truly encourage handsome-hunk men divers to use the thickest possible wetsuits! During warm summer days, the eye-candy of unzipped, peeled-to-the-waist gentlemen is a delightful perk of diving.
Claudette

I was wondering who was staring at me at Casino Point a few months ago. Now that you have revealed yourself.....

 

[MyDiveLog]

Ok, so it sounds like the winter vs. summer wetsuit issue comes down to personal preference? This kinda make sense as we all vary in body shape & metobolic rates.

Just remember that there's a big difference between boat diving and beach diving in how they affect whether you feel 'warm' or not. The cold water cools the air in your tank, which cools your core body temp. All the exercise getting in and out of the surf, plus the hike up and down the hill when beach diving help you to recover your core body temp. Also, as a begginer you are likely to have shorter dives; your wet suit will probably be fine. Start doing boat dives over an hour long .... little chance to recover core body temp within an hour and it might not be ...

 

[HBDiveGirl]

Start doing boat dives over an hour long .... little chance to recover core body temp within an hour and it might not be ...

This is so very true! I'm now getting those 60 to 80 minutes dives on Channel Island boats and I've worked out several ways to stay warm with a 7mm wetsuit. It can be done but each person is different. Dive parka, hat at all times, drinking warm drinks, staying hydrated, (I also added an Apollo Biofilter and it's easier to stay adequately hydrated all day now), catalytic heaters in my parka pockets and hat, eating very light all day because I found that eating full meals made me very cold on the next dive. I know...a dry suit would solve everything, but it is a water sport and I like getting wet as long as it doable and fun. Just a few more thoughts....
Claudette