West suit advice

[Jurgen]

Hi All,

Have just purchased a Mini B dive set for underwater maintenance but absolutely HATE the COLD.

What thickness wet suit would folks recommend to keep the worst of the chill away?

 

[HenryEDM]

I'm not sure for diving but I wear 6mm for surfing through the winter in north Wales and can last four hours or more without getting cold so I guess 5mm would be more than enough for quick dips most of the year. Bear in mind you get what you pay for with wetsuits and a top end 3mm will be warmer than a cheapo 5mm.

 

[BruceK]

Go for a dry suit if you can afford one or semi dry suit of 6mm. You'll still feel the initial chill with a semi but should soon warm up.

 

[Firefly625]

Hi All,

Have just purchased a Mini B dive set for underwater maintenance but absolutely HATE the COLD.

What thickness wet suit would folks recommend to keep the worst of the chill away?

I use a dry suit with thermal all in one underneath... nice and warm, I don't like being chilly...or wet

 

[P4Paul]

You'll still feel the initial chill with a semi but should soon warm up.

Think this needs to be moved to the lounge!

 

[Jurgen]

I use a dry suit with thermal all in one underneath... nice and warm, I don't like being chilly...or wet

you just talked yourself into cleaning Ixora's Bum lol.

Glad to see you back on your berth

 

[longjohnsilver]

Having yesterday had my first dive of the season I can confirm that the water is still cold! For what you want, I would forget the idea of a dry suit; yes it is warm but it's also very buoyant and if you start working hard, such as cleaning the hull, you will get hot and uncomfortable. And your movement will be somewhat restricted. So for me a decent wetsuit wins out almost every time, unless you plan on spending lots of time in the water in the winter months.

Much more important is having a good hood, most of your body heat is lost through your head and neck, and a decent pair of neoprene gloves. I move to what we call marmalade gloves, the cheapo type gardening gloves, sometime towards the end of June when the sea starts to warm up. Gloves are really important because you will hate having cold hands, and just as importantly they protect your hands when working underwater, without them you will rip your hands to shreds without realising.

 

[scubaman]

From personal experience I can recommend a two part suit for cold conditions. The long one is handy (5 mm) in warm water but if it's really cold you can just pull the short one (4 mm, iirc) over the first to keep your body extra warm. I have a Mares and used it in +4 C for an hour without problems.

 

[Firefly625]

you just talked yourself into cleaning Ixora's Bum lol.

Glad to see you back on your berth

.....26 ft was a tiring enough, 31 foot I can manage, 43 no.... I think I might float away with exhaustion...!

Yes back on c10 and pleased to be "home"