Is there an easy way to put on a 7mm wet suit?

[IrishLoaf]

I find baby powder to work well if both you and the suit are dry; +/- grocery bags.

I have used the plastic bag method, and it was pretty good.

So it seems if you want to venture into waters that are cold then drysuit training makes more sense than increasing mm thickness and maybe investing more into travel plans for warmer waters and a standard 5mm?

 

[tursiops]

I know this isn't what you were asking, but 7mm wetsuits are really too thick for scuba diving.

Nah. They are fine. Drysuits are an equipment solution to a skills problem.

 

[formernuke]

Nah. They are fine. Drysuits are an equipment solution to a skills problem.

Not at all. Try diving NE in the winter with a wetsuit and let me know how it goes.

Drysuit is just more comfortable for cold water.

 

[tursiops]

Not at all. Try diving NE in the winter with a wetsuit and let me know how it goes.

Drysuit is just more comfortable for cold water.

I spent almost a decade diving a 7mm in Massachusetts, 12 months a year.
I agree, a drysuit is more comfortable, but is not essential.
I was objecting to the statement, " 7mm wetsuits are really too thick for scuba diving."

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I know this isn't what you were asking, but 7mm wetsuits are really too thick for scuba diving. They are (as you noticed) difficult to don, limit range of motion, undergo huge buoyancy changes, and lose most of their insulation value at depth. If the water is cold enough that a 5mm full wetsuit doesn't suffice, then instructors really ought to put their students in drysuits. They will be much more comfortable and it only takes a little more pool practice time to learn how to use a drysuit.

What about for beach divers/hunters in Norcal or kayak diving? Why are they no good for scuba?
I love my 7mm wetsuits and have no problem with any of them, donning doffing or diving in them.

 

[David Haas]

The long lycra suit is one solution but over 55 years diving (both wet and dry) in various suits here's another idea.......

When I was a scuba instructor 1978 - 1990 here in Ohio students would do their certification dives at our local quarries, White Star Quarry and Portage Quarry (which is long closed.)

Our rental wet suits (plus personal) were usually a 2 piece 1/4" thickness, close to 7mm.

Most divers had a swimsuit on. Long sleeve rash guards were just becoming popular but getting legs in the pants (farmer john style) was more the struggle.

I thought somewhere I read California beach divers used what they affectionately called "slime". Basically it's a 1/2 bottle of any hair conditioner (biodegradable) and water in the hair conditioner bottle. Shake it up........

We'd squirt a shot in each leg and voila', your suit would slip on like butter Some folks put a squirt down the arms also.

Later as one piece suits (especially in more progressive scuba stores who disliked having to deal with 2 piece suits as rentals) it was a lot easier technique getting folks into a thick wet suit versus plastic bags, etc. .

Lycra full body suits do help also these days but slime also makes your skin soft and smells great

Just one old time diver's idea!

David Haas

 

[Rilelen]

They're also easier to put on wet! If I'm somewhere with a shower (or shore diving), I'll put it on the water - I'm wet, the wetsuit's wet, much easier to get on.

 

[tursiops]

They're also easier to put on wet! If I'm somewhere with a shower (or shore diving), I'll put it on the water - I'm wet, the wetsuit's wet, much easier to get on.

I can tell you are from Florida! When I need a 7mm suit, I do NOT want to put it on in the water!

 

[Rilelen]

I can tell you are from Florida! When I need a 7mm suit, I do NOT want to put it on in the water!

Haha! Guilty as charged. I do put my 7mm on in the hot showers at Ginnie & Blue Grotto all the time, though....pure luxury!!

 

[Gone for diving]

My hollis 7mm semi dry is a dream to put on, and very warm, until the armpit stretch panels gave out.

In my option a tad looser is way better than too tight.

Beginners are always told it need to be tighter. And usually someone gives them something that's to tight.
Just what I have seen.

Also make sure you pull it up so ankles are at the right spot, then then the knees, then over the butt,
It will not slide well if you miss a step