bigsnowdog
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Last November we went to Bonaire where the water was 82. My 3mm was fine, but I could certainly tell I was cooling after long and cumulative dives, as we did four dives a day, and one day also a night dive.
We just spent a week at Grand Cayman from March 16 to 23. The water temperature was 78 degrees F. We each had 3mm suits, as did many on the boats, and some had 5mm suits. It was windy and overcast. Some days shore diving was closed due to rough water.
Given the cumulative dives effect on comfort and cold, a majority of divers were getting cold, with many cold even on the first dive. The scene after many dives revealed many very cold people. Many women were shivering violently with chattering teeth.
Certainly there were exceptions with some sturdy individuals not getting cold, and one of the divemasters dove on a sleeveless, hooded vest and swimming trunks. I don't see how he did it, but he seemed fine.
I have always felt I could wear more suit than conventional wisdom suggested, and after this experience I am not sure I see a point in owning a 3mm [which is 3mm in all places], and am not sure a 5mm would have been enough.
I would keep my 3mm since I also own it, but want to buy something else. I think I could have worn a 7mm and really done well. I also consider a 7/5, if there is such a thing, with a 7 torso and 5 legs and arms. Good seals would be a plus.
Some people were wearing hooded vests over their 3mm suits. Many of them were cold also. One fellow had such an over suit, but it was so loose I don't see how it could have had any effect.
Getting to my real question, how heavy of a suit have you worn in tropical waters such as I describe, and found it useful and enjoyable? The only time I have ever been too warm in a wetsuit was when I was standing on land in the sun. I have never been too warm in the water.
PS, I don't care if a heavier suit takes more weight.
We just spent a week at Grand Cayman from March 16 to 23. The water temperature was 78 degrees F. We each had 3mm suits, as did many on the boats, and some had 5mm suits. It was windy and overcast. Some days shore diving was closed due to rough water.
Given the cumulative dives effect on comfort and cold, a majority of divers were getting cold, with many cold even on the first dive. The scene after many dives revealed many very cold people. Many women were shivering violently with chattering teeth.
Certainly there were exceptions with some sturdy individuals not getting cold, and one of the divemasters dove on a sleeveless, hooded vest and swimming trunks. I don't see how he did it, but he seemed fine.
I have always felt I could wear more suit than conventional wisdom suggested, and after this experience I am not sure I see a point in owning a 3mm [which is 3mm in all places], and am not sure a 5mm would have been enough.
I would keep my 3mm since I also own it, but want to buy something else. I think I could have worn a 7mm and really done well. I also consider a 7/5, if there is such a thing, with a 7 torso and 5 legs and arms. Good seals would be a plus.
Some people were wearing hooded vests over their 3mm suits. Many of them were cold also. One fellow had such an over suit, but it was so loose I don't see how it could have had any effect.
Getting to my real question, how heavy of a suit have you worn in tropical waters such as I describe, and found it useful and enjoyable? The only time I have ever been too warm in a wetsuit was when I was standing on land in the sun. I have never been too warm in the water.
PS, I don't care if a heavier suit takes more weight.