What type of suit?

[andy_j_briggs]

Hi, I've recently qualified as a PADI Open Water Diver and am keen to do a bit of diving this summer, however this may be a mix of UK coastal diving and diving in warmer climates. Having spoken to a few people, I've decided to hire kit and spend money on diving whilst I work out what BCD, Regs etc I like. One area where I'm a bit uncertain though is over suit choice - my local dive centre just offers dry suit diving which would involve another course and if I can get away with it I will use another dive club and dive in a wetsuit in UK waters. The question is, will a wetsuit be warm enough for UK summer waters (south coast). Also, would it be feasible to get a 5mm wetsuit to use in warmer waters eg Red sea, Mediterranean etc and use this in the UK with some form of undersuit to keep me warm?

Andy

 

[molksmith]

Hmmm,
I would go 7mm for a number of reasons.
You can get the most variety of uses out of it.
If you are in Baby Water...(Tropics, Asia) Then of course you should have
A 5 or in most cases 3 or one of those new combo mixed thickness suits
Maybe you should look into buying one of those.
But if you do a lot of diving you will start to notice you get colder easier. Especially after a week of diving. You actually end up lowering your base body temp.
In the Med. you generally need a thicker suit because a lot of the cool stuff is 30 meters down and it's also colder. I have not been to the Red Sea Yet (hopefully this year)But I have heard from a lot of people that have used thicker suits there.
I am taking a dry-suit course in April because I am going to do some mountain diving here is austria. But I would love to dive in the UK waters but that is dry-suit territory I think? Could'nt hurt to take a dry-suit course and test UK Waters out.
Also having Dry Suit Experience is helpful. Though they are expensive to buy.
I will rent for awhile.
Obviously as time goes on you will have a drysuit,and a couple of wetsuits.
Think about a computer though and a safety sausage (mandatory)

hope that helps

 

[Rookie_J]

i recently bought a 2 piece 7mm farmer john. on a recent trip to Florida (water temp 64+, it kept me very warm... it is a pain to put on and the boyancy is incredable (i was using 30 lbs of weight). i would also seriously consider something like a Lycra suit to help.

depending on your tolerance of the water temperature, you may consider renting a 5mm and maybe a core warmer to see how that works for you.

 

[ChrisA]

For us non-locals, could you tell us the temperatures of the waters you will be diving in.

Not knowing the answers to the above I would think that if one outfit is using drysuits exclusively the temperature must be in the range where even a 7mm wetsuit is marginal.

I doubt seriouly that you will be able to get one suit that can be used at all locations.But the thinner suits are not expensive.

Yes you can layer wetsuits. I use a 5/3mm hooded vest under my 7mm wetsuit. This common here. thin "shorty's" also work. But do not buy a 3mm and 4mm suit and
try to use it ias a 7mm.

Hi, I've recently qualified as a PADI Open Water Diver and am keen to do a bit of diving this summer, however this may be a mix of UK coastal diving and diving in warmer climates. Having spoken to a few people, I've decided to hire kit and spend money on diving whilst I work out what BCD, Regs etc I like. One area where I'm a bit uncertain though is over suit choice - my local dive centre just offers dry suit diving which would involve another course and if I can get away with it I will use another dive club and dive in a wetsuit in UK waters. The question is, will a wetsuit be warm enough for UK summer waters (south coast). Also, would it be feasible to get a 5mm wetsuit to use in warmer waters eg Red sea, Mediterranean etc and use this in the UK with some form of undersuit to keep me warm?

Andy

 

[andy_j_briggs]

Thanks for the advice everyone, having also looked at pictures from other UK clubs' dives in the UK I noticed that everyone seems to be wearing drysuits - looks like a wetsuit may not be a sensible option! Probably better to do a drysuit course and invest in a 5mm wetsuit for diving in the Med/red sea area!

 

[SubMariner]

Thanks for the advice everyone, having also looked at pictures from other UK clubs' dives in the UK I noticed that everyone seems to be wearing drysuits - looks like a wetsuit may not be a sensible option! Probably better to do a drysuit course and invest in a 5mm wetsuit for diving in the Med/red sea area!

You are spot on with this observation, Andy. A good shell drysuit will give you a much wider water temp dive range than a 5mm suit.

Also a good call on taking the course.

Take care,

 

[dbulmer]

Andy,
PM on the way to you.