Wet suit/Diveskin/Bathing suit???

[rileymartin]

I'm going to Cozumel in November and wasn't sure what type of exposure suit to wear. I've been told the water temperature should be about 80 and I'm not sure if I should wear a thin wetsuit (3mm?), a diveskin or just my bathing suit?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

[scubawife]

Really depends on your tolerance and how easily you get chilled, how much diving you plan on doing, etc. What sort of temps are you used to diving in and what do you usually wear?

[rileymartin]

I'm used to diving in the New York area. I just dove a week ago in a shorty and was fine. I've dove in the caribbean before just wearing a bathing suit but I never checked what the water temperature was.

[Zman96]

I have dove in April, May, and October in Coz and have always been comfortable in a 1mm wetsuit. I preface that with the fact I don't get cold easily, especially since I dive in Northern Illinois. The only time I get a little cool on a dive in Coz is after 3 or 4 consecutive days of 60-80 minute dives.

[judydivescoz]

Diving in a shorty in New York!!! The water here is very cold, in the 60s at best. I could not imagine diving in anything but a dry suit with undies. I guess everybody is different. You might be OK in just a skin. I would use something to protect you from any little critter that might bite or anything you might inadvertently rub up against.

[stortecky]

I would say go with the 3mm if you have room to pack it. I can stand cold water pretty well and have dove with no wet suit and had no problem. But at the same time I have never over heat in a 3mm wetsuit when it is 83 in the water. I would rather be warm then get too cold and not have any fun diving. Plus it give you extra protection.

[sharky60]

Even in 83 degree water you body will lose heat and given enough time, you will begin to show signs of hypothermia. So just because you "feel" fine with a thin suit on, doesn't mean it is enough. Safety first, it's always better to err on the side of caution.

Most DM's, because of diving all the time, get chilled more than us tourists do, so you will see them wearing a 3 mil with a vest or even another thin suit over/under it. A lot even wear hoods.

But for visitors, the 3mm seems to be the norm for Cozumel, you may not need that much protection most of the time, but you will most likely be more comfortable with it. On deeper wall dives in particular, you can hit some thermoclines that can give you a good chill. I've even hit some on Columbia Shallows at <30' that have given me the 'wiggles'. And depending on how long your going to be there and how much diving you are going to do, later in the trip you may be happy you had the extra thickness.

I'm pretty warm blooded and don't chill easily, and I dove Coz with a .5 mil for years, wearing a short sleeve surfing rash shirt under it, (April/May & Sept), with only an occational, late week chill issues.

I moved up to a 3 mil a couple of years ago and have been much more comfortable with it, but still after about 4 days of diving, I start looking for the rash shirt.

[scubawife]

I'm used to diving in the New York area. I just dove a week ago in a shorty and was fine. I've dove in the caribbean before just wearing a bathing suit but I never checked what the water temperature was.
You dive locally in a shorty? Wow. I've never seen that. A few people I know dive 7mm full suits in the summer here but most dive dry. I'm curious, where were you diving here in a shorty?

I get cold easily and I dive every day when I'm in Cozumel. Nov-March I'm in a 5mm. In the winter months most people are in full 3mm suits, some in 5's and 7's. It will depend on how much diving you are planning to do. With a 3mm if you are too warm just let in some water. 80 sounds warm, but multi dives over consecutive days it will still cool your core temp down and even if you start out feeling toasty, by the end of the week I doubt you'll be too warm.

[FishOutUvH2O]

I'm going to Cozumel in November and wasn't sure what type of exposure suit to wear. I've been told the water temperature should be about 80 and I'm not sure if I should wear a thin wetsuit (3mm?), a diveskin or just my bathing suit?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
As you may have guessed by the responses, you're question ranks up there with "how many angels can you fit on the head of a pin?" There's just to many variables. I would go with the suggestions to bring the 3mm. Just because you have it, doesn't mean you have to wear it. I tend to wear only swim trunks and a rash guard most of the year. Even on night dives. However, the kicker is that I rarely dive multiple days in a row. I will if a couple of people want to do a night dive and they need to have more people for the boat to go out, but short of that, I tend to dive every few days. But, from late-October to mid-February I can almost guarantee you that I'll be in my 3/2. November is a transition month, so, maybe the water will be 80F, maybe it'll be colder, who knows?!?! Better to be prepared.

[Doc Harry]

Depends how much diving you plan to be doing.

The water is about 80 degrees top to bottom, no thermocline.

If you are going to do only two morning dives, then you probably could get away with a whatever you want to wear.

If you plan on an occasional night dive, the 3mm is a good choice.

I dive in a 5mm and I still get cold. But I generally dive 4 times daily - two morning dives and two night dives.

A lot depends on the weather. I have been there when it was hot and sunny, a lot of people were wearing shorties. But then I have been there when it was cool and rainy the entire time, I was cold in a 5mm.

[5615mike]

we have been diving henderson microprenes in Cozumel for about 10 years and they are perfect for us. This week the water temps were 84-85 degrees at depth.

[1KWIK_69]

I just bought a 1.5 mil Hyperflex Surf Jacket. It has long sleeves and stops at the waist so I'll have as much sting protection as I get with my farmer john jacket, it'll stll keep some heat in and I'll be able to drop a little lead, but there will be no unwanted suit warming of the pee variety. :D

[PARADISE HUNTER]

I just bought a 1.5 mil Hyperflex Surf Jacket. It has long sleeves and stops at the waist so I'll have as much sting protection as I get with my farmer john jacket, it'll stll keep some heat in and I'll be able to drop a little lead, but there will be no unwanted suit warming of the pee variety. :D

That's a clever way of approaching the pee issue.

I always dive with a full body 3mil and a hood when in MX. If I get a bit warm I just vent a little water into the suit.

I think that one's percentage of body fat and their average bottom time have a lot to do with how warm or cold one becomes. So when people ask what to wear, they should take a honest look at their physical and diving profile. There are exceptions to this, but for the most part, that has been my experience.

PH

[1KWIK_69]

That's a clever way of approaching the pee issue.

I always dive with a full body 3mil and a hood when in MX. If I get a bit warm I just vent a little water into the suit.

I think that one's percentage of body fat and their average bottom time have a lot to do with how warm or cold one becomes. So when people ask what to wear, they should take a honest look at their physical and diving profile. There are exceptions to this, but for the most part, that has been my experience.

PH

I always found it too much trouble putting on and taking off a full body suit when the water is warm anyway. My board shorts hang to my knees and my new long sleeve surf jacket goes to my shorts so the only sting exposure I have is from my knees to the top of my boots anyway. It'll be a lot more cool and comfortable on the boat ride to the reef, and it'll dry a lot faster than a 3 mill. Plus, I'm a diving minimalist so dropping a couple pounds of lead with a less bouyant suit sounds great.

I can't wait to try it out in in Cozumel in just over 2 weeks! :D

[deepseafalcon]

for several years, I do all my warm water diving in a long sleeve Henderson microprene (~1mm).

this allowed me to shed several pounds of weight compared to wearing the top part of my thick wetsuit, and gives good mechanical protection

if it's getting cold, I add a "tropical cap" (beanie) which I found surprizingly effective

happy diving
d.s.f.

[firstdive2005]

A what do you guys know, all the chicks want to see speedos. They lie when they say they dont. They're just shy. So maybe a hooded vest and a speedo or thong and get the best of both worlds eh. (do I duck now)

[firstdive2005]

I just bought a 1.5 mil Hyperflex Surf Jacket. It has long sleeves and stops at the waist so I'll have as much sting protection as I get with my farmer john jacket, it'll stll keep some heat in and I'll be able to drop a little lead, but there will be no unwanted suit warming of the pee variety. :D

We think alike my friend just bought one today, 60$c. I love this for replacing my rashguard.

[1KWIK_69]

We think alike my friend just bought one today, 60$c. I love this for replacing my rashguard.


Yep. Mine was $49 U.S. from Leisurpro. I can't wait to try it out in 11 days!

I like it so much, I decided to wear it under my Chiefs jersey to the game last Sunday.
It was enough to keep me warm all afternoon! :D

P.S. Was that "A" in your other post a Canadian Ayy slipping out?
:rofl3:

[1KWIK_69]

A what do you guys know, all the chicks want to see speedos. They lie when they say they dont. They're just shy. So maybe a hooded vest and a speedo or thong and get the best of both worlds eh. (do I duck now)

MEN SHOULD NEVER WEAR SPEEDOS OR THONGS!!!!! They should be outlawed and anyone caught wearing one should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!!!! :shocked2:

[blue steal]

I always wore my 3/2mm shortie in the PI and never was cold. recently I started wearing a hood in warm water just to keep my ears and head covered. It is very comfortable.
Of course I'm the guy who dives here in California in the summer with the water temp at 68F in my 3/2 shortie and still don't get cold.

[Winterpeg]

if it's getting cold, I add a "tropical cap" (beanie) which I found surprizingly effective
d.s.f.

thanks! I just bought one, so good to know it helps. I dove last Feb in Coz in a full 3/2 wetsuit, and found it not quite enough. My LDS suggested add a beanie. Will let you know in a couple of week when I head back to Coz:D:D it if works.

[scubafanatic]

...most new divers substantially underestimate the reality that water 'sucks' heat from a person 25 times faster than 'air'. Also, another interesting 'factoid' for ya :

" Evaporation: the loss of heat associated with a change in state of liquid water to water vapor. A significant amount of energy is required to change liquid water to water vapor. A diver breathes a very dry gas. The lungs need a humidified gas. As the diver breathes, water is evaporated along the respiratory tract to humidify the breathing mixture. This can result in significant heat loss from the diver. "

...make sure that whatever thickness wetsuit you use...that it's a tight/snug fit...a leaky wetsuit is almost worthless......as already mentioned...use a beanie (I use a 3 mm Henderson one) I also use 'dive socks'.....and where possible (although this might not be possible in Cozumel due to 'laws') at least a thin pair of gloves. Even in a tropical place, in summer, I'll use a 5/4 mm one-piece wetsuit.....and I have worn a 7 mm in Cozumel in Feb...and in no way did I feel a 7 mm was too much.....but then again, I'll do 4 dives/day in Coz if possible...and 5 dives/day on the average liveaboard. You can easily cure overheating UW by venting cold water into your wetsuit...but there's no way to 'fix' being too cold mid-dive.

[1KWIK_69]

WOW! I guess it really does depend on the individule because some of you are describing what I wear in cold early spring lake water! Not the warm comfy 82 degree water of Cozumel.

Think I'll stick with the 2mm jacket.... ;)

[scubafanatic]

WOW! I guess it really does depend on the individule because some of you are describing what I wear in cold early spring lake water! Not the warm comfy 82 degree water of Cozumel.

Think I'll stick with the 2mm jacket.... ;)

....well, perhaps it is the case that some of us just have more...ummm,.....'natural insulation' than others ? :)

...the other factor is 'time-in-water' ...sure on dive # 1, day #1 I can happily be in just a swimsuit in Cozumel.....but inevitably, gradually, core temps drop and as the days/ # of dive ramps up in quick succession...the misery sets in and by the time you reach that stage it's hard to recover warmth...sooo, better to be proactive/premptive and start out comfy/toasty from the start, then the last dive of the trip or day is as much fun as the first part/dive of the day......also staying warm substantially reduces air-consumption...longer dives = happy divers ! :)

...also remember, that 7 mm wetsuit is more like a 3 mm at 80 - 100 ft...losing a lot of thermal protection due to compression...gotta allow for that too!

[vlkr]

the beanie advice is spot on. we lose an amazingly high % of our heat through our heads. i would not be surprised if a 1mm with a beanie or hood is at least equal to a 3mm without a beanie or hood. also easier to pack and less expensive than a 3mm.
the advantage of a 3mm of course is that it is more versatile if you will not always be in 80+ water.
warmer is not only more comfortable but also safer.

[Winterpeg]

the beanie advice is spot on. we lose an amazingly high % of our heat through our heads. i would not be surprised if a 1mm with a beanie or hood is at least equal to a 3mm without a beanie or hood. also easier to pack and less expensive than a 3mm.

Thanks! I sure hope you're right. Will post on SB after I get back from next week's trip to Coz :D:D and report on how effective the beanie was.

[Divedoggie]

My confined water sessions are in a pool that we keep heated to 82 degrees. I've never seen a student make it even half way through a 3 hour class session without shivering unless he/she is wearing at least a 3mm full suit.
Keep in mind, Cozumel is drift diving. Not much kicking or swimming about. Why not overestimate exposure protection instead of underestimate? I've always used a 3mm full suit and a beanie in Coz and have never thought it was too warm.

[Aigtbootbp]

I've did my first dives there in a swimsuit and got a bit chilled on the second dive. I now use a 3/2 wetsuit and I am comfy.

[ScubaTony]

3 mil shorty should be fine. I usually wear just my swim suit and lycra shirt up til December. Remember a hood will add a lot (for some as much as a shorty) of warmth and does not take much room to pack.

[1KWIK_69]

My new long sleeve surf jacket worked great! It was really nice not having to warm the wetsuit. ;)

[Dive-Ho]

I just finished 15 dives in 5 days today wearing only shorts and a t-shirt the only time I have been chilled is in the downpour today on the ride back water temp around 84 this week and it has been great even with the rain today :D:D

[Winterpeg]

Just got back from Coz, and I tried my beanie. I did have some problems with it. First I put it on with my mask overtop, but then the mask leaked, so I took if off and put the mask first, then the beanie. The mask didn't leak, but the beanie came off.:dork2: Being neoprene, it will float, and without the mask strap to hold it in place, you will lose it. Luckily I did this all on my shore "check-out" dive and was only in 20 feet of water, so I was able to retrieve the beanie.
After that I tried again with the mask strap over the beanie. You just have to be careful how you put it on and not get the beanie under the mask seal, same as with a hood.
I did notice my head was warmer. Just like wearing a hat in winter, which I should know!!;) I will stick to wearing it and would recommend one to others.

[UnderH2OView]

...most new divers substantially underestimate the reality that water 'sucks' heat from a person 25 times faster than 'air'. Also, another interesting 'factoid' for ya :

" Evaporation: the loss of heat associated with a change in state of liquid water to water vapor. A significant amount of energy is required to change liquid water to water vapor. A diver breathes a very dry gas. The lungs need a humidified gas. As the diver breathes, water is evaporated along the respiratory tract to humidify the breathing mixture. This can result in significant heat loss from the diver. "

...make sure that whatever thickness wetsuit you use...that it's a tight/snug fit...a leaky wetsuit is almost worthless......as already mentioned...use a beanie (I use a 3 mm Henderson one) I also use 'dive socks'.....and where possible (although this might not be possible in Cozumel due to 'laws') at least a thin pair of gloves. Even in a tropical place, in summer, I'll use a 5/4 mm one-piece wetsuit.....and I have worn a 7 mm in Cozumel in Feb...and in no way did I feel a 7 mm was too much.....but then again, I'll do 4 dives/day in Coz if possible...and 5 dives/day on the average liveaboard. You can easily cure overheating UW by venting cold water into your wetsuit...but there's no way to 'fix' being too cold mid-dive.

Thank you, this answered my 7mm question I was about to ask. My wife and I also plan on doing probably 4 dives each day for 5 days, 2 boat dives in the morning then two shore dives at the Scuba Club beach, maybe afternoon and a night dive which will be shallower but longer duration most likely. We dive New England 95% of the time, just did a New Years day dive in a 7mm wetsuit with a lycra skin underneath in 42 degree water for 35 mins comfortably, but have also dove the same setup in 72 degree water in the summer time relatively comfortably, but had to vent a henderson gold core 7/5 mm hood frequently.

[Winterpeg]

This is a follow-up to my previous follow-up. Being relatively inexperienced, I did not realize that it is possible to buy a beanie with a chin strap to hold it in place. So if anyone is going to get one, that would be my suggestion. Not wanting to waste $$ replacing the one I already have, I bought $3 worth of nylon sports fabric and 50¢ worth of velcro and sewed a strap on myself.:D

[vlkr]

the beanie came off.

i have never seen a beanie without a chin strap.

[billindenver]

I have a 3/2 but found that in Coz I was always hot coming out of the water. We dive in late October, March, June, and August and I was always warm. So, I switched to a .5mil full suit and all is well in my world. Just another data point to consider.