dry vs wet

scottweideman · Dec 3, 2011

Fairly recently near my home town in Idaho a person drowned in the river. The local police and search and rescue would not dive in the water saying it was too cold for a wet suit. so they contacted a "specialist" to dive dry. anyways I use a 7mm, I have been warm down into the 50's. so my question, at what temp is a dry suit recommended? I am fairly new to diving, dont own BCD or Computer yet. so this is interesting to me

Nwcid · Dec 3, 2011

That is a very subjective question as you will see from reading lots on here. Many dive dry no matter the temp. Many think anything under 70*F is cold water where much water here never gets above 60*F. We have only done 4 dives including or OW course. Dont know the temp the first day but I am guessing 50*F. After being in for 3 dives it was very cold. Day 2 was in Lake CDA at 43*F and at less then an hour it was pretty chilly and we were ready to get out even before our air was out. The 2 dives we did on our own were in the Columbia River with temp of 53*F. Both days we dove a full tank of air and so were in just over an hour and it was not bad.

We dive 7mm full with 7mm outer, 5mm boots and gloves. At some point I am sure we will go dry. Just some thoughts from a new guy.

scottweideman · Dec 3, 2011

I know it is very subjective. I am just more wondering why so many dive dry I have been warm in the 50's. My father used to tell me stories of when he was young he would go up to clear lake in oregon cut a hole through the ice and dive, all this in a wetsuit. I agree with people too that out of the water is worse then in. Some time I would like to dive in the Columbia, I have been there many times my dad grew up near it.

Nwcid · Dec 3, 2011

It is all about comfort. It was 32*F out here today and I took the motorcycle to town cause the roads were clear. I got some funny looks but people do all kinds of winter sports and appear to be happy doing it. Why do people look at you funny on bike here in Dec but if I was to go out in the 10*F weather on a snowmobile that is cool and not an issue....... There is always a ton of people on the ski hills all winter long, I know I am since I am on Ski Patrol. On the other hand for me once it is over 80*F I feel like I am going to die from the heat.

If you want to dive the Columbia we would dive with you. I live less then 15 min away and the closest big town is Colville. If you are ever serious about coming this way just drop me a PM.

GrumpyOldGuy · Dec 3, 2011

My decision to dive dry or wet depends on water temp, air temp, depth and number of dives. I have done single wet dives in shallow water down to 42F, but typically someplace between 50F and 55F dry starts to sound real nice. Deep dives crush the wetsuit and kill much of the thermal barrier, also the wetsuits feel really cold when you hit the surface after the dive in cold weather.

TSandM · Dec 3, 2011

Some of it depends on length of dive, depth of dive, and activity level. I know that, when I first started diving, I was much warmer than I am now. Of course, I didn't try to stay in the water for 60 to 70 minutes -- and I swam the whole time.

My husband recertified in Puget Sound and dove wet for about six months. It was summer. But he said the first dive seemed to be no different, between dry and wet. It was the second one, where the wetsuit divers had never been able to get warm between.

soltari675 · Dec 3, 2011

Just depends on the diver. I have seen some divers dive through ice like you mentioned and were chilly, but mostly ok. I also know divers that won't go in water below 60 without a dry suit because they get too cold diving wet. I personally have been in water down to 42 in my wetsuit and was ok for 2 dives, three made me cold. But I am called a polar bear by my buddies too. I find people who rarely dive in cold water have less tolerance for it also. They may have just not had anyone comfortable diving in cold water. That's ok. I'm glad they had someone to call.

Deep-6 · Dec 4, 2011

Rescue Dives have increased task loading and sometimes require extended downtimes to conduct search and rescue/recovery. Due to those characteristics I would say that there is quite a bit of increased risk from the cold water.

I dive my drysuit year round.....unless its uncomfortably hot (air temp 90's+ surface temp 80+)....then I'll dive a wetsuit.

Tigerman · Dec 4, 2011

Its about what tempratures youre comfortable in and for how long.
I can dive 50F with a 7mm full suit with a hooded vest, but not for much longer than 40 minutes as I start to get chilled by the water.
A search and rescue dive can go on for MUCH longer than that and it could be uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst..

rongoodman · Dec 4, 2011

Depending on the environment, public safety divers might insist on dry suits(and full face masks) for protection against chemical and biological hazards, in addition to low temperatures.

dry vs wet

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