Cold and unhappy...

[buddhasummer]

I have a Santi e.motion suit, am wearing a NorthFace base layer, heated vest and a Santi BZ200 undergarment and Kubi dry gloves. Did a 60 minute dive water temps yesterday were 56df and I'm still cold, well maybe not cold but certainly chilly. I'm around 116 pounds of pure skin and bone. I am very sensitive to the cold. I'm a bit disappointed as I thought after such a huge outlay of cash I'd be more comfortable in the water particularly given that our water is not that cold.

Maybe I'm being unrealistic in my expectations.

Any suggestions as to what I can do to get warmer would be appreciated. I'm thinking first step might be to dive with more air in my suit. I'm diving a 6kg weight belt, DSS SS plate with weight plates, 2 batteries and a 12ltr steel tank. I don't really want to add anymore weight if possible as it's already on the high side for my size and strength.

Would changing to a better base layer help? I have no idea what ones would be warmer than my NorthFace.

Anyway like I said any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be most welcome. Cheers.

 

[tomfcrist]

Could try a whites thermal fusion.... I know of nobody that gets remotely cold wearing one..... I don't use one because it makes me sweat...in 40 degree water. Could be your solution. And for what it's worth, a 200g undergarment won't keep you terribly warm anyway, regardless of the base layer. Was at least your torso warm due to the heated vest.

 

[buddhasummer]

Torso was nice and warm for first 40 mins but then seemed to cool down a little or perhaps I started to cool. I checked battery and was still on and had charge. Do you know how buoyant the TF is? Thickness? Does it have a pee valve cut out as I need one for the heated vest. I don't mind dropping a little more cash on the quest for warmth but I'm almost at my financial limit. Cheers.

 

[tomfcrist]

It's not overly buoyant, and I can't answer the p valve cutout...
I would ask around to see if anyone in your area has one that you could test dive before dropping the money on it...just sensible if it's an option.

 

[buddhasummer]

Zero chance of trying one unfortunately so it will be bit if a gamble. I'll do some investigating re pee valve cut out. Cheers.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Some additional add-on Core Warmer options to what you have already (just keep on providing more heat sources):

UTD Equipment Solar Heating System

Hand Warmers [Archive] - ScubaBoard - Scuba Diving Forum - Diving Social Network

I'm gonna try and demo DUI's Blue Heat System next weekend at Casino Point Dive Park, Catalina Island SoCal. . .

Be advised, you're always going to have some nominal "chill", due to perspiration & water vapor condensation on the inside of your drysuit and saturating your undergarment/base layers. . .

 

[tomfcrist]

I can't get past the price tag of the blue heat system. Not going to spend more on an undergarment than I did on my suit

 

[buddhasummer]

After spending 2/3 the price of my drysuit on the heated vest et al must say at this point the incremental increase in warmth doesn't seem worth the expense. Having a warmish core is nice but when your legs, arms and feet are cold it's not that great. YMMV. Still, early days yet and I guess many people go through this process trying to figure out best undergarments for their conditions and tolerance to cold.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Be advised, you're always going to have some nominal "chill", due to perspiration & water vapor condensation on the inside of your drysuit and saturating your undergarment/base layers. . .

Not true for all suits. While I did always have some nominal chill in my shell suits this doesn't happen in my neoprene suit. I believe part of the reason is because it's neoprene and has a nylon layer on the inside there is no condensation. Or at least it's getting absorbed. I've been in water as cold as 42 degrees in my neoprene suit and didn't get cold at all. And my undergarments always come out dry.

 

[Dan1219]

I dive the Whites Thermal Fusion with a wicking under garment (MKO) in Lake Michigan avg dive temp for last summer was about 38 F at 120 feet. Average dive temp is around 42 degrees. First season with the Thermal Fusion and was notably suprised as to its warmth- I specifically remember not having cold feet AT ALL last season- not to mention absolultely zero core coldness. At the temps you are describing the Thermal Fusion with a wicking undergarment or a base layer of UNder Armour should leave you toasty. For my dry glove system- I have yet to find anything better than $5 military surplus wool glove liners they work well even under ice. I also dive a 12 mm Otter Hood which is amazing for warmth. Merino wool moutain climbing socks rated to below 0 from REI have kept my feet remarkbly warm and allows for movement of toes through my rock boots. All in All- I am one very warm and comfortable diver down to 34 degrees. Down side is the Thermal Fusion is VERY BOUYANT- needs an additional 4 lbs, but worth every pound. Again- reiterarting my most prominent memory of the 2013 Lake Michigan dive season where I logged 93 dives with a temperature range from 36 to 46 degrees below 60 feet was that I returned to the dive boat TOASTY WARM from head to toe.