Layered wetsuits for 13°C/55°F waters

[CanadaDan]

I dive those temps a lot. If diving wet I normally do it it with a 5mm Reactive (equivalent to a 7mm) full suit, 7mm hood, 5mm boots and 5mm gloves (all Reactive as well). Did a series of Rescue Course dives as the 'victim' and lasted through 25 minutes of lying still at depth. I would normally prefer a drysuit but mine has had issues for a while and has been back in for repairs two summers in a row.

I think you might be fine with the 3mm shorty over a 3mm full but I would add a thicker hood, boots and gloves... unless you are impervious to cold (I know an instructor who teaches in those temps with no sleeves, hood or gloves)

 

[tbone1004]

question is a bit loaded. You don't mention how deep you're going, for how long, and what the surface conditions are.
I'm from Boston and grew up swimming in cold water. Could I do that dive? Absolutely, but I'd much rather be in a 7mm or a drysuit, especially if I'm going deep, or long, and very much so if the surface conditions aren't great... 80f and sunny at the surface? Much less objectionable than 50f and windy.

 

[Prometheanfire]

ya, I'll edit the top post to be more clear, but surface conditions are two weeks out, but average seems to be 20°C/70°F at the surface, and sunny with a mild breeze.

 

[drk5036]

I think the conclusion is, it probably won’t kill you but you’re going to be really cold: either really uncomfortable or miserable. But you’ll live to tell the story.

 

[Prometheanfire]

Ya. I'll rent a 5mm full suit at the least and possibly/probably wear the 3mm shorty under or over it (depending on fit) along with the gloves/socks/hood and see how that goes. Part of the reason for this is to figure out tolerances and the like. There will be a bunch of divers on location (it's a shop scheduled event/cookout), so if I have to get out and hang around that's fine too.

 

[anchochile]

I'm pretty average as far as cold tolerance, and I dive 55F water regularly here in California. I wear a 7mm semi-dry with a 5mm shorty layered on top. I'm comfortable enough but still get quite cold by the end of a 45-60 minute dive. Most regular divers are in drysuits in these conditions.

The coldest I've taken a 3mm was a dive in Bali where we hit a 68F upwelling at 60 ft. We were only in the cold for 10 minutes or so, but I was shivering and fairly miserable. And 68 is a LOT warmer than 55.

 

[Prometheanfire]

I guess for comparison I did 2 30min dives in the 3mm with no accessories (hood/gloves/socks) at 70°F just 10 feet of depth though. Was chilly at the end but not as bad (wife rented a 5mm)

 

[saxman242]

70°F

There's a BIG difference between 55 and 70.


Why are you so resistant to renting a 7mm?

 

[Prometheanfire]

There's a BIG difference between 55 and 70.


Why are you so resistant to renting a 7mm?

If they have it available I'll rent it, shops around here have 5mm mostly.

 

[KrisR]

Once in my less experienced days I went for a 2 tank dive session at st Abbs in Scotland in 12-13 C water for 2 - 50 minute dives at max depth 20m. Was trying to save some money before buying a dry suit so dived in my 3mm full suit with a 2.5mm shorty over the top. Wore 5mm gloves , good and boots. Between dives I couldn’t hold a cup of coffee without shaking it all over the boat. Why I put myself through that I really don’t know. Genuinely was ill for about a week and suffered really badly from hypothermia.
The whole dive I was checking my computer to see how much longer I could manage before throwing in the towel. ( my brother and I are equally stubborn so didn’t want to be the one to wave the white flag first)

Really really would advise getting a drysuit for those temps if doing multiple dives- it has made cold water diving a pleasure over complete torture. Just to add I don’t get cold easily- and when divers were wearing full 5mm in 24 C water I’m in shorts and a rashie.

Good luck to you if you manage it though.