Question for FL Springs Divers

[scubaalex1]

What do you use for exposure protection for OW dives at the FL Springs? Just looking at OW diving there, not doing caves, not technical for now.

Thanks!

 

[grantctobin]

Duration dependent. People use everything from rashguards up to weezle extremes and Halos under drysuits. For average person, a high quality 5mm and a hooded vest are likely appropriate.

 

[kelemvor]

I'd start with a 5 mil suit if you have nothing in your locker yet. Before I got my drysuit, I used a 3mm vest over a full body lavacore and that was sufficient for most spring dives. That said, people seem to have wildly varying cold tolerance. While I might do a 30 minute cavern dive in a drysuit, @The Chairman has been seen exiting a lengthy cave dive in shorts and a tie-die t-shirt.

A hood makes a HUGE difference (and they're generally cheap). I like to use hoods that are not attached to the suit myself, that way I can use the suit without the hood later if I want. I feel like they mess with my situational awareness for some reason and tend to skip the hood despite the extra warmth.

 

[scubaalex1]

I'd start with a 5 mil suit if you have nothing in your locker yet. Before I got my drysuit, I used a 3mm vest over a full body lavacore and that was sufficient for most spring dives. That said, people seem to have wildly varying cold tolerance. While I might do a 30 minute cavern dive in a drysuit, @The Chairman has been seen exiting a lengthy cave dive in shorts and a tie-die t-shirt.

A hood makes a HUGE difference (and they're generally cheap). I like to use hoods that are not attached to the suit myself, that way I can use the suit without the hood later if I want. I feel like they mess with my situational awareness for some reason and tend to skip the hood despite the extra warmth.

I have a 3/2 wesuit, with hood, gloves and boots, and wondering if I can try combination at first

 

[kelemvor]

I have a 3/2 wesuit, with hood, gloves and boots, and wondering if I can try combination at first

You bet! Start with what you have, it might be sufficient for you.

 

[James79]

I have a 3/2 wesuit, with hood, gloves and boots, and wondering if I can try combination at first

I use a 3mm full suit usually with no hood or gloves, and add a gloves and a 3/2 shorty over it on occasion. But, as others said, it is very individual.
Respectfully,
James

 

[Johnoly]

Excellent advice from @grantctobin @kelemvor & @James79 . It's 72 degrees on the bottom and by your 3rd dive, you'll feel chilled.

I just wanted to add that a big factor is topside warmth to help your core recover. Even if it's 85 degrees topside, a jacket and hat makes a huge difference before doing the next dive. Also around the springs everything is shaded and tough to find direct hot sunshine right next to your table/pavillion/staging areas and that just makes it tougher to warm up. Pack the Hat!

 

[BrackaFish]

What do you use for exposure protection for OW dives at the FL Springs? Just looking at OW diving there, not doing caves, not technical for now.

Thanks!

As @grantctobin and others have said, it boils down to how cold tolerant are you. My all around go to wetsuit is a 5 ml one piece. Generally speaking, Spring diving is a low effort dive so you are not going to be generating much warmth by moving around. This is really true if you are involved in classes or deco. If I am going to be in the water for a longer dive or in sandy/silty conditions I will add a hood. To be honest I almost always leave my wetsuit at least partially on between dives because I hate the feeling of cold wet neoprene. Good luck and be safe

 

[tursiops]

I have a 3/2 wesuit, with hood, gloves and boots, and wondering if I can try combination at first

You need to be calibrated. What other dives have you done wearing that 3/2, and were you comfortable?
(It really doesn't matter what I wear....I'm not you.)

 

[Scraps]

What do you use for exposure protection for OW dives at the FL Springs? Just looking at OW diving there, not doing caves, not technical for now.

Thanks!

I don't do caves, either. Just caverns, single tank open circuit.

I'm generally comfortable with slightly less neoprene than the average diver.

When I wear just a 3 mm in the springs, the first dive is barely okay, but the second dive is definitely too cold.

A 5 mm wetsuit or a 3mm wetsuit paired with a 2mm hooded vest should be okay unless you are less tolerant of the cold than average.