Anyone not use wetsuits?

[xfive4x]

My idea of a warm water dive involves wearing trunks and a rashguard under my BC. Does anyone else dive this simple setup? I just don't really like wearing wetsuits, and if I am in warm water I would prefer not to wear one. I understand they would protect one from abbrasions and such, but it would seem that proper buoyancy would eliminate the risk of abbrasions. Thoughts?

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

I dove Cozumel last October in a pair of swim trunks and my BC. No problem, but I've always had very good buoyancy control. This time, I'll be taking a skin and a thin wetsuit, just because I like having the extra protection.

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

Protection from sun, sea-lice, jellies..and it hides my love handles.

Dave (aka "Squirt")

 

[Walter]

I skip the rash guard in warm water. If you wear a wet suit or a sissy suit, you miss part of the experience.

 

[Damselfish]

Protection from sun, sea-lice, jellies..and it hides my love handles.

Dave (aka "Squirt")

what he said - the best bouyancy control in the world won't protect you from stuff like jellies. A suit can help some against run-ins with from gear and boat stuff too.

That said, I have dove in a tshirt on occasion.

 

[gangrel441]

I skip the rash guard in warm water. If you wear a wet suit or a sissy suit, you miss part of the experience.

Nest, you'll be saying "Real Men Dive Naked"

 

[Cuda_72]

In the summer time I dive the local lakes/quarries with just swim trunks. No worries about stinging critters where I dive.

 

[rubberduck]

I did my open water dives in Aruba with just a swimming suit. No problems, water was 82 degrees. One of the instrctors also preferred to dive this way.

 

[VinceDS]

I live in FL and have to tell you that I have never been in the water w/o at least a 3mm suit. Despite proper buoyancy, which you think you may have, shuff happens. Years ago, w/o a wetsuit, I inadvertantly slammed into a reef and got cut up pretty good. It took a very long time to heal and I did wind up with a few infections.

Stick w/ a wetsuit, if not for the cold, then for the protection.

 

[Walter]

Nest, you'll be saying "Real Men Dive Naked"

As close to it as culturally possible.

Diving is an experience that involves many senses - balance - sight - touch - taste - hearing - smell - cover your body when cold doesn't force the issue and you've handicapped yourself and lessened your enjoyment. I prefer diving warm water, not because I dislike dealing with cold, but because a wet or dry suit lessens my experience. In an exposure suit, you don't feel the gentle caress of the ocean. Sure, I get a jelly sting from time to time, but I get them in the winter when diving with a wet suit as well. If you prefer not to experience Mother Ocean gently holding you, wear a suit all the time, you won't offend me.