Chilly diver 5mm?

[freshorangina]

Hi,

I am getting ready to head down to Utila and Cayos Cochinos for a 6 week dive research trip. I generally tend to get cold, so I was thinking of bringing both my 2/3mm and my 5mm. Does this seem like a good idea? I am a bit tight on room in my bag since I am bringing all of my own equipment and am now wondering if I really should bring my 5mm. I will be diving 2xday 6 days a week for the first 4 weeks, and 3-5xday 6 days a week for the last two with 1-2 being night dives in the last 2 weeks. Most dives should be between 60-40 feet. Any input on this would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

Carey

 

[morecowbells]

I would definitely include the 5 mm. Like you, I tend to get chilled easily. The first few days you may be wondering if packing the 5 mm was overkill, but as the consecutive days of diving add up, your core temp will continue to drop. I would also pack the 2/3 wetsuit. You can layer it with the 5 mm or just use it to get reprieve from putting on a cold, wet wetsuit:cool2:

 

[USdiver1]

IMO, a 5mm is overkill for the cayos at this time of year (maybe in January, but not in July). I would go with the 2 / 3 mm and a lycra (for jellyfish) if you choose not to use a wetsuit. I was in Roatan June 25 - July 2 and the water was a balmy 83 degrees in the depths that I dove (down to 100'). The jellies were out in force though.

 

[freshorangina]

Hmm, I might just bring both then. My last trip which was to Bonaire a few months ago, by the end of the week I was getting pretty chilled on my second dive with my 2/3 on. I'm thinking I am better off warmer than too cold. I will be wearing my 2/3 minimum. I tend to loose weight when I am doing a lot of diving and I don't have a whole lot of "insulation" on my body, so by the end of my trip I am expecting to have lost up to 20 pounds....

Also I will be doing a lot of photography work the last 2 weeks, so my pace will be much slower.

 

[DeputyDan]

My oldest daughter always dives a 5 mil even if the water were to be 90 degrees ;-)

She has given away all her 3 mils to nieces!

 

[CajunDiva]

We just got back from Roatan and although the water was 84 degrees, even our divemaster at Media Luna was wearing a 5mm full wetsuit. I would DIE if I had to wear a 5mm wetsuit :shocked2: It's completely subjective and each person has their own built-in thermostat.

You will be doing LOTS of diving and if you tend to get chilly I think it would be very smart to pack your 5mm suit...it's better than wishing you had it

 

[freshorangina]

Ok, so update! I brought both and never once used my 5mm. That being said, I needed the 3/2 wetsuit, and pretty much never dove without it. The one time I didn't have it (it was locked in the bathroom, long story) and had a night dive, I was shivering halfway through the dive. There were some spots in Cayos with pretty massive thermoclines (Pelican Bay) where I could have definitely used the 5mm... but with my integrated weights, I didn't want to bother with changing them each time. (Yeah, I know, I'm lazy)

Carey