How cold will you dive wet?

[Belmont]

3 mm Henderson Hyperstretch on my last training in the Thousand Islands, the water was 66 degrees. We did three 90 minute dives that week end.
My instructor was wearing a dry suit with heavy insulation.
I fount it a bit chilly after an hour but not enough to call the dive.
I guess I have some of my own insulation...

 

[speedhound]

Used a 3mm farmer-john in the US. Got some odd looks wearing the same in Wales in April. After two dives I was getting some really odd looks....
After that I vowed to get a drysuit - Northern Diver "Divemaster", looking forward to getting it wet next weekend!

 

[3-Ring Octopus]

If it's not tropical, I'm in my drysuit. So basically...I'm always in my drysuit.

Cheers,
Austin

 

[Nudgeroni]

It looks like there is a range of temps for folks and I will have to find out what my personal tolerance is.

Thanks for all the info. I feel a lot more confident that my wife and I can at least get some wet diving in while we figure out what we like/want in terms of the local area. We'll have to see if it is worth buying wetsuits, or if it is better to just save up for the drysuit.

 

[Teamcasa]

I'll let you know after I get a drysuit!
Winter SoCal water is fine in my 7mm w/hood and gloves.

Dave

 

[The Logic Theorist]

I've been to 40degrees in a 7mm semidry with a hood. I was fine, I probably could have gone colder. But then, I tend to always be warmer than everyone around me.

You should do a little research on alpine climbing btw, those guys have a ton of techniques for keeping your body temps up in sustained cold.

 

[DiverBeth]

If the temp is in the mid 50s that's when I go dry. I've dived in upper 40s with my 7mm and survived. I prefer to be comfortable especially since this year I started dry suit diving but we all do what works best for us.

 

[Spratman]

I've dove a 5mil FJ in 43 degree water. It was cold, after about half an hour! Normally, I would dive a 6.5mil FJ and was okay.

However, now I dive dry, but probably would dive wet after about 70 degree water temps.

 

[El Orans]

I've done less than 40F / 4C...

 

[ekewaka]

I have done 45F. If I had a dry suit, then I would have used it.