St. Lawrence + 7mm wetsuit = how long a season?

[Air_Miser]

Ok,

So this is my first season diving, and the equipment piggy bank had enough in it to get me fully geared, but not enough for a drysuit this year!

Just wondering around when you other wetsuit divers call it a season? Halloween?......Rememberance Day?.....

Let the bragging begin .....

Matt

 

[Groundhog246]

That will vary from person to person. For my wife, usually by the end of October. For me, when the water gets hard. I did a dive on the Morrison in Lake Simcoe Dec. 22/02 water was 41F, air about 5C and Coploy's Bay near Wiarton Jan. 1/03 water was 38F and air was -6C with strong winds. On the Morrison we undressed in my van after the dive (dressed ofr it outside), Jan. 1 was a group event and there was a tent with heaters which kept it about +12C
Sorry for the mixed temps (C&F). My dive gear all Imperial, while my vehicle thermometer is C.
Both dives were in a 7mm Bre Extreme (one piece). I;ve since bought a sleeveless jacket and have had it down to 42F, worth the extra. I find the one piece itself fine down to the low 50's, but cool below that. I find the one piece with a hooded sleeveless vest warmer than the john/jacket combo I started with.

 

[divedude]

I've been diving for a couple of years and have never owned or wore a drysuit. I have a icediver cert. found a two piece 7mm fine.


OK OK more than a couple of years but when I remember how long, I remember I'm a old fart :doctor:

 

[Under Michael]

Hey Matt, I have a pre-enjoyed dry suit that could be had for a few bucks.
Michael

 

[artw]

My wetsuit dive season will come to an end when my drysuit gets finished being repaired. Currently I use a 7mm farmer john/jacket and a 3mm shorty on top of that. 5ml hood and 5ml gloves. and I am warm. I could probably go until the water was high 50's. but it is a personal comfort issue. If you are not comfortable half way through your dive then your safety could be compromised. Doing an accellerated ascent / shorter stops because you are cold and want out is not an option in my opinion.

Art

 

[JimC]

There is a wetsuit season on the St Lawrence?

If your a cold blooded masochist you can dive wet year round.
If you like being warm, get a dry suit.


You realy just don't realise how cold you are in a wetsuit untill you have tried it dry.

 

[tektom]

JimC once bubbled...
There is a wetsuit season on the St Lawrence?

If your a cold blooded masochist you can dive wet year round.
If you like being warm, get a dry suit.


You realy just don't realise how cold you are in a wetsuit untill you have tried it dry.

LOL! Strong language from a recent convert! But I second the notion - my last wetsuit dive in the St.Lawrence was a year or two ago, in mid-August and only to remember what it felt like. Wetsuits are for Bonaire:mean:

 

[JimC]

Shush up about Bonair already!

*looks over his shoulder for the angry, Bonair-less, wife*

 

[DPVDiver]

My first season diving I dove all winter in 7MM suit, one piece. I had a hooded vest that really helped. After that winter I purchased a drysuit and now I no longer own a wetsuit.

A couple of tips that might help to keep you warm all through the winter.

1 - Bring Hot water in a thermos to help pre heat the suit and warm your hands.

2 - Use duct tape around your legs and wrists. People may make fun of you for this.

3 - Hitch a ride to the dive site with someone who owns a Van. This way you can have someon stay topside and keep the changeroom (Van) warm while you dive.

4 - Only do one dive and get the suit off asap upon surfacing.

5 - Think about how much you actually plan to dive in the winter. Perhaps you could take a drysuit course and rent one for the few times you will dive in the winter.

Hope it helps.

DPV

 

[taz22]

divedude once bubbled...
I've been diving for a couple of years and have never owned or wore a drysuit. I have a icediver cert. found a two piece 7mm fine.


OK OK more than a couple of years but when I remember how long, I remember I'm a old fart :doctor:

I wear my 7mm wetsuit and 3mm hooded vest and enjoy diving right up to and including New Years Day. Thankfully the hot tub is close by after those dives.