Wetsuit questions???

When it comes to a wetsuit, is it really necessary to have one if you plan on doing the vast majority of your diving in FL and the Bahamas in (mainly) warm weather months?
If so, then do you recommend a 3 mil? A one piece or two?
Would you buy a wetsuit before you bought any other dive gear--assuming you have mask, fins, snorkel already?
Are there any manufacturers to avoid? Any construction method prefferred over another? How can you tell a quality wetsuit from a cheap one?
Thanks in advance!

As far as needing a wetsuit in warmer water....that is personal preference. I always wear one as I tend to get cold no matter the water temp. I had my wetsuit custom made and it cost less than $200, not sure what the brand name is. I got a wetsuit before buying any other equipment just because of the gross out factor of not knowing who or what was in the rental before me.

Even in Fla and the Bahama's you can still get cold and a wetsuit will offer thermal protection. As for the thickness, that's personal--I dive a 3mm off NC in low 70 degree water with no problem. If I get cold I wear a hood (or hooded vest) or a skin suit underneath. I have a dry suit for the cold days.

If thermal protection is not you biggest concern, then you can always pick up a skin suit or a tropical wetsuit for prtection from stinging creatures and abrasions. They offer littel protection in the thermal range, but not too much.

As for wetsuits I use SCUBA PRO, but Henderson and most others are just as good. I also prefer the one piece suits over the two piece farmer johns.

I purchased my wet suit with my gear and would suggest that route. But I wouldn't put off the purchase of your regs or get a lower quality reg just for a wet suit. You can also purchase the wetsuit on-line at a cheaper price than the LDS. But, that being said I would NOT/NOT buy any life supprt equipment on-line. You should go in to the store and talk with the people...see what they reccomend and then compare it to another shop.

The LDS is where you need to develope a relationship...for training, trips, and advice.

When it comes to a wetsuit, is it really necessary to have one if you plan on doing the vast majority of your diving in FL and the Bahamas in (mainly) warm weather months?
If so, then do you recommend a 3 mil? A one piece or two?

You'll probably see a number of divers without suits in FL and other warm water sites but I don't recommend going without at least a "skin" usually sold as a "1/2mm". They provide protection from stings, sun and abrasions and can be had for $80-150

Most of the leading brands have their own web sites where you can find their sizing charts. Since you live in Florida, you should be able to find some of the big outlets near you with prices close to internet prices, and the advantage of trying them on.

You have lots of choices, but I think you should get something. You can also layer and get the effect of heavier suits without the price.

I like VADiver's advice about the full suit and especially about the hood - tremendous difference in thermal protection. If you buy one of the hooded vests, you also gain a couple of mm of core protection in the bargain.

My current dive wardrobe temperature ranges and prices are as follows:
> 85F - Skin ($110)
80-85F - Skin plus 3mm shorty ($120) underneath
75-80 - 3mm full ($150) - sometimes with hood ($40)
65-75 - 3mm shorty under 3mm full plus hood
<65 Margaritas in a hot tub (priceless)

Would you buy a wetsuit before you bought any other dive gear--assuming you have mask, fins, snorkel already?

Personal choice. I vote for wetsuit in the budget battle for first purchase.

Regs are most people's first pick, and you may want to go that route. Just remember, The most expensive piece of gear you'll buy is the one you don't use, or use only a few times, and then go to another model. You can get great regs that have stood the test of time like the SP Mk2 and 190 for about $195. They are rock solid, but then if you decide you want to do more demanding diving, you'll find yourself ditching them for a $4-600 high-end reg. They do make good deco bottle kits, so you won't have trouble giving them to your friends (like me).

I would do some serious thinking about what kind of diver you want to be, and make your purchases accordingly. If you stick with US dive operators, you can be pretty confident about your rental regs - they are pretty paranoid about lawsuits, so they take pretty good care of their inventory. I haven't seen any reports of diver deaths due to rental regs malfunctioning. These things are very reliable and are all fail-safe (i.e. they'll free flow at worst). You might even want to rent from your LDS (Local Dive Shop) for your trips and try out different models. Most will offer applying part of your rental to a purchase.

Are there any manufacturers to avoid? Any construction method prefferred over another? How can you tell a quality wetsuit from a cheap one?

I think if you stick to name brands you can't go too far wrong. I'd avoid the higher priced models, they offer some interesting features, but some may not really be for you.

Have fun, as least you can get lots of free advice here!!!!

Edited by Capn Jack, 24 May 2006 - 07:42 AM.

Mid May through mid November in Florida, I dive with just a swim suit. In the Gulf, you really need a 7 mil during the winter, in the Atlantic, a 3/2 is plenty.

You could do one dive without a wetsuit but you'll be chilled on the second. The other thing is a wetsuit protects you from stinging things in the water and BCD rash.
I buy a lot of gear online but wetsuits need to be test fitted to work but in Florida you can find deals at places like Divers Direct, Force or last years rentals.

When it comes to a wetsuit, is it really necessary to have one if you plan on doing the vast majority of your diving in FL and the Bahamas in (mainly) warm weather months?
If so, then do you recommend a 3 mil? A one piece or two?
Would you buy a wetsuit before you bought any other dive gear--assuming you have mask, fins, snorkel already?
Are there any manufacturers to avoid? Any construction method prefferred over another? How can you tell a quality wetsuit from a cheap one?
Thanks in advance!

I would recommend diving with something on if just to avoid jellyfish stings. Also, I got hypothermia near Sarasota. You might find yourself addicted to this stuff and diving during the winter.

Tony

You could do one dive without a wetsuit but you'll be chilled on the second.

I don't get chilled on the second or third or fourth or even the fifth.

You could do one dive without a wetsuit but you'll be chilled on the second.

I don't get chilled on the second or third or fourth or even the fifth.

Walter - a few more dives, and you'll probably sprout gills too!!

Diving without is something Burning Chrome may want to try, but I do believe the other members' advice about thermal and environmental protection is sound.

Adults have choices, and I think we have presented some to Burning Chrome.

Individual metabolisms also vary, it sucks getting cold and either being very uncomfortable or thumbing a dive because of it.

As someone who now resorts to a drysuit in warm waters, I understand the desire to stay warm . As a good friend of mine says, "Just because I dive cold water, I am not a polar bear."

When I dove wet, I used a 3mm full jumpsuit at a minimum. As I got to my last dives of the week, I started to use a hooded vest to fight the chill a bit. I would definitely recommend a minimum of a dive skin to protect you from things like jellyfish stings. This is why I won't dive a shorty on the few occassions that I do dive in the ocean.

Diving without is something Burning Chrome may want to try, but I do believe the other members' advice about thermal and environmental protection is sound.

Not for the Gulf in late summer, water temps can exceed 93° F, therefore you will overheat even with nothing. The less you're wearing, the better.

Not for the Gulf in late summer, water temps can exceed 93° F, therefore you will overheat even with nothing. The less you're wearing, the better.

93° F in the gulf at depth?

Not on the deep dives, but on the shallow ones, yes.

When it comes to a wetsuit, is it really necessary to have one if you plan on doing the vast majority of your diving in FL and the Bahamas in (mainly) warm weather months?

As many others above have noted, you will over your dives lose body heat, unless you are diving in 98.7 degree F, or your exact body temp, water. Depending on your metabolism and your comfort level, you will need to decide what exposure protection is proper for you. I started diving the Bahamas in a swim suit - it was like bath water to me coming from the PNW. Over time though as my dive comfort level in the water increased, my warmth comfort in the water decreased. I was more at ease and efficient in the water, so I was using less energy thus I got cold quicker. So I moved to a 3/2mm shorty. I then moved to a 3/2mm full suit and I'll see if after this trip next week if I'll be looking into a 5mm. I teach in a pool that is 78-81 degrees F in my 3/2mm and I find I am chilled at the end of the night.

TonyL also brings up an EXCELLENT point. Another reason I moved to a full 3/2mm suit was because I got stung up pretty bad in a shorty one year.

A one piece or two?

For suits less than 7mm, I personally prefer the fit of a one piece.

Would you buy a wetsuit before you bought any other dive gear--assuming you have mask, fins, snorkel already?

I bought my 7mm wetsuit for the PNW about the same time I bought my regs. Solid working regs are SOOO important, however, so is comfort level. If you are not comfortable warmth-wise or fit-wise in your exposure suit, I can't imagine you would enjoy your diving.

Are there any manufacturers to avoid? Any construction method preferred over another? How can you tell a quality wetsuit from a cheap one?

Many manufacturers may have different levels of quality suits to chose from in a range of mm thickness. For example, ScubaPro (which I dive), has a variety of 3mm suits to chose from. You can decide what features to the suit and price range works for you. I purchased a cheaper non recognized brand name 3mm suit a couple years back at Divers Direct in Orlando. It discolored to gray quickly, lost some of its warmth protection, and eventually tore - but it did it's job at the time. I know that Henderson is highly regarded for making great suits. The shop I work with carries Oceanic, ScubaPro, and Bare and we've liked all of them (Oceanic two-piece 7mm are our rental suits). We also carried ScubaMax for a while and their suits were decent too.

I just went through the selecting process for my new 3mm last month, so I know you are having to suss through lots of info right now to make the best decision for you. Good luck!

When it comes to a wetsuit, is it really necessary to have one if you plan on doing the vast majority of your diving in FL and the Bahamas in (mainly) warm weather months?
If so, then do you recommend a 3 mil? A one piece or two?

You'll probably see a number of divers without suits in FL and other warm water sites but I don't recommend going without at least a "skin" usually sold as a "1/2mm". They provide protection from stings, sun and abrasions and can be had for $80-150

Ditto that. I always wore a skin when I was in Florida mostly for protection from those nasty bristle worms, et al.