26 replies to this topic

[Rob]

Since I'm new to the board, I might as well get this out in the open.... I can't wear a wetsuit.

I know what you're thinking but believe me I've tried! I wore a wet suit around my house for two weeks once, cleaning, doing laundry etc (yeah I'm amusing to my neighbors to say the least) I really wanted to acclimate myself, just feel comfortable in it.

No luck! Once in the water it freaks me out and feels horrible. So I dive warm, tropical only and it hasn't been a total hardship.

OK, now the question. I would like to move forward with my dive training - possibly to become an instructor (since that's what I do). I do my training (and someday instructing) in Cozumel. Is it possible to be an instructor if I can't wear a wetsuit?

Don't laugh, I'm serious.

Stacey it sounds to me that the wet suit you now have does not fit correctlt.
You did not explain as to the constrains but I am thinking a clostraphopic feel or a binding in places that it should not.
If I were in your shoes I would look at having a custom fitted suit made up. They are really confortable and not really that much more than a shelf unit made to fit the mass's.
I have a 5 mil farmer john for cold water work and it is like a heavy set of skin. I even had zippers put in the sleeves and the ankles to help in putting it on and in taking it off.
I also use a Hyper Streach Henderson full suit in 5m and find it the most comfortable suit I have ever wore.
Hope this helps
The Southern Gentleman
Rob

[Neptuner]

Hey Miss Stacy,

I can relate to your preference totally!
I'm sure many people have noticed already that I never wear a wetsuit either. On the surface, I get overheated almost instantly and they just don't breathe, period. I've got a Henderson Tri-lam that I've used a couple of times when the water was a bit nippy or contact with other elements was high-risk (wrecks,etc.), but other than that, I try to dive in the warm water and stick to a swimsuit and a wrap as well.

I can't see any reason why it would impede your performance as an instructor and major kudos for chasing that dream no matter what anyone says girl!

[Parrotman]

Stacy,

I never were a wetsuit. I do wear a skin but I have not worn a wetsuit in my last 500 dives. Granted I am not an instructor but I just returned from a 5 dive a day liveaboard and I was the only diver on board not wearing a wetsuit. I also have a friend that is an instructor in Honduras and he says he has not worn a wetsuit since he moved there 5 years ago.

I don't wear one because I get hot even in cooler water. The skin is more than enough for me.

Just my 2 cents worth

[damselfish]

lol, funny Divin Dave.
Stacey, I get claustrophobic in my wet suit when I put it on too early and I get too hot, try putting it on just before you jump in. Also my ponytail gets caught in the velcro on the zipper in the back and pulls my hair. I saw the Henderson form fitting front zippered suit in my "Scuba Diving" magazine and was going to look at it online. The site is HENDERSONUSA.COM

[BeachBunny]

I felt very confined in a regular wetsuit as well until I went with the Henderson Hyperstretch. I love it!

[ScubaSis]

Exceed Wetsuits are very soft also with lots of room in them. I hate having to wear a wetsuit.

[ScubaStacy]

Netputner and Parrotman – I love to hear that! On every dive trip I also, am usually the only one on the boat not in a wetsuit. In Belize over Christmas there was this couple in full 7mm wetsuits with hoods and everything! The water was 82◦

We non-wetsuit wearing rebels have to stick (and more importantly, dive) together! I just love the feeling of the water against my skin and feeling like I’m at one with the ocean! LOL Plus we never have to put on cold, smelly neoprene – except our booties~

Since there seems to be an overwhelming consensus on the Henderson Hyperstretch - I will check it out – just because I want to be able to wear one if I have to! I checked the website and found a dealer not to far from here.

Thanks again Everyone! I feel like I've come home!~

[diverb0b]

Hyperstretch or gold -core are great for those who find the wet suit they have makes them feel
a fobia coming on

Edited by diverb0b, 18 February 2008 - 05:53 PM.

[vettenorlando]

Oh Boy - I wasn't kidding. I'm starting to feel like a big geek!

Yes, I love my BC and I wear it really loose, freakishly loose. So I can feel the water all around me - even on my back, like I don't even have it on.... Maybe I've been diving like that so long that now it's more a matter of I'm just 'set in my ways'?

I really appreciate all the feedback/suggestions and don't want to seem 'beyond' help! LOL

I am going to try the super stretchy wetsuit and see if it's any better before I hang my head and shuffle to the corner in shame..

If worse comes to worse I'll just keep diving warm water only and sell both wetsuits on EBay!

Stacy, I am very chlostrophobic and HATE wet suits... I 2nd the idea of the Hyperstretch, however I have had two henderson's one hyperstretch and the aquasuede and can tell you, they don't hold up very well and provide minimal warmth at 3mm. So if you need the warmth consider a thicker 5mm or 7mm.

Having said that, after being through two suits like that, I decided that custom ws the way to go and I found http://www.liquidfit.com/ They were fantastic and would build whatever I wanted built and since they measure every single place on our body (some you don't want measured) it fits perfect, and if it doesn't, they fix it for you. Because of the claustrophobia I have we made a suit that has hyperstretch material across the chest, and then I did goldcore pretty much everywhere else. I used to have mini panic attacks when I got out of the water and had trouble getting out of a suit... I'd really start to freak... Solution, we added zippers on the legs and the arms so I can easily get out, behind the zippers is a flap of goldcore...

I couldn't suggest them any more highly... and I will definitely get another suit from them. I got the full body and they threw in a short that matched for a minimal cost. Overall, all the money I've spent on suits that didn't fit right, or didn't hold up, this was the best way to go...

I know Que had another custom shop that she was going to use, I can't remember the name, maybe she's reading and can help you out... they had more girly colors and designs than liquidfit, but they had the cost to go with it too. LiquidFit is a small mom and pop operation here in FL.

Good luck.

[Fordan]

Stacy, I am very chlostrophobic and HATE wet suits... I 2nd the idea of the Hyperstretch, however I have had two henderson's one hyperstretch and the aquasuede and can tell you, they don't hold up very well and provide minimal warmth at 3mm. So if you need the warmth consider a thicker 5mm or 7mm.

Having said that, after being through two suits like that, I decided that custom ws the way to go and I found http://www.liquidfit.com/ They were fantastic and would build whatever I wanted built and since they measure every single place on our body (some you don't want measured) it fits perfect, and if it doesn't, they fix it for you. Because of the claustrophobia I have we made a suit that has hyperstretch material across the chest, and then I did goldcore pretty much everywhere else. I used to have mini panic attacks when I got out of the water and had trouble getting out of a suit... I'd really start to freak... Solution, we added zippers on the legs and the arms so I can easily get out, behind the zippers is a flap of goldcore...

Henderson will also do customs, with about the same number of measurements taken. That's what I had done. I can't comment on the durability of it yet, though, since I've only had it on 4 dives to date.

On a separate note for the original poster, you're not the only one who doesn't mind it a bit cold. My first dives after certification were on a liveaboard at the Great Barrier Reef with 75 degree water, and apart from the first dive, did them in swimtrunks and a T-shirt, mostly because I didn't want to carry the extra weight on a belt to sink me plus the wetsuit. There's a bit of a jolt on the giant stride, but I was comfortable otherwise. These days, though, I generally wear my 0.5mm "microprene" wetsuit for tropical diving, more for skin protection rather than thermal protection.

[divzac]

Hi Stacy! Welcome to the board. You amy want to check this out. I have heard good things about this product. Liquid Fit Wetsuits Just a thought. Make it a great day! Zach

[vettenorlando]

[/quote]

Henderson will also do customs, with about the same number of measurements taken. That's what I had done. I can't comment on the durability of it yet, though, since I've only had it on 4 dives to date.

On a separate note for the original poster, you're not the only one who doesn't mind it a bit cold. My first dives after certification were on a liveaboard at the Great Barrier Reef with 75 degree water, and apart from the first dive, did them in swimtrunks and a T-shirt, mostly because I didn't want to carry the extra weight on a belt to sink me plus the wetsuit. There's a bit of a jolt on the giant stride, but I was comfortable otherwise. These days, though, I generally wear my 0.5mm "microprene" wetsuit for tropical diving, more for skin protection rather than thermal protection.
[/quote]

The only problem with the Henderson custom vs a liquid fit besides durability, is the cost.. Henderson charges a lot of money for custom cuts, they also do not provide free alterations after wards. With liquid fit once you are a customer, you are a customer for life and they will continue to fix your suit, all you do is cover the shipping.

I liked my Henderson, don't get me wrong... the aquasuede was beautiful.... nice and soft... the problem though is the shoulders pilled after just a few dives and the seams stitching started to come apart there as well... When I spoke with them, I sent them my suit, they said I must have velcro on my shoulders in my BC. I dive a Knight Hawk, and its a very soft shoulder... They did fix the stitch but it came undone very quickly and they were not willing to fix it again.

I love my liquid fit.