32 replies to this topic

[annasea]

I'm off to Florida next month to start my OW (again )! At the top of my Things-to-Buy list is a swimsuit -- preferably a tankini -- that works well in the pool in addition to under a wetsuit.

I've done some research and it seems that some women prefer to wear a dive skin under their wetsuit instead. I've had a look at them and I must say, I'm not too interested in wearing a full-length garment (dive skin) under a full-length wetsuit.

My questions are:

Do you prefer to wear a swimsuit or a dive skin under your wetsuit?

If you're wearing a dive skin, my understanding is the wetsuit (especially when wet) slides over it more easily, but just how comfortable is it? (I don't like wearing tight layers.)

If you're wearing a swimsuit, what type and why? For example, other than dingly-dangly things found on *fashion* swimsuits, is there anything else I should be aware of or avoid? (fabric, cut, support, etc.)

[Latitude Adjustment]

This young lady on the dock at Utila apparently found a third option

[David Evans]

This is my recommendation for my female dive students:






(you look good in pink!)

[Dive_Girl]

annasea - skins worn under wetsuits may also be worn with in conjunction with a swim suit. The skin offers a bit more warmth protection, protection against wetsuit rash which can occur often under a diver's arms and behind the knees where the skin is more sensitive, and allows for a wetsuit to be put on and off easier.

In warm water with a good wetsuit, I prefer just a tankini as well. Tankinis ride a little less in areas, still allow for the ease of using the facilities, and one can throw on a pair of shorts after a dive and quickly be decent if you need to pop into a public place.*

* Although many people believe walking around in bikinis or bikini tops is perfectly acceptable (and obviously preferred by those of the male persuasion), it can be culturally unacceptable in many places - some closer than you think. In the Bahamas tourists that walk around in bikinis, or bikini tops and those little thin printed wraps they pick up at the local markets are often considered rude and inappropriate.

[cmt489]

I simply wear whatever bathing suit happens to be the driest under my wetsuit. It can be a bikini, tankini or a one piece. Knock on wood but I have never had a bathing suit mishap and none of my suits are actually what you would consider to be utilitarian by any means.

As for Nicolle's point about the the appropriateness of bikini tops and wraps, I have to say that I would never cruise around shops, restaurants, etc. in just a bikini top and wrap in any society. I always makes sure I at least have a tee over top. I agree that it shows a lack of respect no matter where you are.

[finGrabber]

I don't have any skins myself so I dive with a one-piece under my wetsuit; I'll probably add a Tankini or 2 sometime soon for ease of facility use! Ease of use is especially important on a rocking boat or when you've been under water too long

another thing to consider is if you have skin allergies; you might be allergic to neoprene and need to use a skin under it

[nextariel]

I wear a one piece bathing suit, and always a skin. The skin can be polypropolene(AquaSkin) or darlexx(SSI - long out of business). Depending on the water temp I will add 3mm wetsuit and maybe a vest. I prefer warmer water where I don't need a wetsuit. Sometimes I will where two skins to get away from adding the weight needed for a wetsuit.

[BubbleBoy]

Hey Latitude Adjustment, what are you and I doing in the womens clothing department?

Youve been here longer than me, so maybe you will be the first to answer this question too.....

What the heck is a TANKINI ?

BB

[Doc Crawdad]

What the heck is a TANKINI ?

BB

Dude,
It can't be too revealing or else, as single guys, we would have heard of it.

[Twinklez]

Hey Latitude Adjustment, what are you and I doing in the womens clothing department?

Youve been here longer than me, so maybe you will be the first to answer this question too.....

What the heck is a TANKINI ?

BB

2 piece, the bottoms aren't necessarily full brief style, but aren't exactly bikini style either...somewhere in between. The top is more like a tank top and often has spaghetti type straps, with built-in support for a woman's breasts.

Easier to pull the bottoms down when you gotta go rather than trying to pull off a one piece, yet not as revealing as a true bikini.

Wanna try one?

[Doc Crawdad]

Wanna try one?

I may possibly volunteer, depending on who is in it.

[BubbleBoy]

2 piece, the bottoms aren't necessarily full brief style, but aren't exactly bikini style either...somewhere in between. The top is more like a tank top and often has spaghetti type straps, with built-in support for a woman's breasts.

Easier to pull the bottoms down when you gotta go rather than trying to pull off a one piece, yet not as revealing as a true bikini.

Wanna try one?

Thanks for the description Twinklez. Now I wont have to worry quite as much about my wife yelling at me if some of the SD women wear these on the August NC trip.

I think Ill pass on your offer to test one out. Frankly, I never wear anything under my skin suit.

BB

[Dive_Girl]

Hey Latitude Adjustment, what are you and I doing in the womens clothing department?

Youve been here longer than me,

classic BB!

[annasea]

(you look good in pink!)

Yeah, but you should see me out of pink!

The skin offers a bit more warmth protection, protection against wetsuit rash which can occur often under a diver's arms and behind the knees where the skin is more sensitive, and allows for a wetsuit to be put on and off easier.

Is this "rash" you write of similar to the allergies finGrabber mentions below? I've never worn neoprene so I don't know if I'm allergic to it but I do have very sensitive skin. Is a neoprene allergy quite common?

another thing to consider is if you have skin allergies; you might be allergic to neoprene and need to use a skin under it

I wear a one piece bathing suit, and always a skin. The skin can be polypropolene(AquaSkin) or darlexx(SSI - long out of business). Depending on the water temp I will add 3mm wetsuit and maybe a vest. I prefer warmer water where I don't need a wetsuit. Sometimes I will where two skins to get away from adding the weight needed for a wetsuit.

How comfortable are you in both a skin and a wetsuit, Jill?

Also, if you're just wearing your skin, how resistant is the material to accidental tears that may occur while in use? I'm under the impression that neoprene can be easily patched up, but based on the pics of skins that I've seen, they don't look very repairable.

Thank you, everyone else, who supplied responses!

[Dive_Girl]

Is this "rash" you write of similar to the allergies finGrabber mentions below? I've never worn neoprene so I don't know if I'm allergic to it but I do have very sensitive skin. Is a neoprene allergy quite common?

Chafing rashes can occur even if you don't have allergies. Anytime you have water sitting next to your skin and material moving for longer periods of time you can get chafing rashes. This is common in water sports (surfing for example), which is why you see supplemental rash guard shirts, vests, pants to minimize this occurance. Lycras work well for this as well under diving wetsuits.