Advice on dry suits

[kinetic]

I really need some advice...

My cold water lake dives have seen my colleagues in various types of dry suits and I'm told this one cost that and that one etc etc and I'm in a 7mm wet with a 5mm sorty with hood on top, 5mm gloves and boots.

Having done some overhead ice dives and then just cold water dives I noticed that I was really snug...my fingers were the first to go after about 25-30 mins...but then the blokes with dry suits had the same problem...fingers, often before me. They were wearing the same gloves as I was...so for me, what was the point of a dry suit in that situation.

My question is, what is a good dry suit with sealed boots and with the possibilty of sealed gloves or mitts..

Not a dry suit expert, used one once and it was too big...had some fun though...I'd just like to know what I should be considering....

Many thanks.

[angleseydiver]

<font color='#000080'>Cold hands can be tolerated but if you get &quot;chilled to the bone&quot; it doesn't take long to become hypothermic.
Another consideration is wind-chill once you exit the water- I
would definately choose a dry bag over a semi-dry/wetsuit for a post-dive RIB journey in winter  
Maybe I'm letting down the side of the rufty-tufty Northern Posse .... but I don't care!
ATB,
      Terry.

PS: My preference is def. 7mm Neoprene .. but all my dives are Boat-dives. The movement afforded by a membrane suit would probably be of benefit for shore-diving etc.

[daz]

<font color='#000080'>Sounds like a real rarity,  snug in a semi dry in very cold water.  

The options are (Should you decide to go that way)..

Neoprene,  warm, but does lose it's insulation capability as you go deeper as it compresses,  also your buoyancy will change.  You will need more weight to sink initially and then as the suit compresses it will be less buoyant.  can be a bit restrictive like a semi dry.  Slow to dry out.

Compressed/hyper compressed Neoprene.  Warm,  does not suffer as much from the compression problems of standard neoprene,  can be a bit restrictive like a semi dry.  Slow to dryout.

Membrane.  Still needs to be a good fit,  not snug, slightly baggy but you should not be able to get you and a small family in.  Generally not as restrictive as neoprene.  Can vary the undersuit to suit different conditions from one thin layer to multiple thicker layers.  Dries quicker than neoprene.  

Personally I use a membrane suit,  would consider a hyper compressed neoprene,  would not touch a normal neoprene.

If you are serious about cave diving,  you should be considering twins as a necessity for redundancy.  With this in mind flexibility could be extremely important to perform shutdowns efficiently.  

I would strongly recommend taking your time to make the right decision.  Do not base your decision on price.  Make sure you try the different types.  Try crouching, stretching, reaching between your shoulderblades with each hand.

Undersuits.  Many and varied,  bit more limited with neoprene drysuits as they are more snug.  A couple of options.  Fourth Element Xerotherms (works with Neoprene and membrane).  Weezle Extreme or extreme plus (Membrane).  You can also combine the xerotherm with the weezle for extra insulation with a membrane.   I really rate my weezle undersuit but there are some people who are not as keen.  They only work if you have sufficient air in the suit to stop them getting compressed.

Gloves.

Drygloves - Hate them.  They reduce the touch and sensation (Now ain't that a typical bloke comment, that could be made about something else !!).

Mares 3 finger mitts - John Gulliver amongst others rates them (and he dives in cold conditions !!)  Have not tried them so can't comment.

I use really thin 3mm cressi metalites,  definately not warm but I am willing to comprimise on warmth for flexibility.  

Hood - A good one that fits properly  

Hope that helps.

Daz

[Seadart Bob]

<font color='#333399'>Hey Terry

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Maybe I'm letting down the side of the rufty-tufty Northern Posse ....

“yer I’ll go along with that”  yer big puffter !!!!!!

[daz]

<font color='#000080'>

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Seadart Bob @ April 16 2003,23:38)]Hey Terry

“yer I’ll go along with that”  yer big puffter !!!!!!

You make that kind of accusation and then follow it up with this :-

Is that an offer or just teasing

Daz

[Seadart Bob]

<font color='#333399'>daz
just spotted your post.

&quot;hmmmmm&quot; &nbsp; wot offer's on the table? &nbsp; &nbsp;

[John Gulliver]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (daz @ April 17 2003,00:10)]Mares 3 finger mitts - John Gulliver amongst others rates them (and he dives in cold conditions !!)  Have not tried them so can't comment.

Yes, they're simply the best – much better than any others I've had. They're warm and very supple – easy to put on and take off and easy to work in. Unfortunately, though, Blandford don't import them to the UK, for some reason. I've e-mailed them suggesting they start doing so as there is obviously a market for them. If anybody wants them in the meanwhile, I'll be pleased to get a pair and post them to you. They don't weigh much so the postage can't cost much.

[kinetic]

Thanks all for your suggestions, pointers and tips...very much appreciated....

Hope you all have a good and safe Easter weekend diving....me I'm going to do some navigation exercises in the lakes of Luxembourg on Sunday and Monday and investigating a sunken church in the dammed valley lake as well as some small (and I mean small, caverns...more like extended rock overhangs..well I'll see tomorrow)....followed by roast lamb and researching dry suits following your advice.



By the way, I'm just finding out about the various cave, cavern, spring dives around east France, Belgium, Germany and Lux....and it seems there are a few....if anyone is ever this way let me know.

[Seadart Bob]

<font color='#333399'>                        

Hey

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]PS: My preference is def. 7mm Neoprene .. but all my dives are Boat-dives.

After all that micky taking I’ve just realised that I’ve got the same set-up as Terry
Say na more.

John
Am interested in a pair of these mittens.
Used to use something similar back in my Navy days but we had to make them ourselves and got on with them really great.
If it’s not to much trouble can you let me know price and how to pay.
Cheers
Bob.

[angleseydiver]

<font color='#000080'>We're mates again then, eh, Bob.
I'll remove my objection to your helmet avatar then, if you like.
ATB,
        Terry.
PS: Easter has had to be cancelled: