Wetsuit for diving Red Sea

[scubadoo]

Hi,

I am off to a liveaboard this sunday out of Sharm for a week from the 14/10 to 21/10/2007. can anyone tell me which exposure suit I should take to do me for 3/4 dives a day?

Thanks

[Crieagle]

5mm semi dry is my choice. If you feel the cold pack a hood. Temp should be around 27degrees. We are dayboating for a week from sharm with Oonas dive club, we fly 19 oct. 5mm for me and my 14 yo lad is plenty fine.

[sailorbuoy]

5mm full suit for me too, hood will be useful towards the end of a week of repetitive dives as would a rash vest.

[stewbie]

Water temp was 26 degrees a couple of weeks ago. I used a shortie and rash vest, and really wished I'd taken a full suit.

I have a lot of bioprene as well, so if you are thinner, you would really want something warmer.

[N Bailey]

Came back on Sunday, I used a 2.5 mm shortie for a dive to 54m in Thomas cnyon on a rebreather and not cold except for a quick chill going through the thermocline at 50 where it dropped to 23 degrees.
Last dive on thistlegorm used a 5mm steamer and toastie all dive even after 2 hours in water.
Water temp near surface between 27 28 degrees, 26 degrees at 20 to 30 metres

Originally Posted by N Bailey

Came back on Sunday, I used a 2.5 mm shortie for a dive to 54m in Thomas cnyon on a rebreather and not cold except for a quick chill going through the thermocline at 50 where it dropped to 23 degrees.
Last dive on thistlegorm used a 5mm steamer and toastie all dive even after 2 hours in water.
Water temp near surface between 27 28 degrees, 26 degrees at 20 to 30 metres

Yes, but you are one of the hairy arsed brigade I on the other hand was in a 3 mm long and was freezing......

Corinne xx

[StuartC]

I'd recommend a full length suit for exposure protection from scrapes and sun.

I took both a shortie and 5mm semi on my first liveaboard and found I was chilled at the end of dives in the shortie and at risk of getting fried by the sun on the zodiac (it was June and I do get "moonburn")
I didn't use the shortie after the first day or so.

Full length also gives more protection should anything untoward occur such as getting stuck on a reef or separated and stuck in the water.

A shortie feels great for a dive, but if the brown stuff hits the spinning thing then you'll stand a better chance of keeping warm and avoiding injury in a full suit.

I'd also recommend the Fourth Element thermocline vest/shorts for an added base layer if you do feel the cold. Excellent additional warmth without adding to bouyancy or weight allowance, and you won't get chilled on the deck when getting out of the suit.

A hood is worth having if you do feel the cold, and may be worth stuffing into a BC pocket in case you end up on the surface or in the boat for some time and need some exposure protection.

If you're not bothered about the cold, but do get burnt, then a hat may be worth stuffing into a BC pocket for the same scenario.

[divebunnie]

Ok I know I am probably a little late for you Scubadoo but for the record, it is 26º on local sites, 25º in Tiran and you are getting some lovely thermoclines. I am on the short n slight side, so don't have a lot of volume to keep me warm so would recommend a full 5mm wet-suit. If you have a semi-dry, go for it, you will be more willing to jump that fourth time. If not, pack a hood.

Of course if you are stocky, beefy and bear a good pelt of insulating fur, then you will be fine in a shortie.. hehe.

Hope you have a great trip.