Tackling cooler water!

[Aerodive]

Having dived warm water so far, i tried the UK this year (4 dives NR falmouth) whilst on holiday in cornwall in august. The water was 16deg C and i managed ok with my usual (only!) 5mm suit, great fun dives!. I'm now looking for a 7mm semi dry to extend my experience in UK waters and would welcome any advice (possibly what to look for or to steer clear of!). Other divers experiences welcome.

[purple vonny]

Look at getting a drysuit then you will be nice and warm. I know they are expensive but if you want to do UK diving, it really is the only way to go. Unless you are very hardy.

[KeyLimePie]

Wot Vonny said. If you're serious about UK diving, get a drysuit.

[Aerodive]

I'm not drysuit trained yet. I'm quite hardy and the money saved would be enough for my own tanks and weights (the only kit i don't have yet). Being from the northeast (where the women go out in 50g of lycra during february!), you risk getting called a nancy if you complain of cold at anything above -10C. But on a serious note, i thought i'd build up my kit steadily, the cats inheritance is at stake!.

[MartyC]

Well, if it were me, the cat could swing for it and the inheritance goes on a dry suit, its the only thing that makes sense in UK waters

[purple vonny]

Don't worry about not being drysuit trained. it doesn't take long and if it was that difficult, most of the people on YD who dive in the UK regularly would not be able to use them

Do you have access to a pool or somewhere that does training so you can try one out?

By all means, go for a 7mm 2 piece, I did 2 years in one because I couldn't afford a drysuit and I was miserable because I was so cold. And getting out of a wet suit in a cold wind is really no fun at all.

You will pay in the region of £200 for a 7mm semidry so why not just spend a wee bit more and start feeling comfortable?

If you want to do a lot of diving here, please consider the option of a drysuit and don't die of hypothermia. Another plus is that you can dive all year round.

[Aerodive]

Thanks for the advice.

Now looking online

giggling....
Do ikelite make a housing for a 7Kg cat?? (stop squirming and think of all the fish/crabs you can chase lloyd!!)

My girlfriend seems to think a diamond or shoes would be a better investment but i surely my fin straps would slide off a 4" heel!

[Anita Blake]

Started my OW course today in a 7mm semi-dry by Water-Proof. The water was 13 degrees and I found it ok, didn't even need gloves on. I couldn't afford a dry-suit yet so it's enough to get me started.

But then I know I'll have to wait until next year before I can do much diving again, as the weather is getting colder

[String]

I'd say go drysuit first THEN the rest of the kit.

Drysuit means comfort all year round. Wetsuit means ok in summer but may still freeze on the boat and forget mid winter.

People buying wetsuits tend to sell them after a year and buy a drysuit anyway losing about 75% of what they paid for the suit.

So its cheaper to buy a drysuit now than a wetsuit then dry.

£200 for a decent wetsuit, £300 or so for a drysuit and thats new. Its worth the extra.

[Peter M]

Go for a dry suit, i was silly enough to do a dive in August over in donegal in my 7mm steamer, NEVER again wetsuits are for the Red sea or Malyasia when you feel cold.