Undersuits - Best combo for 0 degrees water

[neil_richardson]

Thanks all,

It seems that the best thing to do is:

1. Get a thinsulate suit, then a 200g suit on top??
2. get 7mm semidry gloves and wear mitts underneath
3. get a new hood
4. Get a jacket / hat etc to put on as soon s you step out the water

This sound correct?? and any recommendations of manufacturer?? ohh an Simon, thanks mate, duly noted. When we're next out, remind me not to full do up your dry suit zip ;-)

[windymiller]

I went ice diving in Norway 2 years ago and use an o3 suit...I had 2 layers of there PBB on and that kept me warm and dry.

First dive I did, I also had a 4th element arctic on as well...I was the only person sweating that day!

Hands werent so bad, just used 3mm scubapro gloves and they were fine.

Once you get past the initial shock of the temperature its not that bad.

[principia]

A nice comfy armchair and a glass of good single malt until the feeling passes would be my recommendation

J.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by principia

A nice comfy armchair and a glass of good single malt until the feeling passes would be my recommendation

J.

The Galapagos have spoiled you, haven't they?

[principia]

Oooh I haven't mentioned to anyone for at least a week that I went to the Galapagos. Thanks for reminding me

J.

[BluGav]

A guy in my club went ice diving recently. He normally wears a 5mm drysuit with a thin base layer in Scotland (min 6 degrees temp). For the ice diving he used a Weezle Extreme and a base layer under his drysuit. He was nice and warm, needed a sh*tload of lead to sink though...

He also used his normal 5mm gloves and was fine. If you think you might feel the cold, then why not consider dry gloves?

Also make sure you get your regulators looked at before you go. Our local dive shop tweaked his regs a bit so they wouldn't free flow in the cold water.

Hope you have a wicked trip!

[johnkendall]

I've been using the Santi undersuits for the last year, and liked them so much that I've started selling them So that's my bias, having said that I've found that a 400gr Thinsulate undersuit with an addtional layer of 200gr thinsulate on the torso, and then using argon is good for a few hours in 4 deg water while scootering. I suspect that you will need to think very cafefully about dive times though as you will need to have plans in case of suit flooding. That's one advantage of the 400gr thinsulate using argon, it holds it's insulation properties well even when completely flooded.

The other thing to think about is making sure you have new undergarments, as they lose insulation over time.

HTH

John

[IanDennis]

My suggestion would be 400grm santi with xerotherm leggings, vest and top. Together with argon suit inflation, drygloves and a good hood then very warm and certainly capable of providing sufficient thermal protection for these type of conditions for some individuals.

Ian

[uwila]

I've done 42 dives in the Arctic under ice and tried 2 different set-ups:
First 2 weeks: close fitting Merino wool jumper and leggings with Weezle Comfort under a membrane suit. Normal hood and dry gloves
Second 2 weeks: same underneath with a Northern Diver 5mm crushed neoprene suit. Gimp hood and 3-fingered mitts.

At no time did I feel that extreme cold was a problem, apart from the time my dry gloves leaked (and when I was talked into jumping in stark bollock-naked). During the first trip, I did get cold hands, but it wasn't crippling. I was warmer the second time, but felt that the biggest improvement was the hood and gloves. I'm going back in 8 days time Yeeeee-Haaaa!!!!

I've decided to revert to the membrane suit as it is more comfortable and for dive times of up to 56 minutes it was fine. I'm trying a xerotherm arctic undersuit this time over the same Merino wool base layer. I'll let you know how I get on...