Undersuits - Best combo for 0 degrees water

[neil_richardson]

Hi All,

Got a trip planned to dive in some 0 degrees water. However, living out here in Australia, the water temp rarely gets below 14. So, under my waterproof draco compressed neoprene drysuit, i generally get away with merino underlayer and THICK socks. Hence, am looking for advice on what combo of undersuit to wear, and what glove and hood system / layering?? i at present use cycling gloves and a beaver 5mm hood, and they keep me toasty for beyond an hour in 14c water.

Thanks in advance.

Neil

[G man]

The coldest Ive dived in is the Quarry and thats probably 3-4 deg in winter.

I use a fourth element exotherm artic with Helly Hansen base and its ok if a little cold doing deco.
With Compressed neo Ri200 03 drysuit
3mm 03 gloves and standard 03 hood.

You will need thicker gloves or dry gloves as my fingers get cold.

Regards G.

[David Tombs]

It also depends on the level of physical activity. If in caves and pulling yourself along,thus little energy you will be much cooler.

[neil_richardson]

Na,, this is Antartica. Got a trip there later in the year, so..

[simon varley]

don't be such a bloody wuss. get the semi dry back out

[digital_steve]

Lucky bastard!
How good would diving in Antarctica be!!?!

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by digital_steve

Lucky bastard!
How good would diving in Antarctica be!!?!

Nah - I hate snow.

You should sell him your undersuit Steve.

[tonhil]

Depends how long you want to stay down. I have not dived in water that cold but I have dived where the top bit is solid and have done a couple of hours under those conditions on several occasions.

My observations;

Varies greatly from person to person.

Eat - be fit but get fat.

The water on your face will feel like a good solid punch on the nose when you first get in, you will have a blinding headache and you will feel as if you can't breathe - ignore it - all nonsense it passes very quickly.

Merino wool is good and then put on as much quality thinsulate as you can cram under your drysuit. You will probably need a practice dive or two with all this and they will be horrible and sweaty dives. I am using C Bear 200g undersuit at the mo and it is very good. Some sort of sleeveless vest would be good too.

A full face mask will keep you much warmer but your air consumption will go through the roof and they require lots of practice so I would say don't go with this.

Stay warm and try to keep your gear warm immediately before the dives.

My hands suffer and I would recommend fingerless neoprene mittens which clearly cover the wrist area. I use 7mm ones from Seatex in Stavanger but folks in Oz would make them for you. Make sure they fit. If they are even a little bit tight - particularly around the thumb - they will restrict blood flow and your bits will get cold. Once again these need practice to use underwater but not as much as it might first appear. I would speak out firmly against dry gloves as I find them unreliable and not as warm.

A "gimp hood" is used by some although I have never got along with them .... for diving. For a trip to the big A I would definitely pack one just in case.

Get an old insulated coat that is big enough to go over your drysuit and put it on immediately after you get out of the water - hat and mittens should be at the ready too. The salt water will quickly fcuk any zips on the coat so don't use a favourite.

I think you would then be in business and you could stay down at your leisure. Of course you might decide that some of this is overkill and it will take a while to get these things organised down under.

How may dives do you plan to do? Is it a tourist trip?

BTW the British Antarctic Survey (and presumably the Oz equivalent) have diving programmes and email addresses. You could chase them up.

Have fun - am envious.

[tonhil]

PS get a new and thicker hood.

[Eoin]

I use a 5mm neoprene suit, Weezle Extreme and 4th Element Artic socks. I also use either 2mm or 5mm gloves, depending on how much I reckon I'll need to fiddle with bits on the dive! Been ok for 8 degrees this year so far, but I really feel the cold (skinny fecker that I am...).