Wet vs Dry @ 50F

[GruPoo]

I enjoy my Bare 7mm with 7mm vest/hood and can handle a 50F dive for about an hour. Afterward I get sort of peacful, but I never feel uncomfortable nor do I shiver.

If only conducting two dives a day at 50F how much estimated value does one get with a dry suit? Does the use of the dry suit, for lack of better words, deeply cut the phsyical intergration of the diver to the environment?

[comet24]

I think it depends on many other things. How long are you going to be under? What are you doing? How deep? Outside conditions? Do you get cold when diving wet in these conditions.

If your diving a quarry around here in the summer I would wear a wetsuit. If it's in late November with cold outside temps dry is the way to go. Long BT 's make dry a better option. A quick dive and wet may be the way to go.

Hope I haven't confused you even more.

[MSilvia]

I used to dive wet all the time in water as cold as the low 40s. The ONLY reason I switched to a drysuit was for redundant buoyancy when diving heavy steel doubles. Although I can dive in even colder water with the drysuit, thermal protection wasn't a motivating factor in my decision. There are still many occasions when I still dive wet, but usually only if the water is warmer than 60. After all... having bought the drysuit, I might as well get my money's worth.

[bubbletrubble]

Originally Posted by GruPoo

I enjoy my Bare 7mm with 7mm vest/hood and can handle a 50F dive for about an hour. Afterward I get sort of peacful, but I never feel uncomfortable nor do I shiver.

You can tolerate 50 degree F water with 14mm on your core for Dive #1...but how about Dive #2...and Dive #3? Do you find yourself cutting your subsequent dives short because you're shivering?

Originally Posted by GruPoo

If only conducting two dives a day at 50F how much estimated value does one get with a dry suit? Does the use of the dry suit, for lack of better words, deeply cut the phsyical intergration of the diver to the environment?

In my local waters (San Diego), wetsuit divers will be quite cold on their second boat dive at Wreck Alley. Bottom temps there can be in the low to mid 50 degrees F. I would say that, for day trip boat dives, wearing a drysuit will allow you to do that 3rd or 4th dive (if the opportunity exists). Wetsuit divers tend to sit out those dives.
The drysuit is also a great redundant buoyancy device.
Wearing a drysuit will allow you to actually enjoy your dive more. I prefer to hover a lot when I dive since I'm taking pictures of interesting aquatic life. As wetsuit divers get cold, they tend to dart around, trying to raise their metabolic rate to stay warm. This behavior has the negative side effect of increasing their SAC/RMV.
Start saving your "pennies" now. Hit up Starbucks less often. Pack a lunch to work. If you're diving 50 degree F water, you'll be much more comfortable in a drysuit. :-)

[MR.BLUE]

Personally,......I HATE DIVING IN COLD WATER!!!
The only time you'll catch me diving wet is in the tropics, where i'll even drop down to a t-shirt and shorts.

I've found that my dry suit offers me more comfortable dives, longer bottom times, and the ability to dive 365. If you decide to go dry, take a course/or work w/ someone familiar w/ dry diving. Those air shifts can be funky and potentially dangerous at depths.

I can almost guarantee that once you go dry,....it'll be tough to go back to wet unless water conditions are pristine!!

Good luck.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by MR.BLUE

I can almost guarantee that once you go dry,....it'll be tough to go back to wet unless water conditions are pristine!!

If dry suits weren't such a pain in the butt to get into, with the extra layers, boots, p-valves, etc. I'd agree. Wet suits may not be as warm, but they're a lot more convenient.

[RoyN]

I would never go back to wetsuit in waters less then 60F.

[MR.BLUE]

MSilvia,
I'll agree they can be a pain in the A$$,....especially on a really hot day w/ the sun beating down on you while you get off gear...but all these things aside......they're worth it just in the extended dive season.

I 've never used a p-valve myself...so I can't comment there.

[pir8]

Its not the H2O temp that makes me go dry, but the air temp. When I come out of the H2O and the air temp is gonna be less than 60 , then I want to be dry!!!

[Warren]

I'm fine wet down in the mid 40's even in my 5mm Thermoprene for two dives...

That's all I ever do so it works for me.

If I wanted to do 3 dives then I'd either have to cut it short or get a drysuit.

There are just so many other ways I can think of spending over $1000...