Is This True?

[monant]

I've been told that wearing a dive skin under a wetsuit will decrease its effectiveness. The only thing I've noticed is the wetsuit is easier to put on while wearing a skin. It seems to me that if you have good seals at the neck, wrists, and ankles so there is little water exchange the wetsuit should work as intended. Additionally, I believe the extra space occupied by the skin material is so miniscule that it is of little concern.

I’m open to other schools of thought.

[kwroads]

Never tried it.

[Defman]

I couldn't say conclusively but I doubt it makes much difference either.

[DollFin]

I have a lycra skin I wear under my 5mm and it makes is SO much easier to don and doff, and gives me that much more insullation when I'm diving in the Gulf in January!

[sravin1]

it makes getting in and out easier. i doubt if it does anything to affect the effectiveness of a wetsuit.

one thing that can be argued is that the water would not get warmed up faster as the skin is insulating the body from the water, but personally, I have not noticed any differences...

[No Misses]

With '"slick skin" suits there is very little water between you and the suit. Wearing a dive skin under one of these would defeat the purpose of the slik skin. IMHO

[brandon]

The only logical explanation I can think of would be that the majority of the water in the suit wouldn't be in direct contact with the skin.

Don't know how much of a difference that makes though!

-B

[fire diver]

I will have to dissagree with that statement. I have a polyolefin skin which is like a skin with a 1mil warmth factor. I have warn it under my 7mil wet and it made a huge difference. It slowed down the exchange dramatically, where it occurs most, on the back zipper. The skin is a front zip. So instead the instant freezing water and taking a minute to warm up and get used to it. It took alot longer. Not sure that came out exactly right, but basically it slowed down the exchange A LOT.

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by fire diver

I will have to dissagree with that statement. I have a polyolefin skin which is like a skin with a 1mil warmth factor. I have warn it under my 7mil wet and it made a huge difference. It slowed down the exchange dramatically, where it occurs most, on the back zipper. The skin is a front zip. So instead the instant freezing water and taking a minute to warm up and get used to it. It took alot longer. Not sure that came out exactly right, but basically it slowed down the exchange A LOT.

So it worked out in a good or positive way? What kind of skin is it? Thanks

[bubbletrubble]

The reason I wear my polyester skin underneath my 7mm wetsuit is to reduce friction between my skin and the suit. Although the 7mm seems to fit relatively well, it can grab me behind the knees a little and cause some nasty abrasions there. With the skin, I don't get any abrasions. I haven't noticed any significant thermal difference +/- skin. As others have reported, the skin makes it easier to don/doff the wetsuit.