What Mil. to use in different water temps

[catfish]

New diver here. I suppose this somewhat depends on each person, but here is my question. What thickness of wetsuit do You use for different temps of water.

[No Misses]

Well catfish, without knowing where you will be diving, I'll tellyou what I use in FL.

If it is a shallow reef dive in 80+ deg water. I use a 3m vest as padding under my bp/w

If it is a dive over 80 fsw, with water temps in the mid 80's on the surface; I use a 3/2 full suit. This is not too much at shallow depths and as I drop through the thermocline the 3/2 is usually enough to combat the cooler temps.

If it is a winter dive with surface temps in the low 70's and sub thermocline temps in the 60's; I opt for the 3m farmer john (2 piece with overlap on the core = 6m covering chest and back). I also where a 3m beenie to keep my noggin warm :-)

[finflippers]

Try this site.
http://www.wetwear.com/howthick.htm

[subsur]

temperature sensitivity is a very subjective matter. i get cold in my 7mm one piece + 3 mm vest in 50 F water and my buddy is more or less ok in his 5 mm suit. depends on your body fat, your mood, your diving skills etc etc. some people use 7 mm in Bonaire and some dive in T-shirts, that's as big range as it gets - and where you fit into it - only experience will tell.

[scubasamurai]

have to agree with that depends on you most of the time i dive with a 3 ml shorty , but last week i dove in 75 spring water and used a 5ml for comfort and i still cramped after the third dive.

[willardj]

I wear a 3mm from about 75* and up water and I have a 7mm that I wear from there down.. I have in the past wore the 3mm in the springs at 72, but that was in the mid of the summer. Air temp makes a difference.

[Zenagirl]

We only do repetitive diving (2-5 tanks daily for a week or two straight depending on the trip), so there's more concern about keeping core temperatures from not going down too fast.

That said, if the water is 81+ degrees, I wear a 3mm full suit. Between 76-80 degrees, I wear a 5mm full suit. Between 72-75 degrees, I add a 3mm vest under it. Under 72 degrees I don't dive. If the water is 85+ degrees, some dives I'll ditch the wetsuit completely.

My husband layers a 3mm vest under his 3mm full suit for diving in the 72-78 degree range. 78-84 degrees it's a 3mm full. 85+ degrees and he's like me, the wetsuit is optional.

[BSea]

Here's basically what I wear.

Above 80 - Shortie, or rash guard & bathing suit.

75 to 80 - Thermal fleece (2mm aprox). If I'm making repetative dives, I'll add a shortie.

60 to 75 - 5-4-3 1 piece. I'll add the shortie too, and sometimes a rash guard. And a hood & gloves. I have been in water below 50 in this, but not for repetetive dives. I'll do this in the summer because I can't stand the thought of putting on that dry suit when it's above 90 outside. My Christmas wish list has a hooded vest which should help.

below 60 - Dry suit.

[thesmoothdome]

For me it's really simple: Either a 3 mil in 80+ temps or a dry suit if it's cooler than that. I own nothing else at the moment. OK....maybe I'll suffer in 78 degree water and wear my 3 mil.

[Kingpatzer]

I've been in 7mm down to 40 degrees, but I'm getting a dry suit this winter and my plans are my 3.5mm down to about 75, my 3.5 with 3.5mm core warmer down to around 65, and dry suit below that.