Wetsuits and air consumption

[JFine]

I was speaking to a more experienced diver yesterday who strongly suggested that I consider wearing a full wetsuit as opposed to just a shorty in order to help with air consumption.

His thinking was that better exposure protection leads to lower air consumption because your body isn't burning through so much energy to stay warm. Makes sense to me as a matter of biology -- but does it really make a huge difference?

What are people's thoughts?

[DevilDiver]

If you are making multiple dives it would make a difference in warm water. You still loose body heat even at higher temps. This is a valid point if not for air consumption for your over all well being.

It's a matter of comfort mostly, if in the tropics and you do not have acess to cover a full might be to much. (You can over heat as well) Be aware of the things that effect you and take care of yourself........

[JFine]

Sorry -- I should have mentioned that I was talking about diving off florida and in the caribbean.

I'd definitely want to wear more than a shorty in in the PNW -- or other cooler locales.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by JFine

I was speaking to a more experienced diver yesterday who strongly suggested that I consider wearing a full wetsuit as opposed to just a shorty in order to help with air consumption.

His thinking was that better exposure protection leads to lower air consumption because your body isn't burning through so much energy to stay warm. Makes sense to me as a matter of biology -- but does it really make a huge difference?

What are people's thoughts?

It might be a small effect. But there is so much more to be gained by reducing your movments. Keep your arms tight in and wrapped close to your body with thumbs tucked into a waistband. By dead on horizontal in the water. And most importantly be in good enough shape so you don't get winded with mild exercise.

Yes you need oxigen to make heat but other things matter more. One example. I dive about 1/2 the time in a drysuit and half in a wetsuit.
Our water temp here is mid 50's. while I know I'm much warmer in my drysuit I use more air in the drysuit than in the wetsuit. The reason is the extra drag in the drysuit. Wetsuits are more streamlined. This completely overshadows the temperature effect.

[Aussie]

Do you feel cold after a dive? Are you doing multiple dives? You doing long dive times? If any are yes well a full suit would be good.

I dive in board shorts and a hood in summer. Rashie too if there is stingers in the water. I do multiple long dives and just sun myself between dives to warm up.

I recommend a hood. 3mm hood are great in the tropics with a shortie and a rashie.

I noticed that you have logged less than 25 dives. I wouldnt worry too much air consumption when your starting out. Just enjoy yourself and do more diving. You will notice each time how much better you get with your air consumption.

If the water is warm enough I prefer to diving in board short. No restriction with anything.........so much freedom in movement.

Aussie

[thesmoothdome]

Originally Posted by Aussie

I noticed that you have logged less than 25 dives. I wouldnt worry too much air consumption when your starting out. Just enjoy yourself and do more diving. You will notice each time how much better you get with your air consumption.

Aussie

Much better advice than worrying about the difference in SAC rates between a shorty or a full suit. If you're not cold, don't worry about it. Just have fun.

[Charlotte Smith]

Originally Posted by Aussie

Do you feel cold after a dive? Are you doing multiple dives? You doing long dive times? If any are yes well a full suit would be good.

I dive in board shorts and a hood in summer. Rashie too if there is stingers in the water. I do multiple long dives and just sun myself between dives to warm up.

I recommend a hood. 3mm hood are great in the tropics with a shortie and a rashie.

I noticed that you have logged less than 25 dives. I wouldnt worry too much air consumption when your starting out. Just enjoy yourself and do more diving. You will notice each time how much better you get with your air consumption.

If the water is warm enough I prefer to diving in board short. No restriction with anything.........so much freedom in movement.

Aussie

I agree aussie! I wear my swimsuit and a Henderson vest....and my husband wears a shorty and I still out-breathe him with a smaller tank but he gets cold and I don't. I like the feeling of no wetsuit but I can't do that in deeper water with low temps. I can't do it in the ocean because of the reefs. But thats just me....