P II

[Kelly Jessop]

. He looked at me and said (and this is not verbatim) "what are you bringing me a drysuit for, you'll have a heat stroke just getting to the water" and went on to suggest if I was GOING to dive with it to use a the lightest weight capaline I could get and I might not over heat while I was in the water. .

I've known Steve for 20+ years, and I've heard that too, many times. Drysuits in the summer and even sunny Florida seem counter intuitive ,but thermal protection isn't about the thermal issues out of the water,but obviously in the water, that is why in gear rigging we donn thermal protection last. But, as a nurse you know that even the smallest amount of hypothermia,even if it doesn't exhibit itself as shivering,causes impaired mental judgement,but of course there are other physiological manifestation which can inhibit decompression. But thermal protection needs to make sense and be appropriate. For the other posters that do several hour run times,then a dry suit becomes a life support item, and failure here since there is no redundancy can be more hazardous than a failed regulator. If you are doing short cavern/ intro cave dives without decompression, then Steve's advice is timely. If you have plans to move to a level 2 cert in the future, then dry suit proficiency is important,because you don't want to introduce a new element in the class,but I am with Steve, lets get past the 90+ temperatures and get into fall.

[rddvet]

Steve tells everybody they should dive wet because drysuits are a hassle and its too hot on the surface in Florida. I think it's part his way of joking with you and part due to the fact that all he does all day long is repair suits and sees their vulnerability.

[Kelly Jessop]

Steve tells everybody they should dive wet because drysuits are a hassle and its too hot on the surface in Florida. I think it's part his way of joking with you and part due to the fact that all he does all day long is repair suits and sees their vulnerability.

Plus that last customer that dropped off a drysuit probably didn't drain their Pvalve tubing well, and he got it all over himself. For some reason that seems to piss him off.

[twaldo]

If you are doing short cavern/ intro cave dives without decompression, then Steve's advice is timely.

Have always maintained that I would HAVE to have a drysuit when I make the move to deco class.

And yes hypothermia stars before the blueness. But I am way more comfortable in my body than anyone else is and all I can say to that is when I get in the water, my metabolism kicks it up a notch. I have had arguments with people over my thermal comfort level since I completed my advanced open water dives and that was in 2003. The only time I have ever been COLD was dropping through the 2nd thermocline in Beaver Lake.... however was before I had a computer so no real clue how cold that was but was diving swim trunks and t-shirt. I can NOT tolerate water over 82 degrees to the point that I even struggle to breath because the air is so thick, even my showers are very seldom much over spring water temp.

But again...not arguing the point... I do actually own a drysuit that I hope to get to use in a month or so when it cools down.



And it was STILL FUNNY!!!

[twaldo]

Steve tells everybody they should dive wet because drysuits are a hassle and its too hot on the surface in Florida. I think it's part his way of joking with you and part due to the fact that all he does all day long is repair suits and sees their vulnerability.

His only concern seemed to be me over heating (even while in the water)... I'm NOT a small guy... 5'8" 290lbs... I put off some heat. I sleep with the bedroom at a comfortable 68 degrees and without a blanket or sheet to cover me (ok I start out covered and kick them off as soon as I fall asleep).

Still FUNNY

[rddvet]

His only concern seemed to be me over heating (even while in the water)... I'm NOT a small guy... 5'8" 290lbs... I put off some heat. I sleep with the bedroom at a comfortable 68 degrees and without a blanket or sheet to cover me (ok I start out covered and kick them off as soon as I fall asleep).

Still FUNNY

Well if you need a Drysuit, I may have a super cheap DUI for you. I bought a Drysuit used without trying it on because the guy swore by the size. He totally lied and it is too short and large for me. It may actually fit you.

Luckily he wasn't a cave diver. Just a lying sack of excrement ow diver.

[twaldo]

Got one... Gamble has it for repairs it MIGHT actually be too big for me and if that IS the case I'll be talking to Draker about a new one.

Still Smiling over his comments

[Draker]

if that IS the case I'll be talking to Draker about a new one.

Despite his pompous attitude and over inflated ego, Draker's not a bad guy; just often misunderstood.

(At least that's what I've heard.)

And I'm sure would help you out with a great suit at a very fair price.

Good luck with your current project. I truly hope to see you diving it soon.

[WEPIV]

I've been working too much to dive much recently but while catching up on my emails and forum reading scanned through some of this thread.
As some of you know, I've never dove dry in my life and always with a 3mm here in our caves. (Of course, I'm not doing hour plus long decos either.)
I've always been hot natured and have actually had heat exhaustion a handful of times in my life.

[twaldo]

I've been working too much to dive much recently but while catching up on my emails and forum reading scanned through some of this thread.
As some of you know, I've never dove dry in my life and always with a 3mm here in our caves. (Of course, I'm not doing hour plus long decos either.)
I've always been hot natured and have actually had heat exhaustion a handful of times in my life.

Glad I'm not the only one... I tried 3mil but and for the life of me I don't understand it they make me colder and I would cook in a 5mil.... deco class is up next so gonna have to make the drysuit jump.