By joanne on Monday, November 8, 1999 - 2:08 pm: |
We're going to Bonaire this week! Our dive shop recommended 3 mil full suits, which we're bringing. A friend who's arriving next month was told a .5 mil was warm enough for tropical diving by her dive shop. Has anyone given them a try?
|
By Paul Burton on Monday, November 8, 1999 - 2:42 pm: |
It's really personal opinion. Where do you usually swim, how long do you stay in and how cold do you get?
|
By joanne on Monday, November 8, 1999 - 4:46 pm: |
Thanks, Paul, I should have said a .5 mil neoprene suit. They're something new, compressed neoprene with a smooth nylon type lining both inside and out. I'm going to Bonaire this week and my friend is going next month. It is the first dive vacation for both of us. We've been in 2piece, 6 mil suits up in Ohio and are looking forward to the freedom of some warm water diving. Planning about 3 dives a day, about 45 minutes at 30 to 70 feet. Too much cash?...unfamiliar with that problem!
|
By Jake Richter - Bonaire E-News on Monday, November 8, 1999 - 5:33 pm: |
What to wear underwater is a very personal matter, as individual metabolisms and abilites to withstand temperature extremes vary greatly. For example, I'm a big guy (6'3", 240lbs - well insulated), and during warm water times (July through November) I normally wear just a 3 mil shorty (an old one that is quite compressed). However, while doing a 64 minute dive in moderately shallow (30-40') water today (85F temp) I started getting cool at the end of my dive. Had I been doing multiple dives today, I would have needed more thermal protection.
|
By Peggy Bowen on Wednesday, November 10, 1999 - 7:28 pm: |
Well - If I wasn't afraid of looking like some "old" diver, I might dive in my shell dry suit! But really, I get COLD after about 30 minutes no matter what the water temp is. So I start off with a skin and 3 mm. By the end of a few days, I have added a thin vest and a cap. I really think the cap does more to "keep me warm" than anything else. It is just a simple neoprene cap with a chin strap - I did cut ear holes out and poked a hole in the top so air didn't get trapped anywhere.
|
By George DeCamp on Saturday, November 13, 1999 - 1:26 pm: |
I have! I purchased a 0.5mm Scuba Pro Steamer for a recent trip to Key Largo. The suit kept me very comfortable but and I mean BUT the water temp was above 80 degrees! Keep in mind that is the temp it was meant for around 80 degrees!
|
By Anonymous on Monday, November 22, 1999 - 6:41 pm: |
I dove in the Scubapro .5 mm suit last week in Bonaire and was was fine. I did use a 3/2 mm full suit on all night dives and days where I dove 4 or more times to avoid losing core body temp. I also wore the 0.5 mm snorkeling and loved it. If you dive in it for extended periods, I recommend getting a beannie to help avoid undue heat loss.
|
Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites