Wetsuit Help

I like the lube. 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I have found the plastic shopping bag (HDPE) method to work really well to get the arms and legs in

Elaborate please.
I always thought the lube method would be a total PITA.
After my first try, seeing how easily the suit went on; I'm a big fan.

I've seen the plastic bag trick used with lined suits, but I would never use an open cell without lube.  It's not just about getting in, but comfort and mobility.  Without much lube, the suit will be a lot more restrictive in movement and plain uncomfortable.  With abundant lube and an open cell suit, I can put my wetsuit bottoms on just as fast as a pair of jeans.   



To the original question - I've seen people ab dive with as little as a 3mm open cell wetsuit; however, as a admitted cold-wuss, I personally would never attempt it with less than a 7mm.  As damdan mentions, it's all about how long you want to be in the water and how cold tolerant you are.  One thing to keep in mind is... the better you get at diving, the colder you'll get.  When starting out, you flounder, kick hard, and exert a lot of energy.  This translates into heat.  As you learn to relax, calm yourself, kick less, and lower your heart rate... you expend less energy and subsequently generate less heat.  For example, if I'm hustling and working shallows at a fast pace I never feel cold... but if I start diving deeper and taking longer on the surface to relax and breathe... I'll get cold much quicker, even in the same temperatures.  When in doubt, err on the side of warmth. 

That explains why I been getting cold the last few outings.well my feet gets the coldest then my body.but I don't feel as tired or burnt out afterwards.i was wondering why I was able to stay down a littl longer.just a little

I have found the plastic shopping bag (HDPE) method to work really well to get the arms and legs in

Elaborate please.
I always thought the lube method would be a total PITA.
After my first try, seeing how easily the suit went on; I'm a big fan.

I've seen the plastic bag trick used with lined suits, but I would never use an open cell without lube.  It's not just about getting in, but comfort and mobility.  Without much lube, the suit will be a lot more restrictive in movement and plain uncomfortable.  With abundant lube and an open cell suit, I can put my wetsuit bottoms on just as fast as a pair of jeans.   



To the original question - I've seen people ab dive with as little as a 3mm open cell wetsuit; however, as a admitted cold-wuss, I personally would never attempt it with less than a 7mm.  As damdan mentions, it's all about how long you want to be in the water and how cold tolerant you are.  One thing to keep in mind is... the better you get at diving, the colder you'll get.  When starting out, you flounder, kick hard, and exert a lot of energy.  This translates into heat.  As you learn to relax, calm yourself, kick less, and lower your heart rate... you expend less energy and subsequently generate less heat.  For example, if I'm hustling and working shallows at a fast pace I never feel cold... but if I start diving deeper and taking longer on the surface to relax and breathe... I'll get cold much quicker, even in the same temperatures.  When in doubt, err on the side of warmth. 

Great info, very true. here is a written overview of the bag technique:

Wetsuit techniques - Entry
A good trick is to use a plastic bag throughout this process, as it makes the suit slide on a lot easier.

    Put your foot into the bag and then pass it through the wetsuit.
    Once in place take the bag off and use it on the other foot.
    Work the suit up into place. It is essential to have the knee pads sitting in the correct position and the crutch as high as possible before proceeding to the top half.
    Once the suit is pulled up nice and high and when you're ready to put your arms through, use the plastic bag again on your hands. The bag reduces any stickiness and lets your limbs slide easily in and out of your wetsuit.
    Pull arm through and remove bag. Repeat with other arm.
    To do the zip up, hook one thumb through the loop at the bottom of the zip and pull downwards. With the other hand, pull the zip cord up while arching your shoulders backwards. Do not force the zip. If it jams in the zip flap, you will need to slide it down before trying to do it up again.
    Once zip is up, fasten the adjustable collar to a firm, comfortable position. A loose collar will let water in and can cause chaffing.

Wetsuit techniques - Exit
Take your time. Your wetsuit will slide easily off your body. You can also use the plastic bag again if needed.

    Undo the zip and unhook the velcro collar. Do not use the collar as a handle.
    Grab onto the shoulder or upper back area, to pull the wetsuit forward off the upper body.
    Lift your arm, upwards and backwards to peel off.
    Then roll or peel off the lower body to the feet, to end with the suit off and inside out.

Then here is a video from YT for a zipless model suit for surfing, but the technique still applies:

The shopping bag trick as described is for scuba or lined suits.  Without lube you will not be able to adjust the suit once it's on, it will adhere to your skin.  I once tried to put on an open cell suit without lube.  I did it in a warm shower, thinking the water would be good enough.  First, it was a pain getting the thing on.  Second, once on the suit stuck to me like it was glued on, I could hardly move.  I took off the suit and lubed it the right way and put it back on.

As far as one piece vs farmer john, I have both (neither Mako).  On the farmer john the upper half is thinner than the rest of the wetsuit, so it isn't much thicker than 7mm on the torso.

7mm vs 5mm.  I would not consider the 5mm in nor cal.  If you are lying on the surface putting fish on a stringer, reloading a gun, resting, doing a breathe-up, waiting on your buddy, you will spend a lot of time not moving.  This is when you are going to get chilled.  The effect is worse if the wind is blowing and of course if the water is colder.  Once you get cold your breath hold diminishes.

Tom

I have a large xcel 7 mm with titanium lining with attached hood that you could try it on. it has been in the closet for a few years and the shade is bad for them because it has shrunk a lot.
Call me and you can try it within the next week cause I am planing on taking it to GS7 to trade it or sale it. it has been worn about 5 to 7 times.

7mm vs 5mm.  I would not consider the 5mm in nor cal.  If you are lying on the surface putting fish on a stringer, reloading a gun, resting, doing a breathe-up, waiting on your buddy, you will spend a lot of time not moving.  This is when you are going to get chilled.  The effect is worse if the wind is blowing and of course if the water is colder.  Once you get cold your breath hold diminishes.

+1

What's more, as the suit ages, the neoprene will crease and compress, especially along the sides of the top, in the hood/neck, and along the sleeves. With a 5mm, this problem is exacerbated since the neoprene is thin to begin with. With a 7mm, creasing is noticeable, but not as bad.

I retired my 5mm within a year of frequent use. Conversely, I'm approaching two years with my 7mm, and I only get cold after some 4 hours at sub-52 F.

Slightly off topic, but having good sealing gloves and socks will go a long way in keeping you warm as well.

What kind of conditioner are you guys using to lube up?? Just got a new mako 7mm n don't want to f that up.
Patt.s

What kind of conditioner are you guys using to lube up?? Just got a new mako 7mm n don't want to f that up.
Patt.s

Whatever conditioner is on sale at CVS.   

 

Sincerely,

Jim

What kind of conditioner are you guys using to lube up?? Just got a new mako 7mm n don't want to f that up.
Patt.s

Whatever conditioner is on sale at CVS.   

 

Sincerely,
Jim

What about the whole non-petroleum thing? I can't find any bottle that tells me

What kind of conditioner are you guys using to lube up?? Just got a new mako 7mm n don't want to f that up.
Patt.s

You can get whatever is on sale it will be fine.  I prefer an unscented conditioner.  The one recommended to me and the only one I have found is Cure Care from Sally/s Beauty Supply.  I buy it by the gallon for about $9

A gallon!? That's awesome.