Cave - Mexico

*Clare Gledhill* · May 7th, 2006, 10:51 PM

Hiya - making final preparations for Cave 1 in Mexico with CLM in two weeks time.

What undersuit should I take to use under my TLS 350..... I have a 400 thinsulate (me thinks I would boil alive), a 300 gramme fleece and a PBB base layer which gives two layer on the body but one on the arms and legs... or something else...

Secondly, can I charge my NiMH light (Salvo) there just using an adaptor or will I fry it?

***Bob Cooper*** · May 7th, 2006, 11:32 PM

Clare

In the past, I've used a very old (and very smelly) 200g DUI undersuit in Mexico. You can borrow it if you like ;-)

Bob

A-M · May 7th, 2006, 11:33 PM

Hi Claire,

We were there a few weeks ago. Light charging with adaptor is ok (If the hotel runs out of power/electricity like we had you can always charge it at the shop).
I used a 100gr Bare undersuit which was more than enough for 1-2 hour dives. For longer dives I would probably take my Weezle because of weight and it's easy to dry/wash. No gloves but I did use a cap which made a big difference. Make sure you also bring goed underware to remove the sweat from your body! It's going to be really warm before you enter the water. watertemp: appr 25 degrees. And don't forget the reppelent

If you have any more questions, let me know.

Enjoy Mexico, you will absolutely love it and be addicted to that area!! Say hallo to Chris and Danny from me.

Anne-Marie

*Clare Gledhill* · May 7th, 2006, 11:35 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper)

In the past, I've used a very old (and very smelly) 200g DUI undersuit in Mexico. You can borrow it if you like ;-)

I can't wear any more of your underwear Bob - people will begin to talk

lizardland · May 8th, 2006, 12:24 AM

Drysuit??? You'll fry!!! I feel the cold but even in my caving wetsuit (which is knackered and not designed for diving) I was still comfortable after 2-3hrs. You can pee in it too, especially if you start feeling cold

indeep · May 8th, 2006, 12:34 AM

And what is DIR thought behind using a drysuit in Mexico caves?

Is it only about redundant bouyancy? Surely warmth is really not the issue.
I use a 5 mm wetsuit and am fine with 2+ hour dives twice daily.

99% of the diving there is AL 80 cf tanks.

Thoughts?

sasdasdaf · May 8th, 2006, 02:21 AM

I was advised to bring my drysuit for my Cave 2 class in Mexico and it turned out to be good advice, at least for me. I used a TLS350 and DUI200G thinsulate and was very comfortable on our dives, up to 2 hours in length. If I wore any less (or dove wet), I know I would have felt cold. Lots of people use 300G polartech too. I guess it depends how easily you get cold but I'd suggest somewhere in the range of 100G-300G thickness. Don't take the 400G or you will roast alive.

nadwidny · May 8th, 2006, 04:05 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by indeep)

And what is DIR thought behind using a drysuit in Mexico caves?

Is it only about redundant bouyancy? Surely warmth is really not the issue.
I use a 5 mm wetsuit and am fine with 2+ hour dives twice daily.

99% of the diving there is AL 80 cf tanks.

Thoughts?

DIR says to use whatever works. DIR is, after all, just basic common sense.

For those taking Cave 1 warmth is an issue. I wore a drysuit and was getting cold after my 2nd or 3rd hour in the water. There is no way I would try and do the course in a wetsuit.

For Cave 1 undergarments I would not go with anything heavier than a 200g Thinsulate. One must dress for the water temps; in which case nekkid under the suit would pretty much do. However one must also dress for a catastrophic flood in which case a lightweight fleece or 200g should suffice. 400 is overkill.

***Bob Cooper*** · May 8th, 2006, 03:32 PM

Plenty of people dive wetsuits in Mexico. They all get cold, unless they are doing really short dives.

Diving a drysuit means you will "learn" to use the suit in a cave. If you dive wet, you will not have that benefit.

It is better to learn in the gear you will use for most of your diving.

Also, "redundant buoyancy" is not DIR. There is no such thing. With a balanced rig, you don't need "redundant buoyancy".

BigJohn · May 8th, 2006, 03:48 PM

I use my dry suit in Mexico and use just long underware and a fleese vest
and a hood, you get a little warm before you get into the water but it,s
sure feels refreshing when you jump in. Who is teaching the cave 1, Chris or Danny?

May 7th, 2006, 10:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	Cave - Mexico Hiya - making final preparations for Cave 1 in Mexico with CLM in two weeks time. What undersuit should I take to use under my TLS 350..... I have a 400 thinsulate (me thinks I would boil alive), a 300 gramme fleece and a PBB base layer which gives two layer on the body but one on the arms and legs... or something else... Secondly, can I charge my NiMH light (Salvo) there just using an adaptor or will I fry it? __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

May 7th, 2006, 11:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper) In the past, I've used a very old (and very smelly) 200g DUI undersuit in Mexico. You can borrow it if you like ;-) I can't wear any more of your underwear Bob - people will begin to talk __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

May 8th, 2006, 12:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
lizardland(Offline) LCS Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Evidently Chickentown Posts: 593	Drysuit??? You'll fry!!! I feel the cold but even in my caving wetsuit (which is knackered and not designed for diving) I was still comfortable after 2-3hrs. You can pee in it too, especially if you start feeling cold __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk The Lot isn't the only place to dive: http://www.lulu.com/content/613554

May 8th, 2006, 12:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
indeep(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Deep Posts: 25	What is? And what is DIR thought behind using a drysuit in Mexico caves? Is it only about redundant bouyancy? Surely warmth is really not the issue. I use a 5 mm wetsuit and am fine with 2+ hour dives twice daily. 99% of the diving there is AL 80 cf tanks. Thoughts?

May 8th, 2006, 04:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
nadwidny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 117	Quote: (Originally Posted by indeep) And what is DIR thought behind using a drysuit in Mexico caves? Is it only about redundant bouyancy? Surely warmth is really not the issue. I use a 5 mm wetsuit and am fine with 2+ hour dives twice daily. 99% of the diving there is AL 80 cf tanks. Thoughts? DIR says to use whatever works. DIR is, after all, just basic common sense. For those taking Cave 1 warmth is an issue. I wore a drysuit and was getting cold after my 2nd or 3rd hour in the water. There is no way I would try and do the course in a wetsuit. For Cave 1 undergarments I would not go with anything heavier than a 200g Thinsulate. One must dress for the water temps; in which case nekkid under the suit would pretty much do. However one must also dress for a catastrophic flood in which case a lightweight fleece or 200g should suffice. 400 is overkill. __________________ Brian My crappy website - members.shaw.ca/nadwidny

May 7th, 2006, 11:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Clare In the past, I've used a very old (and very smelly) 200g DUI undersuit in Mexico. You can borrow it if you like ;-) Bob

May 7th, 2006, 11:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
A-M (Online) Cave addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 370	Hi Claire, We were there a few weeks ago. Light charging with adaptor is ok (If the hotel runs out of power/electricity like we had you can always charge it at the shop). I used a 100gr Bare undersuit which was more than enough for 1-2 hour dives. For longer dives I would probably take my Weezle because of weight and it's easy to dry/wash. No gloves but I did use a cap which made a big difference. Make sure you also bring goed underware to remove the sweat from your body! It's going to be really warm before you enter the water. watertemp: appr 25 degrees. And don't forget the reppelent If you have any more questions, let me know. Enjoy Mexico, you will absolutely love it and be addicted to that area!! Say hallo to Chris and Danny from me. Anne-Marie

May 8th, 2006, 02:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
sasdasdaf(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 375	I was advised to bring my drysuit for my Cave 2 class in Mexico and it turned out to be good advice, at least for me. I used a TLS350 and DUI200G thinsulate and was very comfortable on our dives, up to 2 hours in length. If I wore any less (or dove wet), I know I would have felt cold. Lots of people use 300G polartech too. I guess it depends how easily you get cold but I'd suggest somewhere in the range of 100G-300G thickness. Don't take the 400G or you will roast alive.

May 8th, 2006, 03:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Plenty of people dive wetsuits in Mexico. They all get cold, unless they are doing really short dives. Diving a drysuit means you will "learn" to use the suit in a cave. If you dive wet, you will not have that benefit. It is better to learn in the gear you will use for most of your diving. Also, "redundant buoyancy" is not DIR. There is no such thing. With a balanced rig, you don't need "redundant buoyancy".

May 8th, 2006, 03:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
BigJohn(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 27	I use my dry suit in Mexico and use just long underware and a fleese vest and a hood, you get a little warm before you get into the water but it,s sure feels refreshing when you jump in. Who is teaching the cave 1, Chris or Danny?