New drysuit and undersuit

Tintin · July 9th, 2007, 02:02 PM

Hi guys,

My ridiculously rubbish and ancient neoprene drysuit has finally given up the ghost for good. Can you guys give me some recommendations for a new drysuit and undersuit.

I'm looking for a membrane suit which will last me through my future GUE training and UK wreck wriggling. But Im a recent graduate so DUI really is out of the range at the moment

As for undersuit options Im looking for something that will keep me warm for 60 minute UK dives yet will not hinder my shut down drills. On this board I have read a lot about Santi undersuits, for those of you who have had them at least a year how are they holding up? Are there any other options?

Sam

GLOC · July 9th, 2007, 02:40 PM

If you are in the market for a budget membrane drysuit, do a search on here for 'Protec', 'Seaskin' and 'Polar Bears' and you should find plenty of advice. You are looking in the region of £600-800 for a MTM with pretty much everything you will need for that price.

Regards

***Bob Cooper*** · July 9th, 2007, 02:42 PM

Some lucky dog just won a Medium TLS-350 on ebay for £240.

They do come up from time-to-time, you just need to keep looking...

I have a Santi undersuit but haven't used it enought to form a proper opinion. One thing is for sure, the DUI 400g is just a joke now. I've been hanging on to my old ones for years so I don't have to use one of the new cut ones.

Tintin · July 11th, 2007, 01:29 PM

Thanks,

One of the problems of not being in the UK for the last 9 months is that I really feel behind the times with whats happening with different manufacturers. So thanks to people who have told me that Protec is still up and running to its previous standards with the new owners.

With regards to undersuits, what is a good weight? Is a 400 gram suit neccesary, or am I going to freeze to death in a 200. So far I have just been making do with about 15 layers under my neoprene suit - hot, bulky and made me look very silly.

**neilh** · July 11th, 2007, 01:44 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Tintin)

With regards to undersuits, what is a good weight? Is a 400 gram suit neccesary, or am I going to freeze to death in a 200.

Depends entirely on you unfortunately. One of my buddies is fine down to chilly temps in a 100g Robin Hood job whereas I really feel the cold so I've just got a 400g.

If you can try some out then you can work out what's best for you. Otherwise I guess starting with a 200g would at least allow you to add a base layer if it's not quite enough.

maccajim · July 11th, 2007, 03:47 PM

Hi
i dive in sydney water temp can get to 14-13c and u feel cold in a 200g with a dui tls, if i was u i would get a 400g undergarment i would rather be hot then cold, u can take your hood off if too hot. I have a 400g as well and plan to start using it soon as it's getting cold here for me.

Sterny · July 13th, 2007, 05:28 PM

Just out of curiosity, has anyone here been too hot during a dive, ever? What were you wearing and what was the water temperature? Any other factors (exertion, heated undersuit)?

I'm wondering if the reason not to choose the warmest possible undersuit all the time has more to do with convenience/travelling light, overheating on the surface pre/post dive, and not wanting to deal with more suit gas than you really need to. Even dived fairly tight with not much gas in it, I guess a 400g undersuit traps a bit more gas than something thinner, and takes a little bit more effort to vent during ascents.

Other than all those things, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as being too hot on a dive?

***Bob Cooper*** · July 13th, 2007, 05:34 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny)

Just out of curiosity, has anyone here been too hot during a dive, ever? What were you wearing and what was the water temperature? Any other factors (exertion, heated undersuit)?

I'm wondering if the reason not to choose the warmest possible undersuit all the time has more to do with convenience/travelling light, overheating on the surface pre/post dive, and not wanting to deal with more suit gas than you really need to. Even dived fairly tight with not much gas in it, I guess a 400g undersuit traps a bit more gas than something thinner, and takes a little bit more effort to vent during ascents.

Other than all those things, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as being too hot on a dive?

The problem is not being too hot on the dive, it's getting too hot before the dive and then getting cold on the dive.

If you are mega hot when kitting up you will sweat. That sweat will make you damp and then you will get cold on the dive.

The trick is to avoid sweating as much as possible before the dive, then you will be nice and warm on those looooong dives!

Bob

*JohnKendall* · July 13th, 2007, 05:40 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny)

Just out of curiosity, has anyone here been too hot during a dive, ever? What were you wearing and what was the water temperature? Any other factors (exertion, heated undersuit)?

I'm wondering if the reason not to choose the warmest possible undersuit all the time has more to do with convenience/travelling light, overheating on the surface pre/post dive, and not wanting to deal with more suit gas than you really need to. Even dived fairly tight with not much gas in it, I guess a 400g undersuit traps a bit more gas than something thinner, and takes a little bit more effort to vent during ascents.

Other than all those things, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as being too hot on a dive?

I have been too hot on a dive. 400gr undersuit going into the Devil's eye at Ginnie in october. Didn't have a hood on, nor gloves, but was working against the flow.

HTH

John

Sterny · July 13th, 2007, 06:00 PM

Cool - thanks guys, and sorry for hijacking the thread.

July 9th, 2007, 02:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tintin(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 4	New drysuit and undersuit Hi guys, My ridiculously rubbish and ancient neoprene drysuit has finally given up the ghost for good. Can you guys give me some recommendations for a new drysuit and undersuit. I'm looking for a membrane suit which will last me through my future GUE training and UK wreck wriggling. But Im a recent graduate so DUI really is out of the range at the moment As for undersuit options Im looking for something that will keep me warm for 60 minute UK dives yet will not hinder my shut down drills. On this board I have read a lot about Santi undersuits, for those of you who have had them at least a year how are they holding up? Are there any other options? Sam

July 9th, 2007, 02:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,953	If you are in the market for a budget membrane drysuit, do a search on here for 'Protec', 'Seaskin' and 'Polar Bears' and you should find plenty of advice. You are looking in the region of £600-800 for a MTM with pretty much everything you will need for that price. Regards __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar If you don't have the time to do something right, where are you going to find the time to fix it? - Stephen King

July 9th, 2007, 02:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Some lucky dog just won a Medium TLS-350 on ebay for £240. They do come up from time-to-time, you just need to keep looking... I have a Santi undersuit but haven't used it enought to form a proper opinion. One thing is for sure, the DUI 400g is just a joke now. I've been hanging on to my old ones for years so I don't have to use one of the new cut ones. Last edited by Bob Cooper; July 9th, 2007 at 02:44 PM.

July 11th, 2007, 03:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
maccajim(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 97	400g Hi i dive in sydney water temp can get to 14-13c and u feel cold in a 200g with a dui tls, if i was u i would get a 400g undergarment i would rather be hot then cold, u can take your hood off if too hot. I have a 400g as well and plan to start using it soon as it's getting cold here for me.

July 13th, 2007, 05:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sterny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The limpid tropical lagoons of Ealing, West London Posts: 550	Just out of curiosity, has anyone here been too hot during a dive, ever? What were you wearing and what was the water temperature? Any other factors (exertion, heated undersuit)? I'm wondering if the reason not to choose the warmest possible undersuit all the time has more to do with convenience/travelling light, overheating on the surface pre/post dive, and not wanting to deal with more suit gas than you really need to. Even dived fairly tight with not much gas in it, I guess a 400g undersuit traps a bit more gas than something thinner, and takes a little bit more effort to vent during ascents. Other than all those things, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as being too hot on a dive? __________________ "I thought I had a great idea today, but it never really took off. In fact, it didn't even get on the runway. I guess you could say it exploded in the hangar." - Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

July 11th, 2007, 01:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tintin(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 4	Thanks, One of the problems of not being in the UK for the last 9 months is that I really feel behind the times with whats happening with different manufacturers. So thanks to people who have told me that Protec is still up and running to its previous standards with the new owners. With regards to undersuits, what is a good weight? Is a 400 gram suit neccesary, or am I going to freeze to death in a 200. So far I have just been making do with about 15 layers under my neoprene suit - hot, bulky and made me look very silly.

July 11th, 2007, 01:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
neilh(Offline) Haemoglobin on the bus... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 1,900	Quote: (Originally Posted by Tintin) With regards to undersuits, what is a good weight? Is a 400 gram suit neccesary, or am I going to freeze to death in a 200. Depends entirely on you unfortunately. One of my buddies is fine down to chilly temps in a 100g Robin Hood job whereas I really feel the cold so I've just got a 400g. If you can try some out then you can work out what's best for you. Otherwise I guess starting with a 200g would at least allow you to add a base layer if it's not quite enough.

July 13th, 2007, 05:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny) Just out of curiosity, has anyone here been too hot during a dive, ever? What were you wearing and what was the water temperature? Any other factors (exertion, heated undersuit)? I'm wondering if the reason not to choose the warmest possible undersuit all the time has more to do with convenience/travelling light, overheating on the surface pre/post dive, and not wanting to deal with more suit gas than you really need to. Even dived fairly tight with not much gas in it, I guess a 400g undersuit traps a bit more gas than something thinner, and takes a little bit more effort to vent during ascents. Other than all those things, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as being too hot on a dive? The problem is not being too hot on the dive, it's getting too hot before the dive and then getting cold on the dive. If you are mega hot when kitting up you will sweat. That sweat will make you damp and then you will get cold on the dive. The trick is to avoid sweating as much as possible before the dive, then you will be nice and warm on those looooong dives! Bob

July 13th, 2007, 05:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,097	Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny) Just out of curiosity, has anyone here been too hot during a dive, ever? What were you wearing and what was the water temperature? Any other factors (exertion, heated undersuit)? I'm wondering if the reason not to choose the warmest possible undersuit all the time has more to do with convenience/travelling light, overheating on the surface pre/post dive, and not wanting to deal with more suit gas than you really need to. Even dived fairly tight with not much gas in it, I guess a 400g undersuit traps a bit more gas than something thinner, and takes a little bit more effort to vent during ascents. Other than all those things, I'm interested to know if there's such a thing as being too hot on a dive? I have been too hot on a dive. 400gr undersuit going into the Devil's eye at Ginnie in october. Didn't have a hood on, nor gloves, but was working against the flow. HTH John __________________ John Kendall http://www.guetraining.com/ GUE Instruction, Santi and Halcyon Equipment NEW - Online Santi Shop

July 13th, 2007, 06:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sterny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The limpid tropical lagoons of Ealing, West London Posts: 550	Cool - thanks guys, and sorry for hijacking the thread. __________________ "I thought I had a great idea today, but it never really took off. In fact, it didn't even get on the runway. I guess you could say it exploded in the hangar." - Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes