Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving

Drmike · 21st February 2006, 02:04

Hi guys,

Rebreather diving in the UK in April. According to my research I can expect 7-10 deg C water temps. What do you guys wear for decent duration Rebreather dives?

My drysuit was made sometime in the 1800's but it is dry. Its a neoprene with attached neoprene (wet) hood and boots.

I have a thinsulate 400.

Am I going to be cold?

Do I need anything additional?

What do you guys do for gloves? Wet/Dry? I have a pair of drygloves (with liners) I havent tried them out yet but there is a loss of dexterity. They are the type with latex seals that I presume go over the top of the extended latex wrist seals?

Are drygloves the way to go in April or do you use wet?

What about socks? Ive seen the thinsulate sock things - are they needed or can I get away with just a thick pair of normal socks?

Will my attached neoprene hood be enough - or is there a better way? Do people 'double up' on their hoods?

Any other cold water advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
Mike

nskdrs · 21st February 2006, 05:11

morning sir!

-your thinsulate really should be in good condition
-priceworthy alternative: weezle-extreme plus
-two layers of warm synthetic underwear, helly hansen or odlo f.e.
-argon, extensive pre-dive flushes, IMHO a key point
-neoprene for gloves and hoods shood be in good condition
-I prefer semidry gloves, f.e. camaro superflex 5mm, but also use
-dry gloves, not oversized, latex seal rolls over armseals, use thin 2mm neoprene armwristbands for equalizing
-socks are one ore two pairs of thick skiing socks plus weezle extreme socks
-two ( IMHO a key point ) f.e. first hood is medium size, outer hood is BARE XL zipperhood, also should provide good seal for FFM, old compressed hoods suck

IMHO good for two hours, I use trilam-suit,
heating for longer dives ( I avoid longer dives

)

additionals:
- warm/hot carbohydrate breakfast ( f.e.pasta ), low fat
- hot selfmade chickenbroth with ginger, also inbetween dives
- break for hot lunch if possible

in summary, my personal key points are:
- good, hot food during the day, enough sleep
- argon flushes predive ( extra bottle ),
- reduced suitgas-exchanges during dive
- double hoods, mint condition neoprene
- Rebreather

enjoy!

Gibbon · 21st February 2006, 06:58

Mike,

Weezle Extreme Plus is on the list next time I dive in UK - apparently there is a plus plus - maybe I will save that for going up to Norway though...

Enjoy the course.

Jon

UKSteve · 21st February 2006, 07:17

A lot of of the key stuff is covered above. However, doesn;t matter how cold it is you can work up a sweat getting kitted up - particularly if you do have a good undersuiit. Essential therefore to have a good thin base layer that wicks moisture away to keep you dry otherwise you will feel the cold quickly if wet against your skin.

Fourth Element xerotherm and EDZ base layer work well....along with a host of others. Their sock are also great under conventional ski socks - keeps feet warm and dry.

The Xerotherm Arctic is an even warmer option if the undersuit is not at good as it used to be.

Weezels - you either love them or hate them..some people find they are too fluffy and retain a lot of air on ascent...tricky if your bouyancy is right on the edge and carrying minimum lead. Conventional thinsulate suits..200 gram.. are a viable alternative. There is an article on these suits in March edition of Dive magazine.

Have had mixed success with dry gloves - great if they work but have had crushed hand when the equalisation didnt work and flooded suit when seals didnt work! Been using the 5mm "Waterproof" semi-dry gloves from Sweden this winter and love them.

Use same hood the year round..came with my Otter Suit...has bare neoprene around the face to prevent flushing. Never felt cold around my head.

If your suit has latex neck seal, wearing a scarf or small towel around your neck can cut down heat loss there.

Where will you be diving? Stoney Cove can be a lot colder than that!!

Steve

Andrew-John · 21st February 2006, 07:25

Hi Mike

Just for reference:

We just made a 90 minutes 1,5 km long dive partly under ice in Southern Finland using trilam suit, dry pressure equalized gloves, argon and thinsulate 400 undersuit. Water temperature was exactly 0 degrees celsius all the way. I'm 65 and did not suffer from the condition at all.

The most important reason for convenient dive was that we were moving with strong kicks without interruptions. Work load is very important factor too.

Andrew-John

***schford*** · 21st February 2006, 07:40

I dive with an O Three 2.1 mm Dry Suit, with that I mix and match my forth Element undersuits, summer the standard one, spring / autumn would be the artic - deepest winter both!

I also usually wear nice warm socks underneath by forth element socks. In terms of gloves - 3mmish in Summer and thick mitts in winter ;-)

Stuart

***EBT*** · 21st February 2006, 07:44

Mike, 3mm semi dry, no hood, no gloves. That'll teach you for living in singapore

***Beanie*** · 21st February 2006, 08:04

Where are yopu diving?
The sea should be 10+

Your suit undersuit and hood should be fine.
No need for dry gloves 3mm ones should be fine.

Saying that if your a bit of a warm water diver

you might need more

Drmike · 21st February 2006, 08:15

Quote: (Originally Posted by Beanie)

.

Saying that if your a bit of a warm water diver

you might need more

lets put it this way, 3 hours in 26degC and Im shivering in a 7mm, +1mm wetsuit and hood

DonalWalsh · 21st February 2006, 08:30

depends quite a bit where you'll be diving- I find a biiiig difference from Scotland to the South Coast in April

21st February 2006, 02:04	#1 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,128	Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving Hi guys, Rebreather diving in the UK in April. According to my research I can expect 7-10 deg C water temps. What do you guys wear for decent duration Rebreather dives? My drysuit was made sometime in the 1800's but it is dry. Its a neoprene with attached neoprene (wet) hood and boots. I have a thinsulate 400. Am I going to be cold? Do I need anything additional? What do you guys do for gloves? Wet/Dry? I have a pair of drygloves (with liners) I havent tried them out yet but there is a loss of dexterity. They are the type with latex seals that I presume go over the top of the extended latex wrist seals? Are drygloves the way to go in April or do you use wet? What about socks? Ive seen the thinsulate sock things - are they needed or can I get away with just a thick pair of normal socks? Will my attached neoprene hood be enough - or is there a better way? Do people 'double up' on their hoods? Any other cold water advice would be appreciated. Cheers Mike __________________ Get a girlfriend you sad twat - a Rebreather is an unfaithful mistress - dont blind yourself to her faults just because she goes down on you
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21st February 2006, 05:11	#2 (permalink)
nskdrs New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Not Bought Yet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: germany Posts: 79	Re: Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving morning sir! -your thinsulate really should be in good condition -priceworthy alternative: weezle-extreme plus -two layers of warm synthetic underwear, helly hansen or odlo f.e. -argon, extensive pre-dive flushes, IMHO a key point -neoprene for gloves and hoods shood be in good condition -I prefer semidry gloves, f.e. camaro superflex 5mm, but also use -dry gloves, not oversized, latex seal rolls over armseals, use thin 2mm neoprene armwristbands for equalizing -socks are one ore two pairs of thick skiing socks plus weezle extreme socks -two ( IMHO a key point ) f.e. first hood is medium size, outer hood is BARE XL zipperhood, also should provide good seal for FFM, old compressed hoods suck IMHO good for two hours, I use trilam-suit, heating for longer dives ( I avoid longer dives ) additionals: - warm/hot carbohydrate breakfast ( f.e.pasta ), low fat - hot selfmade chickenbroth with ginger, also inbetween dives - break for hot lunch if possible in summary, my personal key points are: - good, hot food during the day, enough sleep - argon flushes predive ( extra bottle ), - reduced suitgas-exchanges during dive - double hoods, mint condition neoprene - Rebreather enjoy! Last edited by nskdrs : 21st February 2006 at 05:17.
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21st February 2006, 06:58	#3 (permalink)
Gibbon Southern Monkey Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Devon Posts: 226	Re: Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving Mike, Weezle Extreme Plus is on the list next time I dive in UK - apparently there is a plus plus - maybe I will save that for going up to Norway though... Enjoy the course. Jon
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21st February 2006, 07:17	#4 (permalink)
UKSteve Still a novice... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Weymouth, UK Posts: 557	Re: Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving A lot of of the key stuff is covered above. However, doesn;t matter how cold it is you can work up a sweat getting kitted up - particularly if you do have a good undersuiit. Essential therefore to have a good thin base layer that wicks moisture away to keep you dry otherwise you will feel the cold quickly if wet against your skin. Fourth Element xerotherm and EDZ base layer work well....along with a host of others. Their sock are also great under conventional ski socks - keeps feet warm and dry. The Xerotherm Arctic is an even warmer option if the undersuit is not at good as it used to be. Weezels - you either love them or hate them..some people find they are too fluffy and retain a lot of air on ascent...tricky if your bouyancy is right on the edge and carrying minimum lead. Conventional thinsulate suits..200 gram.. are a viable alternative. There is an article on these suits in March edition of Dive magazine. Have had mixed success with dry gloves - great if they work but have had crushed hand when the equalisation didnt work and flooded suit when seals didnt work! Been using the 5mm "Waterproof" semi-dry gloves from Sweden this winter and love them. Use same hood the year round..came with my Otter Suit...has bare neoprene around the face to prevent flushing. Never felt cold around my head. If your suit has latex neck seal, wearing a scarf or small towel around your neck can cut down heat loss there. Where will you be diving? Stoney Cove can be a lot colder than that!! Steve Last edited by UKSteve : 21st February 2006 at 07:49.
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21st February 2006, 07:25	#5 (permalink)
Andrew-John New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Helsinki Posts: 26	Re: Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving Hi Mike Just for reference: We just made a 90 minutes 1,5 km long dive partly under ice in Southern Finland using trilam suit, dry pressure equalized gloves, argon and thinsulate 400 undersuit. Water temperature was exactly 0 degrees celsius all the way. I'm 65 and did not suffer from the condition at all. The most important reason for convenient dive was that we were moving with strong kicks without interruptions. Work load is very important factor too. Andrew-John __________________ The Truth is down There!
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21st February 2006, 07:40	#6 (permalink)
*schford* Despotic Overlord Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,662	Re: Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving I dive with an O Three 2.1 mm Dry Suit, with that I mix and match my forth Element undersuits, summer the standard one, spring / autumn would be the artic - deepest winter both! I also usually wear nice warm socks underneath by forth element socks. In terms of gloves - 3mmish in Summer and thick mitts in winter ;-) Stuart __________________ Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had. Use of Rebreather World is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use
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21st February 2006, 07:44	#7 (permalink)
*EBT* Apprentice Luddite Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK, Brighton Posts: 1,855	Re: Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving Mike, 3mm semi dry, no hood, no gloves. That'll teach you for living in singapore __________________ Eagles May Soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines! Rebreather World Terms of service Real diving t-shirts for real divers
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21st February 2006, 08:04	#8 (permalink)
*Beanie* Politeness officer Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,159	Re: Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving Where are yopu diving? The sea should be 10+ Your suit undersuit and hood should be fine. No need for dry gloves 3mm ones should be fine. Saying that if your a bit of a warm water diver you might need more __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk www.divelife.co.uk
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21st February 2006, 08:15	#9 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,128	Re: Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving Quote: (Originally Posted by Beanie) . Saying that if your a bit of a warm water diver you might need more lets put it this way, 3 hours in 26degC and Im shivering in a 7mm, +1mm wetsuit and hood __________________ Get a girlfriend you sad twat - a Rebreather is an unfaithful mistress - dont blind yourself to her faults just because she goes down on you
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21st February 2006, 08:30	#10 (permalink)
DonalWalsh Third Class Snorkeller Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Moving to London in Sept.....which way to the South Coast?? Posts: 136	Re: Cold water (7-10 deg C) UK Rebreather diving depends quite a bit where you'll be diving- I find a biiiig difference from Scotland to the South Coast in April
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