wetsuit diving in winter....

[AandA]

I dive a 7mm semi dry, with a 3/2, and a one mil under that.  I wear two pair of neoprene socks under my 7mm booties.  I also wear a pair of three finger mitts over my 7mm gloves.  All of this neoprene requires a bit more weight.  I'm currently using 26 pounds.  I also wear a full face mask so that my face does not get cold.  I'm really not a fan of my face hurting at first from the cold  and then going numb : :.  I'm quite comfortable, without preheating my suits for 30+ minutes.  If I preheat the suits ( I keep them in a cooler with HOT water) that buys me another 15 minutes.  I am NOT a fan of being cold!  When I start to chill I get out of the water right away.  As a matter of fact I plan my dives so that I get out BEFORE I start to feel at all chilled. 

The advantages to diving wet in cold water are quite few.  The primary advantage is initial cost.  One actual advantage is I never have to worry about a leaky seal and getting wet,  as I'm wet already.  It actually surprises me that I am not infrequently warmer than other divers who are diving dry (but are less experienced or have equipment problems or both).

Dry is quite simply the eventual answer.

We're heading down to Cozumel in April, and really looking forward to it.  When are you going??  Bring us back some DIVE reports and Photos 8) 8).