Shopper What is the limits of this suit? Winter water temps dip to arround 38 degrees here. Will this suit be able to keep a diver warm enough or even dry in areas so he or she can dive year arround?
BRIAN L I use a 2mm shorty, with my velocity when I know water temps are below 50 degrees. There will be minimal infiltration. I dove it in 36degree water with a 28degree surface temp. I find increased insulation if I pre-saturate the interior with warm water. Biggest advantage, is I use 18lbs of weight with the velocity VS 29lbs of weight with my BARE CD4pro dry suit. Doffing the semi VS dry in cold weather should be factored.
LAURA C I have used the suit in water down to 33 degrees; 20 foot dive in Long Island Sound and multiple wreck dives in the Atlantic, April through November. It's a bit warmer in the Atlantic, 38 to 42 degrees. The double seals at the end of the selves and legs delay seepage - there is also a cape that drapes over your shoulders and an integrated hood. This is not a dry suit. The seepage of water is very slow, like some of my friend's dry suits - just kidding.
Most "Dry-Suiters" were as cold or colder than I was after a 30 to 45 minute dive. It is a lot easier to dive a wet suit than a dry, except for the weight, I used about 16 to 18 Lbs with a 120 steel tank.
It's a great suit!
Scott (Laura is my Wife)
JASON F My husband wears this suit in about 42-48 degree water in the early winter/late fall with hoodie and booties to fix pools. it works well for that, though he still gets cold if in the water over an hour and he is the type that doesn't get cold easily. He would not recommend this suit for 38 degree water. You should probably invest in a dry suit if you want to spend any amount of time in water that cold. He says the seals do work well on this suit to limit water entry into the suit. Hope this helps!
MARIO D I wouldn't dive in a semi-dry suit below 50 degrees in my opinion. I mainly used it with students when I was in the water the entire day and the temps were in the 50 degree range. Regardless of what you wear, you will be cold and having that water on your body at those temperatures for any period of time are a huge stress for your system. I would save your money and invest in a full dry suit. Any questions, let me know.