Would like to get my newly certified daughter a scuba wetsuit for Christmas?
Posted on Sep 12, 2009 under Scuba Wetsuits | 4 CommentsWhat thickness for Okinawa waters? Found 5 mil on clearance 
Mid-teens to low 20’s C is chilly water. A 5 mil may be enough if combined with a hood.
And I agree with the advice to refrain from buying online at least the first time or two. Yes, something like a Hyperstretch is very likely to fit. But different makers’ wet suits fit differently; some makers stuff just fits slim women. Buy her first wet suit from a shop where she can try it on.
is there any difference between a wetsuit for surfing and a wetsuit for scuba diving?
September 13th, 2009 at 2:26 am
females will admit to getting colder more readily than males a 5mm will suffice. I would however suggest making sure that she fits into the suit before getting it because females come in a wider mix of sizes than men and fit and comfort is top priority with the wetsuit.
If she has not stopped growing I would suggest going with a wetsuit with the stretchier neoprene such as hyperflex which is more forgiving with growth and shape changes. See link below.
References :
http://www.visibilityunlimited.com/page/scuba/PROD/Henderson-Ladies-Hyperstretch-3mm-Jumpsuit
Scuba Instructor
September 13th, 2009 at 3:09 am
Its hard to buy wetsuits for others. You must have the person physically with you to get the size. Just asking her the size won’t help because different wetsuits have different sizes.
References :
September 13th, 2009 at 3:34 am
Mid-teens to low 20’s C is chilly water. A 5 mil may be enough if combined with a hood.
And I agree with the advice to refrain from buying online at least the first time or two. Yes, something like a Hyperstretch is very likely to fit. But different makers’ wet suits fit differently; some makers stuff just fits slim women. Buy her first wet suit from a shop where she can try it on.
References :
September 13th, 2009 at 4:05 am
Don’t buy one just because it is on clearance.
A good fitting poor suit will be better than a poor fitting good suit any day. Any slack in the suit will cause cold water to flush in and out while you move underwater. It needs to fit like a glove to be any use.
If you are in cold water have you thought of a Semi-Dry suit? They have better wrist and ankle seals and it makes a big difference.
Avoid a drysuit for someone newly qualified. You need to be comfortable underwater before you try with a dry suit. However once you use one it is the only way to go!! I bought a used Drysuit once when I started. I got it all wrong and the dump valve didn’t work. I passed my buddy like a Polaris missile on the way to the top. I was really luck not to blow my eardrums or worse.
Hope you can get a good one and if she has even half the fun that I have had diving she will be hooked!!
References :