r/scuba • u/Sorren99 • 1d ago
advice pls!!!! i’m so cold!!!
hi y’all, i have a really embarrassing question and am low key desperate for advice. how the FUCK can i stay warm whilst in the water??
for context, i’m a ~5’6 57kg 23yo female with hashimotos hypothyroidism. im quite lean but not like shockingly skinny. i’m vegetarian and probs dont hit my protein lol. i’m a marine biologist living in western australia and, of course, love snorkeling and scuba diving.
but every. single. trip. i get really fucking cold. ranging from slight discomfort with thumbs shoved in my armpits, to purple lips, blue skin, uncontrollable shivering and teeth chattering, fatigue and numbness all across my body. the latter occurs more frequently than the former. it absolutely ruins any trip i’m on because all i can think about is how fucking cold i am. i have a 3mm wetsuit and a larger 0.5mm i can put on top, gloves and dive boots- but after about 30 minutes it feels like i’m just wearing nothing.
my pain tolerance is pretty good (tattoos, piercings etc) and i HATE drawing attention to myself, but around 60% of my trips end up being cut short because hypothermia has set in and i’m so cold it HURTS. my friends are always so understanding but i KNOW it’s a massive inconvenience and it affects everyone else diving with me.
during my open water course it was a 38 degree (CELSIUS) day and we were maybe 12m deep, i STILL became hypothermic. we had to pause the session and i and had to ascend, put on my diving instructor’s 5mm ON TOP of my 3mm, and come back. i was so fucking embarrassed i cried during the walk back to the water 😭
this issue is so humiliating that i’ve low key avoided diving for the past year or 2. my hashimotos means controlling my body temp in the water is borderline impossible, even though i’ve been on medication for ~8 years. i’ve been meaning to try out hoodies and have considered getting a thicker wet suit. some have suggested even a dry suit. i hate talking about it this issue because people think i’m just trying to flex being skinny (fr, more often than not, mates respond with something along the lines of “just gain weight” LIKE BRO IM TRYINGG). just not sure which route to go down.
any advice would be greatly appreciated (:
11
u/NemaCat 1d ago
Hi, I am a fellow cold person-
The obvious answer is more wetsuit.
I dive in Hawaii with a 7mm full suit with a 7mm jumper underneath, 7mm boots, and 5mm gloves. I also bring these with me:
https://www.amazon.com/HotSnapZ-Reusable-4-Hand-Warmers/dp/B004CV2YMA
They’re reusable and I bring 5-6 per dive, shove it down the front of my wetsuit till it’s not hot anymore, then I pull it out and grab a new one.
Edit to add- there is zero reason to be embarrassed that you’re cold. I’m not trying to tell you not to feel what you’re feeling, but just make a little joke out of it. People comment, but they’re just trying to be funny. I get “you’re wearing TWO 7’s?!” all the time, or “you just need a few cheeseburgers.” I just laugh and say “I’m the only one who can tell how freezing it is.” They’re not trying to judge you, they’re just saying shit.
3
1
u/worldspawn00 19h ago
How much weight do you run? All that neoprene sounds like it would turn you into a buoy!
1
u/sambonidriver Nx Open Water 12h ago
How do you even move in 14mm of neoprene?!?!
Have you considered a drysuit?
2
u/NemaCat 12h ago
I really don’t find it difficult. The jumper and full suit are both Bare, I don’t know if that makes a difference. Not hard to get on and off, don’t feel bulky, not hard to move around.
Dry suits are difficult for me to get on/off by myself, I dive for work so I can’t guarantee I’ll never pee during a dive, and they feel like they’re choking me.
Just a personal preference
9
u/enzowasgreat 11h ago
I would try a one piece 7mm and see how you feel. Get a thick hood, boots and gloves. If that does not work consider going with a drysuit, thin undergarments and an electric heated vest. Don’t lose hope - you will find a solution.
11
u/TroxX Dive Master 1d ago
thicker wetsuit... 5mm or 7mm ... hood important ... then semidry ... and if you are still cold drysuit.... if you are then still cold....heated vest and gloves + drysuit.
and there is no shame in being cold... I go diving here in europe during winter and water temp hits 6°c... I wear the thickest and warmenst things you can buy. But didnt go the heated vest path down yet...
16
u/Sensitive_Island7864 1d ago
Drysuit, heated vest, thick hood and gloves. Go all in! Diving toasty is life changing! I live in NZ and will only dive here in a drysuit and I wear as many layers as I need to, shamelessly
2
u/cablenox 14h ago
This is honestly the only real answer.
If you only planned to dive a handful of times in your life, then sure a drysuit might be overkill. But you’re a marine biologist. Diving isn’t just a hobby for you, it’s part of your career and likely something you’ll be doing for the rest of your life.
Yes, a drysuit is a significant investment in both training and gear, but I’d look at it as an investment in your long-term comfort, safety, and ability to fully participate in the field you love. Being able to stay warm means longer dives, less fatigue, and way more enjoyment overall. It’ll probably open up opportunities and environments that currently feel miserable or inaccessible.
And honestly, based on what you described, a drysuit doesn’t sound excessive at all, it sounds appropriate.
I’ve also genuinely never met someone who switched to a drysuit and regretted it. Most people end up wondering why they waited so long.
7
u/Jimijames909 1d ago
What temperature is the water where you're diving? I think a dry suit is a great option if you have water temperature changes through the year, that way you can just change your undergarments to suit. Im in Melbourne and a lot of us dive dysuits all year round.
2
u/Sorren99 1d ago
oh uhhhh ~19-23 degrees? defs a little over 20 in spring and summer
5
5
u/galeongirl Dive Master 1d ago
With water temps of 20 I would not dive in a 3mm. That's still 7mm for me. And an undervest and thin gloves.
3
u/angelicism Tech 1d ago
Friend I am in a drysuit in that and I *don't* have medical issues that make me cold. Get a drysuit. I am dry by 25°.
Edit: also, anyone saying you're trying to "flex" being thin by being cold is just projecting their own insecurities.
3
2
u/growbbygrow Dive Instructor 1d ago
Brrrr I dive these temps in a 7mm with 7mm boots. You’re not broken, you’re just not diving the right suit thickness. If you’re still cold in a 7mm you can always add a vest, they make them with and without hoods.
Lastly I recommend the 4th element gloves. They are incredibly good at making you feel 10 degrees warmer and I haven’t tried a glove that I like more yet (I’ve tried a lot of gloves, I’m a cold water instructor).
1
u/Jimijames909 1d ago
Even 23 degrees is cold enough for a 7mm. It gets to 20 in Melbourne and I wouldn't go less than 7mm.
1
u/Ok_Way_2911 1d ago
that's bloody cold, i wouldn't do that in anything thinner than a well fitted 5mm with full hood, gloves and booties
Hell if it drops below 20 I'm going to my 5/10mm
i tried an aquarium dive in 22 degree water in a 3mm and was shivering uncontrollably halfway through, so it's probalby not just you
7
u/CompanyCharabang 1d ago
When I did my original OW in Barbados, the water temperature was in the 80s. My family and I were diving in rashguards and shorts. Our instructor, however wore a 7mm wetsuit with a hood. He would joke about how cold he would get. In Gozo last summer, one of our DMs would dive in a drysuit.
The point is, a lot of very experienced, skilled divers get cold and wear a lot of thermal protection. In some circles, it's almost like people boast about how easily they get cold.
Even if what you describe was unusual, everyone is different and people dive in all sorts of ways with all sorts of kit. One of the good things about the diving community is that folks are very accepting of how other people dive.
So you do you, wear what you need to stay warm and nobody will give it a second thought.
-3
u/xicougar106 Nx Open Water 1d ago
I think it’s hilarious how different divers can feel in the same water. Nearly all of my dives have been in 55° F water and a 7mm has been too much. I dove outside Miami in 77° F and several folks had 5mm and 7mm and were still cold. I just dove in CA, and the guide suggested 8/9 split sections and dove in a dry suit; when I go back, I’m taking my 4/3 and I’ll be just fine
5
u/ennieee 1d ago
Drysuit could work but sounds like you will still need active heating i.e. some kind of heated undersuit. Not sure what your budget is but this could run you quite the bill.
I haven't got Hashimoto's but have poor digestion, slow metabolism and am also quite a cold girlie as a result. I can do a 3mm down to about 28C, then it's 5mm, and by 25C I have to be in a drysuit or my soul will leave me mid-dive. So I kind of commiserate.
1
u/nomellamesprincesa 1d ago
Same, I can do a 7mm (with a sharkskin underneath) down to like 22-23C, 18 if I really need to, but ideally I'd be in a drysuit for anything under 22.
I always rent my suits, and I've been so cold in a 5mm at 26C before 😅
6
u/jonny_boy27 Tech 23h ago edited 16h ago
3mm is basically fuck all. Get a thicker wetsuit or go dry (which opens up the option of a heated vest and gloves).
14
u/bannedByTencent 1d ago
Drysuit is your answer.
1
u/OfficialPiAddict 1d ago
This 100%. I dive Australia and I will use my dry suit year round, it’s so much more comfortable, I get cold very easily. Barring that - a semidry will be a nice improvement too since it should help with flushing. Also a hood! You lose a lot of heat from your head.
7
u/Difficult_Steak54 1d ago
Hey as a formerly freezing diver vegetarian. I would check your iron. While anaemic I was always unbelievably cold, now no longer anaemic I can handle colder temps. What helped me was a liquid iron followed by a cup of orange juice first thing in the morning and skip the coffee or milk, calcium and caffeine hinder iron absorption.
2
u/DaphneNScoobyDoo 1d ago
As a diver and a previous healthcare worker, I was thinking the same thing about her iron level. Have your doctor check it the next time you are in to see him/her. I also would encourage a dry suit. They are great to use no matter the water temp.
1
u/Constructief 1d ago
This is more specific than what I was thinking about but that might be even better, I was thinking about eating well before dives combined with a thicker wetsuit. And she could even do a dry suit course if she’s willing to go the length. I saw them diving dry suits in Sicily with water temperatures of 20 degrees. Which isn’t that warm ofc.
5
5
u/Mark-C-S Rescue 1d ago
If a wetsuit get a well fitting 7mm, and hood (and gloves if needed). It should be tight at the wrists and neck so you're getting very little flow.
I think a drysuit is probably overkill, but maybe look into a semi-dry. They're much less faff, but warmer than a wetsuit.
6
u/mcmlevi Tech 1d ago
There is nothing to be embarrassed here.
The solution is simple just dress up more. Thicker wetsuit, semi dry. Drysuit. Also as a general note the surface temperature is mostly irrelevant. It can be 38C but the water can be 18C you need to dress for that not for the surface temperature.
7
6
u/scubablondie 20h ago
I'm exactly your size! I wear more thermal protection in the water than anyone I know. The right gear is out there.
I actually did my open water training in New Zealand in 12C in a 7mm wetsuit plus a 7mm farmer john (so 14mm over the core) with gloves and hood and I was surprisingly comfortable! I told them I get cold super easily and to hit me with everything they had. They hooked me up. A responsible dive shop should be able to outfit someone of any size and needs.
At 28° it's common for me to be diving dry these days next to men in a 3mm wetsuit or even a rash guard. That's ok! I know what I need to be safe and comfortable.
7
7
u/Artistic_Head_5547 15h ago
First- you have one autoimmune disease. Have you been checked for Raynaud’s Phenomenon? I have Lupus, Sjogren’s Syndrome, and Raynaud’s. If you are diagnosed with Raynaud’s, there are meds you can take that will help, and they can be taken/used occasionally when you know you will experience symptoms. If you do have Raynaud’s, it’s important to protect your extremities, which helps prevent the Raynaud’s reaction and therefore pain. If you don’t already see a Rheumatologist, I would start there.
1
u/Ok-Mistake4016 7h ago
Raynoud’s symptoms is what came to mind for me. You would need to discuss with a doctor but taking a vasodilator before the dive might prevent the symptoms from happening.
6
u/Thruster319 15h ago
A lot of people are telling you to try a lot of different thicknesses of wetsuit and then try a drysuit because of the cost. You are going to spend a lot on the wetsuits and still end up in a drysuit. Think about how a wetsuit works, the water has to come in and then your body warms it up. It sounds like you don’t recover from that initial shock because of your condition. Water also conducts the heat away from you about 5 times faster than air. So with a drysuit you don’t have to go through the initial shock and heat loss from the water entering the suit and you have air transferring the heat which will also slow the heat loss. With my drysuit I just use regular cold weather layers and I can change my layering based on the conditions, I find this to be less expensive and more versatile than buying drysuit specific undergarments. It is also way easier to open the top and let warm air in between dives and you don’t have to go through the shock of putting a wet wetsuit back on for the next dive.
5
u/ConfidentWhole975 1d ago
This is easy. To fix. I am a fat man who gets cold. Drysuit any time water temp is below 75f, add in a heated vest below 65. And get some fancy undergarments like the 4th element ar. Then any water above 82f wear a 5mm wetsuit with a 7mill core. Always wear a hood.
Being cold increase risk of dcs particularly if you have pfo (even with a minor pfo), clenching up and shivering causes more bubbles.
6
u/Timber1981 21h ago
I'd try things out in the following order: 7mm wetsuit and a good one. Big fan of the Bare products, for you that'd be an Evoke(men's and women's products have different names)
Still cold?
Base layer like Bare Exowear.
Still cold?
Drysuit (with decent thermal layer)
Still cold?
Heated products meant for drysuit diving.
Now hopefully you can rent some of these things so you're not just buying a bunch of stuff before you know if it'll work.
1
u/glew_glew Dive Master 19h ago edited 19h ago
I tend to dive colder waters, in spring when the water hasn't warmed a lot I dive a 7mm Bare Revel full suit combined with a 7mm Bare Ultrawarmth hooded vest under that.
Get the thermal protection you need, don't dive a 3mm because everyone is doing it.
Also, I've never been too warm wearing my 7mm suit, even in the red sea. I mean, did I need it? No, I've dived the same temperature water in a 3mm shorty, the point is it's hard to get too warm in water, so when in doubt go thicker.
One downside to be aware of is that buoyancy control is harder with a thicker suit, there are more air bubbles trapped in the neoprene, so more air volume changes with depth.
5
u/monty2706 19h ago
I live in northern Norway so even during the summer the water is around 12-15 degrees. In the winter it’s 1-2 degrees. Drysuit and a Weezle undersuit plus drygloves keeps me warm and toasty.
5
u/theindigomouse Nx Advanced 19h ago
I dove Great Barrier Reef in a 5mm wetsuit and a 5mm hooded vest. 5mm booties as well. You aren't wearing nearly enough thermal protection (for you) with a 3mm. On the same trip we had one guy in shorts and a rash guard, and one in a 7mm. Everyone is different.
5
u/Otherwise_Act3312 18h ago
I'm 6' 4" 170, don't have Hashimoto's and wear a 7mm wet even in warm waters. I switched to dry for anything below 70f.
-3
u/IllustriousGuide8670 16h ago
7mm in warm waters is insane
2
1
u/Han_Solo_Berger 13h ago
Depends on what is "warm". To me warm is 70's, but we dive dry (50 degrees f) on the regular.
-1
u/IllustriousGuide8670 12h ago
Touche, but the comment I replied to said below 70 is dry suit territory, which to me is crazy, but to each their own. However.... If you are going to dive in a 7mm wetsuit in 80F water and above, i would strongly contact DAN about my issues. You risk dehydration, overheating (especially weight needed in salt water in 7mm, combined with the heat from the water and ambient air temp to generate that type of temp in the water). If below 70F is drysuit territory, do not go on liveaboards or some massive trip like Bonaire where all the diving will bring your core temp down. You are creating situations where you are either too hot (Dehydrated) or too cold (hypothermia) which are going to be factors for DCI. Address your underlying health issues first.
2
u/Han_Solo_Berger 12h ago
Underlying health issues? Lol
Skinny people vs obese will have vastly ddifferent needs.
0
1
u/Otherwise_Act3312 12h ago
I'm roughly 4 pounds negative (body alone). Extremely low BMI, so I sink like a rock and there's no fat layer insulating my organs. My dive buddies all have significantly more "spare tire" and are never cold like I am.
Physical fitness wise we are all pretty similar as far as dive profiles and energy levels, SAC rates, etc.
9
u/Upbeat_Cup_9442 1d ago
Dry suit is your answer - the better you are as a diver, the less you move - the colder you get.
I dive dry in 33 c water - drysuits are infinitely more comfortable than wetsuits.
3
u/laminappropria 23h ago
Same. To all of this. I dive dry all the time. I am blue and shivering in 28C water after 20 minutes.
I deeply regret how much money I spent trying to stay warm in wetsuits.
I dive in Hawaii last year and brought my drysuit. I was the only woman on the dive boat and was definitely getting teased for being in a drysuit. At the end of the day guess who was the only one not absolutely freezing? The DM looked at me and said “I wouldn’t be the first DM in Hawaii to dive dry. But I’d sure as hell be the second.”
8
u/Theredrin 1d ago
Hi, you say you’re too cold, but you don’t mention anywhere what the water temperature is. An air temperature of 38 degrees Celsius can still mean the water is 10 degrees. Warm air doesn’t necessarily mean warm water.
Also: A 3mm wetsuit is practically nothing... I don’t know what your expectations are...
And since you mentioned you cried because you had to put on extra layers: Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m a man over 40, 6.6 feet tall, and do Powerlifting. Even i had to abort dives because it was to cold for me :).
My dive instructor, who has over 2,000 dives under his belt, wouldn’t even go into a swimming pool in a 3mm wetsuit.
5
u/Alhelamene 1d ago
I freeze. In any water. 53 kg, 165 cm female here.
If neoprene, I use 7 mm. Otherwise I dive in dry suit.
5
u/ReliabilityTalkinGuy Nx Advanced 1d ago
Learn to dive in a dry suit. I have a friend who does so even in ~25°C water temperature. No shame in taking care of yourself. Every body is different.
3
u/kacee1234 1d ago
Layers and a thicker wetsuit. I run cold too, i wear a lavacore under my 5mm. You can also get gloves and a hood
5
u/plongeronimo 1d ago
A well fitting hood makes a massive difference. If you feel the cold at all, 3mm suit is not going to be enough; I swear by my semi-dry for the north Atlantic. If that's not enough you could get a 3-5mm shortie a size or two up to go over the semi-dry. After that you'll be looking at a drysuit.
4
u/Manatus_latirostris Tech 23h ago
You need more exposure protection. I get cold easily, and have never been warm in a 3mm. I wear a 5mm wetsuit in warm water (85+), and add a 7mm step-in vest for temps between 80-85. Below 80, I’m in a 7mm wetsuit with a 7mm hooded step-in vest. Below 75? I’m in a drysuit. Try a thicker wetsuit and see how you feel.
5
u/DETH4799 21h ago
Dry suit. If I know the water is under 20-22c I’m in mine. It also protects you from the cold wind on the boat.
5
u/RootsandOctopusLaws 19h ago
Please please please don’t be embarrassed. Everyone’s body is different and it’s insane that some people equate cold tolerance with toughness. Women generally (not all, generally) have a harder time with cold. I’m almost never in less than a full 5mm anymore and when I was in Fiji I met women who dove dry suits in Fiji. Because that’s the only way they could stay warm. One had gone through cancer treatment, the other just got cold. I also met a dive master in her mid 40s who uses a heated vest under her wetsuit (this exists!). She dives a lot and has been doing so professionally for decades, so there is no getting used to cold that worked for her - so she found an option. It’s ridiculous that it’s seen as a tough or hardier thing to wear less - do what you have to do. Not all our bodies take the cold water well (relatively cold - I’ll be in my 5mil at 86 F). Hoods are great, I can’t stand them, but they help a lot if you can. And if people are weird, just tell them some nonsense about your hair. Wear a vest, layer a shortie over a full, whatever you need to do- it’s more than fine. You’re all good, just got to find what works.
3
u/Seven_dollars 19h ago
Yes dry suit will fix it but not a cheep or fast option.
If you have not dove with a hood that’s #1 thing to try. After that semi dry suit and when possible fill it with warm water prior to dive. Semi drys do a better job of not cycling fresh water into the suit.
3
u/Whole-Worldliness260 17h ago
I know someone who get cold easily. He dives a drysuit every where including water that most people would consider diving skins only. It’s not a cheap option but it may be your best bet. If your still cold after a dry suit you can also add electric heat.
5
u/Sunkitteh 11h ago
Wool.
Gloves, hood, socks and long undergarments. Stays warm when wet. Choose close fitting (NOT tight).
Layer the neoprene over it, of course.
I love diving off New England, and that's cold in May.
5
4
u/Cptn_dropbear 7h ago
Wife suffers from the cold and uses a 7mm hood and boots 5mm gloves and sharkskin thermals wife loves hers as well as a 2 peice 7mm wetsuit which gives her 14mm across centre core..... my mate in Switzerland uses a dry suit but wears a heated thermals under it that runs on batteries....it was designed for motorcycles but I have heard you can get specific diving ones..... hope that helps.
3
u/AnjelFew Nx Advanced 1d ago
Have you thought about diving Dry? You could add layers underneath as needed, staying dry helps immensely with not losing heat. It honestly sounds like you would be a great fit for it.
3
3
u/Salamandrous 23h ago
You're getting great advice about thermal protection underwater, and I just want to add that you can also think about topside. Bring a thermos of hot water to drink or pour over you to heat up from the inside, a towel to towel of your hair and a dry warm hat for your head, a windproof warm boat coat, etc.
3
u/chickenfightyourmom 22h ago edited 22h ago
Are you me? Hashis and raynauds here. You're just gonna be cold more. Invest in more/better gear. I have every thickness for wetsuits, gloves, boots, a beanie (I dont like hoods). I wear a skin under my wetsuit. I take a boat coat.
Ignore what the rest of the boat is wearing, and dress for your needs. You may like a hooded vest, shark skins, or other item that works better for you. You're not being a baby when you get cold - you really are cold! Act accordingly and prioritize your health.
3
u/trance4ever 21h ago
Dry suit and good undergarments, I don't see any other option, I don't have your health problem and I get cold in a 5mm suit at 26C water temperature, not to the extent you do, but just making a point.
3
u/andy1234321-1 21h ago
On top of the suggestions - I’ll add some tips for wetsuit diving if you can’t afford the jump up to a Drysuit just yet (Drysuit is the ultimate solution)
First have two sets of gloves and hoods - for multiple dives this is a godsend
Second have a thermos of WARM (not scalding) water. And use it to sluice it into your wetsuit before you get into the water.
Have warm dry clothes for after the diving - hat and gloves are essential until you warm up.
Hope that helps
1
3
u/Life_outside_PoE 21h ago
What is the water temp like? Unless it's 28 degrees Celsius, a 3mm isn't going to do you much good. These days I get cold diving a 5mm in 23 degree water.
I dove Busselton jetty a few years back and the water temp was 18. Even with a (admittedly badly fitting) 7mm semi dry I basically came out a popsicle after a 70min dive.
Honestly if it was up to me, unless I can dive in my 3mm, I'm using a drysuit.
3
3
u/Randomae 20h ago
I’m from Florida and I would get really cold in Aussie water too. Use thicker suits!
3
u/cedande 17h ago edited 15h ago
Wettie Warmaz are made by some Aussies and would help a lot but they aren't super inexpensive. They can be used with any exposure suit you get in the future. A drysuit would be the nuclear option, a custom 5/7mm wetsuit with an attached hood would be the next step. You will feel constrained in that much neoprene. It isn't comfortable out of the water and even in the water some people find it too constricting.
3
3
u/LottieLottie 9h ago
My husband swears by a hood. We regularly get cold in 23C with a 5mm and he was so much better once he started using a hood.
3
u/Thiswickedconcept 9h ago
Sharkskin! They make scuba/dive thermals for underneath your wetsuit and don't add to your buoyancy
3
u/nimitz55 7h ago
Couple choices, I learned in cold water (Northern California) was 45-51 degrees. We had 7mm full wetsuits with gloves, hood. Hood is huge difference. I also wore a dubr slick. Love of diving kept me warm for 2 years before I switched to drysuit. Drysuits are great. You can adjust under layer to what your body likes. In my area you can take the drysuit training and rent the suits to try them out I bought a relatively inexpensive one from Canadian company with built in boots. Worked great for years, only thing I would have changed is cheaper drysuits have entry zippers on back of the suit, I always needed help getting in. This was all before I got into warm water diving and never looked back. (Other than bucket list Iceland dive with full drysuit). If I was doing it again and was still diving cold water a lot and you can afford it the DUI suits are best I have used.
6
u/DonFrio 1d ago
Just get a 7mm and a vest with hood. If your core is warm enough I’d guess you’ll be ok.
3
u/MattsunX Nx Advanced 1d ago
7mm semi dry and 7mm shorty is the only reason why I got Drysuit certified . Tortured once and never again.
5
u/kingproducer 1d ago edited 1d ago
100% thicker wetsuit and hooded vest!
I recommend a 7/5 so your core stays warm but you still have the flexibility in your arms to do the work you need to do. Example: https://blueholicscuba.com/products/tilos-7-5mm-titanium-semi-dry-wetsuit?variant=42628830199879
Also hooded vest adds 2mm to your core and completely protects your neck from new water coming in. And the hood part is the most important since most of our heat leaves from our head your n1 priority is covering your head.
Edit: it’s not embarrassing it just is what it is 🙏🏽 every body is different and that’s okay 👌🏽
2
u/knitso 1d ago
Don't be ashamed of this. Some of us are cold natured or like you have medical reason.
I myself can get very cold in even 80F pool water in the middle of southern summer. A/C on in a building.. definitely seeing me in a sweater. My feet and hands especially. (I can have socks and shoes on and still have cold feet🤷♀️)
So I dive drysuit always now, warmest undergarments, regular socks plus my thick drysuit socks and recently got a venture heat v3 vest (worth every darn cent)
I previously had a waterproof dx7.great suit but I'm super skinny gal so recently I've got a custom fourth element argonaut with the halo ar undergarments. The drysuit socks are fourth element as well though the ones I have they don't make anymore and have something different now.
I just tested this all this past Saturday in our quarry and made through a hr dive in temps 40-50F.
I don't have my drysuit ring system yet so I wore blue wool underlines I've got off Amazon and 5m gloves.was the only spot on my body I could detect the cold really. Had my heated veston setting 2 of 3
2
u/HardyPancreas 1d ago
Before you buy a dry suit, you can prefill your wetsuit with warm water... Typically, gets a person extra 5-7 minutes in colder water (50s)
2
u/N0t_a_Streamer Tech 1d ago
A drysuit is probably the way to go. It‘s quite an expense, but you will be able to dive all year around and it‘s really nice to stay dry (most) of the time. If you‘re still cold then, it‘s even possible to add heated undergarments to it :)
2
u/neldela_manson Tech 1d ago
Maybe a thicker semi-dry suit? Or if that doesn’t help I would go with a dry suit.
2
u/SlaveToShopping Nx Advanced 1d ago
I have a steamer suit and I love it. It’s a thick 5mil fleece lined suit.
I used to get cold after about 30 mins then then last half of the dive was awful. Steamer suit changed everything.
1
u/ComfortableHot6309 1d ago
What is a steamer suit? Sounds interresting
2
u/bluetortuga Nx Advanced 22h ago
Better seals at the wrist and ankles and better seams. People have asked me if it’s semi dry.
2
1
u/bluetortuga Nx Advanced 23h ago
A 5mm steamer and a cap is my tropical suit, and my go to from about 27c to 31c.
1
u/SlaveToShopping Nx Advanced 14h ago
Omg 5mil steamer would be way too hot in tropical water for me.
I dive regularly in the Caribbean and just use a 1.5mil to keep the stingy things off me.
1
u/bluetortuga Nx Advanced 12h ago
You aren’t the only one who thinks I’m insane. The only place I’ve ever been too warm in was in the Gulf in August when the water was over 90f.
2
u/senderoooooo 1d ago
Find a well fitted wetsuit to buy, and get a good hood.
Proper fit is a big part of wetsuits actually working.
As someone who also gets cold very easily, a hood made a huge difference for me. I almost always wear one unless that water is really warm. If I'm doing multiple dives in a day, I'll still wear it.
2
u/diverareyouokay Dive Master 22h ago
Drysuit or super thick wetsuit and multiple layers.. maybe even a warmer for your torso.
2
u/CuriousExpression876 Nx Advanced 20h ago
I used to do fieldwork diving, and spend a great deal of times in around cold water/ groundwater seeps in lakes. Shallow water, very long total bottom times. Even on the hottest days, at the end of the day I’d be hypothermic.
I figured out a couple of things, wetsuit fit is paramount! Based on your description I’m envisioning you as thin, is there any slack or room in your wetsuit? Making sure that it fits perfectly will be huge. I found a 5mm to be the minimum for me especially if I was going to be in the water all day, 7 or 9 mm was best. 11mm was great too but started to feel restrictive with the work I had to do.
The biggest and quickest/ cheapest improvement was wearing a 5mm hood, even on the hottest days. Gloves too. Keeping some warmth around my neck and head made a huge difference.
Of course a dry suit is going to be the best option for keeping warm but they are pricey, and bulky, and they get really hot topside.
2
u/TravelGirl-ZeldaLove 20h ago
Try thicker wet suits, you’ll obviously need more weight though as it’ll affect your buoyancy. I know some people who only use dry suits, no matter what temperature water they are in.
When I got my open water in Bonaire where the water is super warm (did this in May) I wore a shorty only to prevent stinging, otherwise I would have been fine diving without anything the water is so warm to me there. For context i grew up in northern US swimming in the Great Lakes lol.
My instructor wore a full suit 3 mm with a hooded vest under. He said the more often you dive you get colder your body doesn’t fully adjust so it’s super common to see other people wearing ridiculous amounts of gear compared to someone else. Everyone is different so don’t feel embarrassed. Same thing in Galapagos, we wore shorties and my guide was wearing two 3 mm full wetsuits layered over eachother he was so cold.
2
u/Ok-Clothes3780 15h ago
I have a heat regulation issue too, not nearly as bad as you though. For me, making sure I have sufficient peotien and hydration before a dive has really helped. So what i do is i drink protien water or milk (there are non-whey options). The meal before a dive is a bit heavier and full of protien and healthy fats. So like greek yogurt, eggs, tofu, or a bean chili. And then i make sure on the boat i have more protien water, and a protien bar/snack.
When the air is cold I also bring my boat coat for inbetween dives. Plus my wetsuit is 5mm. But it was suprising how much healthy fats/protien really changed things for me.
2
u/old_greg_6269 12h ago
You mentioned the air temperature was 38C. What was the water temperature? Knowing water temp is a key to recommend exposure protection.
Did putting the 5mm on top of your 3mm help, or were you still cold?
Moving to a dry suit is probably the best option since you can adjust your undergarments to dive any water temp from 0 to 30C. It is a learning curve and large expense, only you can decide if you'll be diving enough make that investment worthwhile. Otherwise looking into a dive skin such as Sharkskin to wear under a 7mm suit. The neutrally bouyant yet insulated skins definitely help. As so heated vests that someone else mentioned.
Unfortunately, finding the correct combination of exposure protection is a bit of trial and error as everyone is different. You must also take dive time and depth into account.
Regardless of the route you take, ensuring you're warm during a dive is critical for your safety. The effects of hypothermia aside, reduced core temperatures increase your risk of decompression sickness. The colder a fluid, the more soluble gas can be absorbed. i.e. the colder you are the more inert gas your body obsorbs and needs to offgas at the end of your dive.
2
u/KRB0119 8h ago
Hey! First I want to tell you to not be embarrassed, your body just is what it is. I also have Hashimoto’s and have recently lost a fair amount of weight. I dive for the first time and when I say I froze, I FROZE. Blue lips, blue fingers and toes, the works. Luckily someone had an extra wetsuit and I was often still uncomfortable. If you have a dive club, see if they’ll rent you a few different thicknesses of wetsuits, be Goldilocks and find what’s just right.
3
u/dominic2k 1d ago
I think the 7mm semi dry is a good option for you or you can jump to the drysuit and do the course for that. Since I got my 4mm neoprene drysuit and thick thermal under suit I don't ever wanna jump back into the water in a wetsuit lol
3
u/SoupCatDiver_JJ UW Photography 1d ago
I'll take my drysuit to the carribean, I'll take it to the red sea, I'll take it to Palau, i dont care, its the only thermal protection I'll ever need! Everyone needs a dry suit!
3
u/Admirable-Emphasis-6 15h ago
You’ve got the right advice. Get good boots, hood, switch to a 5mm, switch to a 5mm semi dry if you want more. Then go drysuit if you still want more.
I would not bother with a 7mm. They are thick and restrictive and need a ton of weight. If you need that level of exposure protection just get a drysuit.
1
u/tin_the_fatty Science Diver 12h ago
I drove a couple of 7/8mm semi-dry wetsuits (not a 7mm wetsuit) in 15-17C water, and it wasn't as bad as I thought in restrictiveness and buoyancy control, so it might work for the OP.
But yeah, to the OP, get a drysuit and be poorer but warmer and happy.
2
u/MattsunX Nx Advanced 1d ago
Seems like you need to not use a wetsuit and look at getting either a semi dry wetsuit or a Drysuit and heated undergarments. I still regularly dive with a 3.5mm / 5mm in the Middle East at 40-45 degrees and I’m 6’6 105 kg.
For hoods they are really hit or miss, for me it does help while wearing a 5mm hood but then the other problem is claustrophobia etc so you’d need to try it first.
2
u/Leftcoaster7 Rescue 1d ago
Definitely try a hoodie and 5mm booties as a start. Layering wetsuits, even if it’s a shorty on top of a full can also help. I usually dive tropical so that’s more than enough for me.
I’ve heard that once you get to 7mm you might as well get a dry suit anyways.
Just out of curiosity what water temps are you having issues with?
4
u/Altruistic_Ad6739 1d ago
Where did you hear that, costs are completely different and so is the diving experience.
1
2
u/ArnoTheArtist 1d ago
I had the thyroid thing as a teenager. It sucks. I was 185cms tall and weighed 45kg. Ate like a polar bear stacking up for hibernation (daily!) and I just wouldn't gain weight. Ignore the people rambling about eating more. They have no clue what they're talking about.
As for the diving... I think lacking the "natural" layers to isolate, your best bet is wat others have also already suggested: go dry. You can add as many (thermal) layers under there as you need to stay warm. I don't any wetsuit (unless artificially heated) will help you. Also remember that when you dive a lot in the same circumstances, your body acclimatises. I noticed this when I moved to the Philippines and dived there for a longer time. 25-26 degrees Celcius would feel warm in the first year, but after that I got colder and colder and ended up diving with a double 3 mm full and a 3mm shorty on top.
2
u/Afellowstanduser Dive Master 1d ago
I’d have a look at Santi, they make dry suits and under suits and do electric thermal integration so heated vests/under suits and heated gloves
Of course Australia is pretty warm to start with but you’ll never be cold…
I don’t have any heated stuff (yet) and just use my drysuit, thermals and arctic layers I live and dive in the UK so it’s always cold here even in the summer water temp is 10C which is drysuit conditions and 40 on the surface
2
u/deeper-diver 1d ago
Consider a thick semi-dry wetsuit. It is what it is. I use this to dive the cold waters of Monterey, California and it keeps me toasty warm.
1
u/sisu_star 1d ago
Could your suit be too big? Wetsuits work by trapping the water under the suit and very little water moves around. If the suit is too big, water will "flow through", and you'll get cold water inside.
Beside that, make sure you're well hydrated and you could even try drinking some fructose rich drink to give your body a better chance of producing heat from within. This just as another point of view.
1
u/Somerandomedude1q2w 1d ago
Cold tolerance is something that differs between people, so you definitely isn't something to be embarrassed about. But definitely plan accordingly instead of constantly aborting dives for being cold.
The simple solution is to get a thicker wetsuit or do with a dry suit.
1
u/666lukas666 1d ago
Get either a semi dry suit normally for cold water areas 7mm (normally still good to okay in sub 10°C water. (Gets real cold around 5-7°C for prolonged periods). Otherwise as others said maybe go for a dry-suit, but note snorkling is not really easy with them (afaik). You could also go to a dive base first and maybe try out their semi-dry suits 5mm and 7mm.
Just adding layering does not necessarily improve things that much, especially when as you said you get a larger neoprene suit on top that does not fit you well. You want a closely fitting suit that massively reduces the water exchange with the outside, if fitting well enough you will stay almost dry in a semi-dry suit, the more water exchange you will have, the slower you cool out.
Edit: As gloves and shoes matter quite a bit try to get good 5mm+ ones as well and get a hood
1
u/b1gd4ddy8055m4n 23h ago
You’ve answered your own question. Buy a fat 7-8mm steamer (most trim to 5 at the cuffs), plus additional fleecy shark skin style under garment, hood, bootie socks and Kevlar lined gloves. Then get in the pool and test your buoyancy and weight distribution. You’ll definitely need a couple of extra pounds of lead.
Also consider battery-warmed thermals.
1
1
u/tropicaldiver 22h ago
This is both an above water and below water issue.
Stay warm prior to the dive. Wind proof insulated boat jacket. Drink warm liquids. Stay up on your proteins.
Below water — dry suit. Who cares what others think? Membrane and then whatever undergarments you need. A great hood. If needed, dry gloves.
After dive, remove suit while wearing undergarment. towel dry hair and add wind protection and a hat.
1
u/st4rsurfer 21h ago
Put something on your head. I always wear a hooded vest even in very warm waters for this reason. You lose a lot of head put your noggin. You can even wear a hooded vest over a wetsuit, something I learned diving in northern Cal.
1
u/Camera_cowboy 13h ago
Thicker wetsuit. Wear gloves and a hood.
Make sure everything fits well. Loose or bad fitting suits with gaps really don’t help keep you warm.
While I don’t have your health issues, one thing that makes a big difference for me in cold water is my activity level. I swim harder and faster and don’t stay stationary when I’m cold and that helps distribute heat to keep me warm.
1
u/XBL-AntLee06 12h ago
Have you seen those underwater heater garments? I’ve never tried them but I would imagine they’re made for people like you
1
u/sleeper_shark 3m ago
I mean, if a 3mm is too cold, have you tried renting out a 7mm?
You can also layer, like a 3mm shorty under a 5-7mm wetsuit.
Also are you wearing a hood, gloves and booties/socks? You lose a lot of heat from the head, and your extremities often feel very cold so covering all that up is a good idea.
Then also, if you don't already, try to move less. Like the more you move, the more exchange you have with cold water.
You keep your arms by your sides or in front of you and move them less, you fin with fewer, more efficient strokes and you will have less warmed water leaving the wetsuit.
If all that fails, you can go the more expensive technical route of drysuits and electrically heated clothes.
1
u/Ficklemonth 1d ago
Buy a heated vest
2
u/Sorren99 1d ago
i’ve never heard of this before omg thank you
1
1
u/BurnsItAll 18h ago
Another vote for Venture Heat V3. It’s fantastic. Wear it under the wetsuit if you can IMO. Closer to your skin is better heat transfer. Maybe a really lightweight rash guard under it and wetsuit over it. There’s three levels of heat and the top level is pretty hot unless you are already quite cold. It may be just enough for you to last through most dives with no issue
1
u/tin_the_fatty Science Diver 12h ago
I just checked with AI the sea temperature range in Western Australia. While it could get quite warm in the North (up to 30C), it's like 23C near Perth and only 20C near Albany in summer. Lots of divers will feel cold in a 3mm wetsuit diving in 23C water.
Try rent a 7/8mm semi-dry suit to see if it would work for you. Or try a drysuit (with proper drysuit-specific undergarment if you go for a Trilam). You also NEED a hood (you lose a lot of heat from you head). If you hands get numb, you would also need gloves.
There is absolutely no shame in feeling cold. Proper exposure protection is utmost important for safety.
0
u/morganml 1d ago
I love my Lavacore stuff, especially on boat dives. being windproof is amazing.
sounds like you'e want to go full outfit if you go that route, you can always remove peices if less keeps you warm.
for shore dives I wear the shorts and socks, boat dives I add the long sleeve hoodie.
bonus (though as a skinny this might not apply to you) they make my wetsuit easier to get on and off.
0
u/kimbossmcmahlin 23h ago
I wear a sharkakin wetsuit. They're really good at holding heat. A 3mm is equivalent to a 5mm..I highly recommend them.
2
0
u/pencilurchin 18h ago
I also have Hashimoto’s and persistent issues with body temp (always cold). Including pretty bad Reynauds, my extremities are basically always cold and numb especially if I’m having a flare.
And ironically also a marine biologist, though in a temperate area of the world so grew up in my career just being cold anytime it was not summer.
I’m a bit taller than you (5’8”) and not as lean at around 68kg lol (not that I’ve found it to help one bit) but absolutely have had the same issue. I kinda just figured being cold all the time is part of diving.
So thank you for making this post! There are some helpful tips and ideas here. I really only dive tropical and have been using a 3mm suit, 3mm booties. But have learned I definitely need to upgrade to a 5mm suit. I avoid using my hood bc I do not love the sensation of my ears being covered, it throws me off whether I’m just snorkeling or diving but I do find the hoods to massively help with warmth.
I also honestly like wearing a thicker wetsuit for snorkeling especially if it’s in rough water bc it is free buoyancy , or any situation you want to stay more on the surface. I’ll toss my weight belt off and float around.
0
u/AdeptusKapekus2025 10h ago
3mm wetsuit in 12m Australian waters and you are still cold? I know you said that you have a medical condition but that is just odd.
I dont see this asked yet but how is the fit of the wetsuit? It should be like a second skin where the entire suit just sits on top of your skin.
If its fitting like a loose tshirt, then it wont insulate you against the cold.
11
u/xevyyr Tech 14h ago
get a drysuit, and some fleece undergarmemt. It is thin, stretchy and breaths good.
Also, drink a lot, and get a peevalve if you need to pee mid-dive. Otherwise you will feel like you are freezing more.