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Scuba Forum / General / January 2008Wetsuit for an invalid ?
An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks advice. For exercise he leaves his house and walks outside to and from his heated pool. For the cold weather he would like advice on what kind of jacket or wetsuit top he could buy or have custom adjusted so that it would be easy for him to get into and out of. [For example, zippers not only in the front of the chest, but also up each arm.] He would don the jacket in his house, swim with it on, and remove it only when he had reentered the warmth of his house. Thank you for your help.  SignaturePat > An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks > advice. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Thank you for your help. Sounds like a custom suit. In order for wet suits to work there has to be just a tiny bit of water allowed in, none or as little as possible, let out. How warm is his heated pool? > > An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks > > advice. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > How warm is his heated pool? The pool is kept at 88 degrees Farenheit SignaturePat >>>An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks >>>advice. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > The pool is kept at 88 degrees Farenheit I don't think he wants a wetsuit. They are difficult to put on and take off, they make swimming more difficult, and they are much colder than the ambient air (because of the evaporation) when you come out of the water. esg > The pool is kept at 88 degrees Farenheit Then he needs a t-shirt and a pair of swim trunks. > For the cold weather he would like advice on what kind of jacket or > wetsuit top he could buy or have custom adjusted so that it would be easy > for him to get into and out of. [For example, zippers not only in the > front of the chest, but also up each arm.] He's probably looking for a custom one since very few wetsuit manufacturers make them with zippers on the arms anymore... Other than that, a Farmer John style top will work or even the old beaver-tail tops if he doesn't want any sort of leg associated with it... The thicker wetsuits are more likely to need the zippers on the arms though... How cold is the water that he's going to be in? SignatureSee NNTP header field "X-Real-Email-Address" to reply by email. In article <pan.2008.01.16.01.53.17.313000@grumman581-usenet-2008- spambob-net>, grumman581-usenet-2008@spambob.net says... > > For the cold weather he would like advice on what kind of jacket or > > wetsuit top he could buy or have custom adjusted so that it would be easy [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > wetsuits are more likely to need the zippers on the arms though... How > cold is the water that he's going to be in? The pool is kept at 88 degrees Farenheit SignaturePat > The pool is kept at 88 degrees Farenheit It's unlikely that he is going to need much (if any) of a wetsuit at that warm of a temperature... It will be difficult to find a thin wetsuit that also has zippers on the arms, so he will need to go for a custom one or perhaps just get someone to add zippers to one off the rack... Depending upon how mobility limited the individual is, one of the thin hyper stretch wetsuits might work for him without the addition of the zippers... SignatureSee NNTP header field "X-Real-Email-Address" to reply by email. >> The pool is kept at 88 degrees Farenheit > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > upon how mobility limited the individual is, one of the thin hyper stretch > wetsuits might work for him without the addition of the zippers... How about just a sleeveless cheater? Without a hood? Basically, it's a tight fitting shirt, that provides some insulation around the core, but leaves his arms totally free. In 88 degree water, most people would overheat. But an elderly man may not have the heat generating ability to perform like most younger, healthy folks.... thereby needing extra help. I think a 3 mil cheater would be stretchy enough for him to get on and off and actually not mind doing it every day. Steve > How about just a sleeveless cheater? Without a hood? Basically, it's a > tight fitting shirt, that provides some insulation around the core, but [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > I think a 3 mil cheater would be stretchy enough for him to get on and off > and actually not mind doing it every day. Steve It's going to depend upon whether the warmth is needed for in the pool or on the way to and from the pool... I think that adding a zipper front to a sleeveless 'cheater' would make it pretty easy for him to put it on (or for whomever is assisting him)... Of course, it's also going to depend upon how cold the ambient air is on the way to and from the pool... Perhaps the OP should try it himself and determine what feels comfortable before using it on the invalid? SignatureSee NNTP header field "X-Real-Email-Address" to reply by email. In article <pan.2008.01.16.03.59.20.500000@grumman581-usenet-2008- spambob-net>, grumman581-usenet-2008@spambob.net says... > > How about just a sleeveless cheater? Without a hood? Basically, it's a > > tight fitting shirt, that provides some insulation around the core, but [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Perhaps the OP should try it himself and determine what feels comfortable > before using it on the invalid? The warmth is needed in getting to and from the pool. The pool itself is toasty warm SignaturePat > The warmth is needed in getting to and from the pool. The pool itself is > toasty warm Perhaps a wetsuit is not what is needed then... If the water is already very warm, wearing a wetsuit might be a bit uncomfortable... When you say "invalid", are you meaning someone who muscle condition is poor and as such is confined to a wheelchair and requires someone else to more them around? Or is it even worse and the person is a paraplegic and cannot even stand aided? How cold is the area that the person needs to move through between their quarters and the pool? SignatureSee NNTP header field "X-Real-Email-Address" to reply by email. > In article <pan.2008.01.16.03.59.20.500000@grumman581-usenet-2008- > spambob-net>, grumman581-usenet-2008@spambob.net says... > > > The warmth is needed in getting to and from the pool. > The pool itself is toasty warm What's wrong with his regular jacket? If he doesn't want to wear a regular jacket then maybe he should take a look at a Chamyz. > An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks > advice. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Thank you for your help. Sounds more like he would benefit from a Triathlon wetsuit. It is a lot more like a full bodysuit instead of a jacket, but come in skin out so it will shed water afterwards so that he won't get a chill walking back home. Most I have seen come with a back zip, but front zip and arm zips would be no problem for a competent suit builder. Of course, it is going to cost a few bucks. Good hunting! SignatureRay Contreras =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Webmonkey for: http://www.ossystems.com http://www.bobs-garage.com http://www.coltri-usa.com http://www.rayzplace.com > An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks > advice. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Thank you for your help. He does not need a wetsuit. What he needs is a good thick bathrobe to walk from the pool to his house. Adam > He does not need a wetsuit. What he needs is a good thick bathrobe to walk > from the pool to his house. Depending upon their definition of "invalid", walking from the pool to the house might not be possible... Is the pool in an enclosed (i.e. warm) area? How far from the pool to the house? SignatureSee NNTP header field "X-Real-Email-Address" to reply by email. > > He does not need a wetsuit. What he needs is a > > good thick bathrobe to walk from the pool to his house. This was my initial thoughts as well. > Depending upon their definition of "invalid", walking from the pool to the > house might not be possible... I'd supect that if he was that bad off, it would be next to impossible to get him in & out of a wetsuit without a couple of people helping him, regardless of how many zippers it has. If he has that much help around, they can carry him down to the pool in a Sedan Chair: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:RobertAdamDesignofaSedanChairforQueenCharlott e1775.jpg > Is the pool in an enclosed (i.e. warm) area? How far from the pool to the > house? One would hope that an 88F heated pool has some sort of bubble over it to reduce heat loss if its that cold outside, but I'm guessing that the situation that Pat is describing is an outdoor pool that's exposed to (relatively moderate) temperate elements. As such, the basic complaint is that the elderly swimmer gets cold in transit between the house to the pool, particularly on his way back when wet, starting as he steps out of the pool and is exposed to the elements. Its relatively expensive to enclose the entire pool, although one of the self-erecting inflatable types probably wouldn't be too bad: http://www.websweeper.com/php/pool_domes/do-001.php (using their calculator, looks like around $300 for a 20' x 50') My take is that all that's being effectively asked for is some way to make the existing pool have "indoor/outdoor" access. As such, a new "indoor" is needed at the pool, even if this is merely an unheated 'windbreak' and/or some other form of temporary, seasonal room where one doesn't really get exposed to the outside elements (especially wind, probably) - - its just for disrobing and for a quick towel-off before throwing on the thick terry cloth bathrobe before returning to the house via the outside path. I'd be tempted to buy one of the reasonably priced assemble-it- yourself Greenhouse Kits, such as: http://growersupply.com/si6x8gr.html http://www.greenhouses.com/eurostyle.html From there, I'd set up a support beam across a part of the pool so as to allow me to cantilever ~3ft of the greenhouse over the pool, probably right at a pool ladder. Now, the swimmer's water entry/exit is through the "floor" of the greenhouse and his entry/exit is protected from the outside elements so he can towel-off & bathrobe in relative comfort. The swimmer will need to duck his head to swim under the wall of the greenhouse (and its cantilevered support system out over the water) to access the main part of the pool. I don't even think that the room will need to be heated, as the greenhouse will receive solar gain, plus it will be warmed by the warm poolwater below the overhanging third...warm air rises. Granted, these sorts of little greenhouses are in the $700-$1000 price range plus installation, but we do have to recognize that a custom wetsuit is probably going to run at least $200-$300 anyway. Of course if it were my father, he would steal a couple of 2x10's from somewhere to build the cantilever, use some 1x3's and ferring strips to built a frame, which would then be sided with a roll of clear heavy plastic, a staple gun and duct tape...total cost $10. He would then tie it down with a couple of ropes and tent stakes to keep the little cockelshell from blowing away :-) -hh > (using their calculator, looks like around $300 for a 20' x 50') Typo alert: $3,000! -hh > An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks > advice. > For exercise he leaves his house and walks outside to and from his > heated pool. For the cold weather he would like advice on what kind of [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > only when he had reentered the warmth of his house. > Thank you for your help. I don't think I've ever seen a wetsuit that is easy to get in and out of. Their nature is to be snug and that creates some difficulty. One that ends at the waist, with short sleeves and a diagonal zipper probably comes closest. Since his pool is heated, perhaps a wetsuit is not the best tool for the job. There are several after dive jackets on the market that are designed to be warm, wind proof, absorbent and impervious to damage from getting wet. Most have hoods, a plus if it's really cold out. Here's a bit of information on one of them. ----------------------------------------------- The last time ScubaLab reviewed dive parkas, the Divegear Boat Coat was one of our favorites, earning a Testers' Choice rating for its combination of comfort and features. Now the company has updated the classic après-dive garment with a laundry list of improvements inside and out. One of the most noticeable differences between the old and the new Boat Coat is the nylon outer shell. The new version is softer, but still sheds water and shields you from wind, which is job one for any dive parka. Improved Velcro straps at the wrist, shock cords in the hood and a wind flap behind the zipper now make it easier to bundle up when conditions are less than ideal. Cold hands will find refuge in exterior pockets that are now lined on both sides with fleece-a nice touch-and close with Velcro. Inside, there's a higher grade of fleece lining and they added a cell phone pocket complete with its own Velcro closure. But the best part may be what didn't change: the price. Available in five sizes (small to XXL) and two colors (black or royal blue), the Boat Coat is still $150. Contact: www.divegearusa.com. Lee >> An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks >> advice. [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > Lee I think you've got the idea here. You can start with an off the rack jacket or hoodie made for boating, then have a tailor put in zippers or Velcro where needed. Based on everything I've read in this thread, a wetsuit is the worst of all your choices. Since his pool is heated, perhaps a wetsuit is not the best tool for the > job. There are several after dive jackets on the market that are designed to be > warm, wind proof, absorbent and impervious to damage from getting wet. Most have [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > in five sizes (small to XXL) and two colors (black or royal blue), the Boat Coat is > still $150. Contact: www.divegearusa.com. I just use a thick cotton bathrobe. It dries me like a towel, is easy to machine wash after diving, and is much more economic. You can even get one with a hood. Adam > An elderly friend, who has no interest in scuba or snorkeling, seeks > advice. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > -- > Pat This is odd. You call him an "invalid" in the title of the post here. But then you state that he can walk from his house to his pool. You further state that he can swim. ("He would don the jacket in his house, swim with it on." ) He's not an invalid in my book. He's probably a cranky old rich fart who is whining the whole time he outside, "I'm coooold". My advice is this : 1. Since he seems to want to go from the pool to the house in warmth, have an enclosed walkway built. This can be a walkway with a sturdy hard plastic frame around it or an enclosure like a greenhouse frame. Have a heater inside that blows in hot air in the winter to warm his walk from the pool to the house. Then the whole enclosure can be taken down in the summer. 2. Buy him a big fuzzy cotton robe and slippers to wear from the pool to the house. Have them warmed in the dryer before he puts wears them. 3. Ignore him and hope he dies soon, especially if you are a relative who is in his will. This is odd. You call him an "invalid" in the title of the post here. But then you state that he can walk from his house to his pool. You further state that he can swim. ("He would don the jacket in his house, swim with it on." ) He's not an invalid in my book. He's probably a cranky old rich fart who is whining the whole time he outside, "I'm coooold". My advice is this : What makes you think he's a Democrat? SignatureDoes anybody here really think that taking away the guns will stop killing? Or knives, or icepicks, or chains, or ropes, or baseball bats, or poisons, or cars & trucks. People are gonna kill people, and they'll always think of a new weapon if you take away the old ones. And just because I carry a potential weapon doesn't mean I intend to commit murder, or that I may be tempted to commit murder. I often carry a big ugly knife. Lots of my friends do too. I have never heard of anyone being tempted to use the knife on anyone just because they have it with them. You gotta be in the mood to do the killing and you use what's at hand. -Jeff Cooper Popeye/ www.finalprotectivefire.com http://picasaweb.google.com/Popeye8762 > This is odd. You call him an "invalid" in the title of the post > here. But then you state that he can walk from his house to his > pool. You further state that he can swim. ("He would don the jacket > in his house, swim with it on." ) He's not an invalid in my book. > He's probably a cranky old rich fart who is whining the whole time he > outside, "I'm coooold". My advice is this : It's hard to know what she means because she does not respond to our comments. But sometimes disabled people use such verbs in a symbolic way. For example blind people still use the word "see" referring to themselves, and a paraplegic may use the term "walk" to mean get around in a wheelchair. Adam On Jan 22, 11:16 pm, "Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick" <Pop...@finalprotectivefire.com> wrote: > <hierophantf...@hotmail.com> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Popeye/www.finalprotectivefire.com > http://picasaweb.google.com/Popeye8762 Because he has money. On Jan 27, 2:17 am, hierophantf...@hotmail.com wrote: > On Jan 22, 11:16 pm, "Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick" > [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > Because he has money. If ya wanna live like a Republican, vote Democrat. :) gc > On Jan 27, 2:17 am, hierophantf...@hotmail.com wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > If ya wanna live like a Republican, vote Democrat. :) You betcha ! :-)
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