Suit to wear in South China Sea

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imortal - 30 Mar 2005 13:25 GMT

If anyone has ever been to dive the Prince of Wales or Repulse (or anywhere
near that part of the South China Sea) then I would be grateful to know what
type of suit you found necessary.

Specifically, anyone know if a 3mm with long arms and legs with no hood or
gloves going to be OK for 75m 3 hour deco stop diving?

Any one who has been and knows?

From what I read the temperature is 28C (surface?) and therefore this should
be quite adequate.

Thanks
Matt.

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Keith S. - 30 Mar 2005 13:38 GMT

> If anyone has ever been to dive the Prince of Wales or Repulse (or anywhere
> near that part of the South China Sea) then I would be grateful to know what
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Any one who has been and knows?

You could try mailing John Thornton - he did a writeup of a trip
there in an old issue of 9>90. I'll have a look when I'm home.

- Keith

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Cliff Coggin - 30 Mar 2005 14:00 GMT

> If anyone has ever been to dive the Prince of Wales or Repulse (or anywhere
> near that part of the South China Sea) then I would be grateful to know what
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> From what I read the temperature is 28C (surface?) and therefore this should
> be quite adequate.

I used a two piece, full length, 3 mm wet suit when in the Philippines. It
was ideal for dives of less than an hour in 28? water, though I suspect it
would not be enough for the length of time you intend.

Cliff.

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imortal - 30 Mar 2005 17:04 GMT

> I used a two piece, full length, 3 mm wet suit when in the Philippines. It
> was ideal for dives of less than an hour in 28? water, though I suspect it
> would not be enough for the length of time you intend.

I also used a 3mm in the Philippines around 4 years ago. I have one with
long arms and short legs. The bottom (65m) was around 25C - which I found
to be the limit for this suit (you could feel the chill). At 20m or less
the temperature was nearer 27C and was perfect for this suit.

I have used the same suit in the Seychelles (20m max) where the temperature
was nearer 33C surface and 28C @ 20m.

I have a 3mm with long arms and legs which I am considering taking for this
trip.

Thanks for your comments so far.

Cheers
Matt.

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Tony Johnson - 30 Mar 2005 15:16 GMT

The temerature drops a bit at depth - 25C rather than 30ish at the
surface but as most of your time will be near the surface you will be
fine. I have not found a hood necessary but gloves are a good idea as
you can find stinging hydroids on lines and trapezes that have been in
the water a while. They don't need to insulate - last time I was out
there, I found a pair of washing up gloves perfectly adequate.

Tony

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