On using a wetsuit for the first time

[luzula]

I tried it out in my apartment first:

1) Wow, this thing is tight. Too tight?

2) Hey, it kind of looks like a superhero suit! *makes poses*

3) I'm really sweating in here, this is probably not meant to be worn in room temperature.

And then when I get into the lake:

4) Eeek, the cold water slipping in!

5) Oh hey, it makes me float. Weird. And actually it makes it a bit hard to swim when my legs float up like that.

6) It's comfortable and warm, though! And not actually too tight, though it bunches up a bit at my knees in a slightly uncomfortable way when I bend my legs.

7) Oh, what a funny feeling when the water drains downwards and ends up pooling in my socks when I get up. And hey, the water is body-temperature, when I take the socks off.

I bought the wetsuit rather spontaneously, so that I could snorkel around in the sea with it and see new stuff for my See All the Wild Species Project. I will try that next week and report back! Also I would like to learn better swimming techniques so that I can actually swim well in it.

Comments

[isis]

If you are intending to actually free dive (that is, go below the surface and swim around while holding your breath, then return to the surface, clear your snorkel, breathe, and descend again) you will need to get a weight belt to counteract the buoyancy of the wetsuit. In salt water you add about 8% of your bodyweight to the belt - I don't know about fresh, maybe you need less. If you just want to swim around on the surface with your face in the water, that's not needed.

Do you have swim fins? Those will help a lot (in either case).

[luzula]

I have a friend who snorkels a lot, so yes, she's already told me that I will need a weight belt. And she'll come with me out the first time, too.

No, I don't have swim fins. I don't think I'll be going any long distances while snorkeling, so maybe I won't need them?

[isis]

It's not so much for swimming long distances (I mean, they're helpful for that too) but for conserving energy diving below the surface. It's easier to descend with a few kicks when you have fins on, and you can stay under for longer if you use less energy since you only have the oxygen in a single breath. You can also adjust your positioning and hold your depth easier because it will take smaller leg movements to do so.

[luzula]

Ah, I see what you mean! That makes sense.

[blnchflr]

Wetsuits are great - but a bitch to put on, and wear on land in the sun, and when cold water suddenly flows in - but fuuunnn!

[luzula]

Have you used them a lot?

I am dogsitting at my parents' place this weekend, and today I plan to swim over to the other side of the lake to look for an interesting water plant which is supposed to grow there.

[blnchflr]

No: one time for snorkling (cf. Tenerife post), and for kayaking. So maybe 15 times total.

[jesse_the_k]

I have the photo for this post:


I wear a one-piece wet suit w long sleeved upper half and shorts ending mid thigh. I'm crouched like a threatening monster, making faces and flinging hands forward. Behind me the cabin's many windows show a still lake at sunset surrounded by evergreens.

Best part is my pal the cabin owner got the wetsuit at a thrift sale for ridiculously low money. Worst part is the loose bits would chafe a lot. In this cold lake, I'd take a hot shower first to create a close, warm layer for my first entry.

Flippers are great, and they're counterintuitive. I commend you to practice without the scuba learning too.

[luzula]

Ha, so your wetsuit inspires you to make monster poses, rather than superhero poses. : )

So that's the cabin you go to stay at? It looks lovely, especially with those windows opening on the lake!

I did try crawling after looking at some youtube instructions, since that's supposed to be easier in a wetsuit than breaststrokes (since a wetsuit makes you float). But water got up my nose. I might get one those things that you clasp onto your nose, and try again.

[ride-4ever.livejournal.com]

Interesting! Another adventure for you who are adventurous like an adventurous thing.

[luzula]

It does feel a bit like exploring a new world, like, I got equipment to climb into the trees, and now I get to look beneath the surface of the water. Maybe I'll try out actual diving at some point, but for now snorkling is adventurous enough.