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#1
October 19th, 2007
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My goal is to be able to freedive year round up here in Alaska. I saw this wetsuit heater in a local dive shop:
Hotsuits heated wetsuits, the world's first heated wetsuit I'm thinking that this product combined with hand warmers in my dry gloves just might allow me to comfortably freedive in February. Has anyone used one? 
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#2
October 19th, 2007
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What kind of temperatures are we talking about?
At least for me the biggest problem in winter diving is not the suit it self. With a good fitting 7mm open cell suit (elios), I can spend about 1 hour very comfortably diving in icy conditions, provided that the gloves and socks are suited for the purpose (at least 5mm, good fit, 3 fingered gloves...) The problem is dressing and undressing on the ice. It's very uncomfortable even in the spring when the temperatures are close to zero, but in the winter it would be downright dangerous in extreme cold and wind. But if you can do that inside, I think just a normal, well fitting thick wetsuit should be good enough for almost any conditions. But by all means do try that out and tell us how it worked out
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Simo K
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#3
October 19th, 2007
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Looks like a reusable version of the heat packs Eric Fattah uses... must be good.
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Regards, Davie
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#5
October 19th, 2007
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Quote:
FWIW, Anchorage area divers are very fortunate in that a warming shack has recently been built in Smitty's Cove at Whittier. It is a godsend. The SCUBA divers, instead of shivering in their cars between dives, can now sit in the shack and gas off. It also works great for freedivers getting in and out of their suits. There's bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies. You're right, jome, about the 7 mil suits keeping you warm. But I think this wetsuit heater's greatest benefits are psychological. I mean, c'mon. To open up your car door and step out into zero degree weather with a wind chill factor of minus 20 F, knowing that you're going to walk into water that will give you an instant ice-cream headache, well, anything that can take the edge off would make it that much easier to decide to open the door.  Here's what a surfer said about the Hotsuits: The extra warmth had a soothing, loosening effect which I think will be welcome by any cold-water surfer suffering from lower back, kidney or any other abdominal pain or stiffness. So it’s thermal and therapeutic and could really help get you out there on those freezing days when the waves are good but the body’s trying to chicken out. http://www.surferspath.com/stuff-we-like/hotsuits-heated-kidney-belt1
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Re: Hotsuits?
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#6
October 20th, 2007
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"DeeperBlue.net Regional Advisor".
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#7
October 21st, 2007
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Quote:
as far as i know the heat packs he uses ARE re-usable, as i ordered a few myself. it appears to me that main difference here is the strap/pouch provided. the ones i have are from Thermo-Pad Instant Heating Pad Home Page video of one being activated - http://thermo-pad.com/video.mov keep in mind, the starting temperature of the pad makes a big difference in the amount of heat generated. transporting them to the dive site emersed in hot water increases the length of time they stay warm. another attribute is the consistent 54 degree celcius heat, as compared with disposable heat pads, which can sometimes spike to higher temperatures. cheers, sean vancouver, canada Last edited by harbour seal; October 21st, 2007 at 04:59.
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#8
October 21st, 2007
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I see... I thought these reusable packs were a new thing.
Thinking about it, it seems like You might as well just slip the packs down Your suit cos its not like they can go anywhere.
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Regards, Davie
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