Dressing for immersion, Oregon style

If you guys want to try a surfing wetsuit (built with extra flex in the shoulders) before you buy, you can rent them at any of the surf-shops on the coast for about $20 per day. 

Good idea.  One can also rent full wetsuits at the dive shops.  It's been a long time since I rented one but I'm thinking it's less than $10.

If you guys want to try a surfing wetsuit (built with extra flex in the shoulders) before you buy, you can rent them at any of the surf-shops on the coast for about $20 per day. 

Relief valves extra $$$

I'm still curious about the statement I made about armpit exposure.  Here's something I found on the web.

The three major heat loss areas are the inner thighs (near the femoral artery), under the arms (near brachial artery) and the head and neck. The latter two together account for less than 40% of heat loss as the head is proportionately higher because of the myriad of blood vessels it contains to keep the brain cool.

A farmer john only covers 1 of the 3 major areas.  Your head an neck would most likely not be continuously submerged after dumping.  But your arm pits are still exposed in the case of a water entry.

This is somewhat consistent with what I've experienced wearing a drysuit.  A fleece vest is definitely a lot cooler than wearing a fully sleeved fleece top.  Armpits exposed!!!

Perhaps wear a spring suit (short sleeves and short legs) for immersion protection with paddle jacket and pants over it  (or waders?) for temp control above the water?   Or something like that.  A layer of polypro (full legs or full arms) may offer a level between that and full wetsuit legs and/or arms.  Having less insulated arms and legs may help in preventing overheating while above water, while having wetsuit protected inner thighs and armpits may still maintain a good level of protection if you enter the water.  Please note that I have not tried this and am not specifically endorsing it.  Your mileage may vary.  Perhaps try it out in controlled conditions and let us know how it works for you?

-Allen

Good idea.  One can also rent full wetsuits at the dive shops.  It's been a long time since I rented one but I'm thinking it's less than $10.

How's the flexibility in dive suits?  Surf suits are made to facilitate windmilling your arms for hours with minimal added fatigue.

Relief valves extra $$$

It's a wetsuit....  If you're so inclined, you can just pee and rinse.  Not something I like doing.  I'm just saying.

It's a wetsuit....  If you're so inclined, you can just pee and rinse.  Not something I like doing.  I'm just saying.

One of the reasons I do NOT like rentals ...

-Allen

I sent my wetsuit to Otter Bay in Monterey.
 Put a relief zipper in for about $15. total, I think the shipping was about the same.
 Great sewing job and well worth the $$ to not pee in my suit

One last plug for the neoprene waders/drytop. 

dry.

Dry is nice. I wear nitrile gloves not so much for keeping off the man-scent, but to keep my hands dry and they "seem" to stay warmer. When they do get cold, I'll slip on my neoprene gloves or even some knit garden gloves and take them off to wring them out or tie a knot.
To extend that to the body, I fish most of the time straddling my boat (skinny boat) or side saddle. I'm a bit more reluctant to put my feet/legs in when they'd get wet.

Again, I'm certainly not saying don't use a wet suit, just trying to point out some plusses and minuses I've found.

I just talked to Eugene Skin Divers Supply, and they install relief zippers in wetsuits. The only thing I don't like about wearing the wetsuit in the yak, is having to hold it until I can reach shore. I never even thought about a relief zipper until it was discussed in this thread. Thanks for helping me solve this problem!

I just talked to Eugene Skin Divers Supply, and they install relief zippers in wetsuits. The only thing I don't like about wearing the wetsuit in the yak, is having to hold it until I can reach shore. I never even thought about a relief zipper until it was discussed in this thread. Thanks for helping me solve this problem!

it may take some practice succesfully eliminating ones self and staying pristine. Unless you are very well endowed ......pee in the foot wells or "lay over" the side. Some carry a gatorade bottle for deposits. the best money I spent on the wetsuit is that zipper!

What do you figure they would charge to sew and glue in a relief zipper in my waders?  Seems it would be the best of both worlds.

What do you figure they would charge to sew and glue in a relief zipper in my waders?  Seems it would be the best of both worlds.

That's a really good idea and I like it better than the relief valve (much less and simpler equipment). I'm thinking it might be a bit spendy though as wet suit zippers don't have to be dry. Wader zippers would and waterproof zippers are expensive. Adding a relief zipper to a drysuit will eat a C-note or two easily.  Still VERY much worth looking into!

Any of you guys know a good semstress. or have a wife that sews. then all it would cost is the cost of the zipper and glue.

Marilyn

If I acquired the proper waterproof zipper, maybe scavenge one off an old dry top, then my wife could sew it for me.  That is a good idea.  I just have trouble balancing when standing in my kayak. Ha Ha Ha
-Scott

scott.

glad i could help.. I am a sewer. I do more quilting and other clothing. i am going to see what happens when you adapt a say sweat suit or a Lounge pant pattern with fleece and maybe some ripstop fabric to make something waterproof and not expensive to wear

Marilyn

i am going to see what happens when you adapt a say sweat suit or a Lounge pant pattern with fleece and maybe some ripstop fabric to make something waterproof and not expensive to wear
Marilyn

Excellent idea! Here's the link  I mentioned in the pm.

http://blackdogkayaks.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1194940316/0#0

http://www.blackdogkayaks.com/drytop.html

This guy is a new hero!