Should you wear a wetsuit when cold water swimming?
F to 65°f (15°c to 18°c): a wetsuit is advisable, and many swimmers will opt for a thicker wetsuit or a full suit for better insulation. Below 60°f (15°c): a wetsuit is essential for most swimmers to prevent hypothermia, and thicker suits (5mm or more) may be needed. Buy a swimming specific wetsuit with the more continuous motion of swimming, all over thickness of the wetsuit for warmth is not required. Instead, a thinner suit with carefully positioned panels allow more flexibility in areas such as the arms and legs and thicker panels for warmth on the and buoyancy.Whatever you use your wetsuit for, the most important thing to get right is the fit. Your wetsuit should feel snug and tight all over. If there’s excess material in places like the neck and cuffs, it will let water in and negate all its insulating properties. Don’t be too taken aback by the tightness of a wetsuit.It should fit like a second skin, tightly wrapped around your body. After all, a wetsuit only works when the fit is right. On the other hand, you don’t want it to be too restrictive or tight, and want to avoid excess material in areas like your armpits, lower back and behind your knees.Unfortunately, a wetsuit that is too thick does have a few downsides. It doesn’t allow you to lose excess heat and can make you feel too hot. Additionally, the thick neoprene fabric on the arms and legs can limit your range of movement, which is not what you want when surfing, swimming, windsurfing or kitesurfing.
Do thicker wetsuits keep you warmer?
Neoprene, the material used in making wetsuits, contains many tiny air bubbles and provides the insulation against the colder water outside the suit. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer you will be. Wetsuits are suitable for water temperatures ranging from around 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the thickness of the neoprene. Drysuits are typically worn in colder water temperatures, from around 35 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.Recommended Budget for a Wetsuit The prices of decent fullsuits start at $100 for warm water surfing and over $300 for cold water surfing. But if you have extra money, spend it on suits that range from $200 to $350.Ultimately, what you wear under your wetsuit is your choice. Whether you choose swim shorts, a swimsuit, a bikini, a rash vest, or nothing at all, the goal is optimum comfort, ease of movement and total confidence when in the water. If you’re unsure, try out some options before settling on what suits you best.A wetsuit works by letting water in between the neoprene and your skin, which your body then warms up. However, this can still cause cold water shock, especially for first-time wetsuit swimmers. To prepare mentally, ease into the water slowly, splash water around your wrist and neck, and breathe deeply.
How long can you stay in cold water with a wetsuit?
Human Endurance in Cold Water with vs. F (0-4 °C):Time Limit: 30–60 minutesRisks: Wetsuits provide significant insulation, but prolonged exposure still risks hypothermia. High-quality thick wetsuits (7 mm or more) or drysuits with thermal undergarments are recommended. The body of the wetsuit will be slightly thicker than the arms and legs, this is to account for movement and because you need the most insulation around your core. In the winter look for wetsuits with 4 or 5mm on their sleeves and in the summer you’ll be comfortable with 2mm of sleeve thickness.A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men.Here’s how to achieve the ideal wetsuit fit: Snug but Not Restrictive: The wetsuit should fit snugly around your body without restricting your breathing or movement. If you feel constricted or unable to bend comfortably, the wetsuit might be too small.So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently. Also wearing anything under an already tight-fitting wetsuit will reduce flexibility, so if you want the maximum range of movement in your wetsuit, it’s probably best to wear nothing under it.If temperatures drop below 10°C to around 9°C or 8°C, then you’ll likely need to upgrade your wetsuit thickness to 5mm. This is to accommodate the drop in water temperatures and the cold weather when you’re out of the water and on the beach.
Which type of swimwear is ideal for cold water swimming?
Look for swimming costumes that are made from thicker materials such as neoprene, and make sure they have a good fit so they don’t let any cold water in. Our Linda reversible wetsuit is a great example of a long-sleeved, shorty wetsuit that can help you retain warmth without being too restrictive. If you land between two sizes, or you’re at the top of the size range and are unsure which would be best suited to you then we would always advise sizing up, wetsuits are already designed for a tighter fit without restricting your range of movement therefore its best to accommodate for this by sizing up.There are four key attributes to consider when selecting the right wetsuit: Warmth, Flexibility, Durability, and Fit.Some women prefer wearing a bikini under their wetsuit for ease of movement and flexibility. Like swimsuits, this gives you more coverage when wearing your wetsuit half down on hot days before or after getting in the water.Generally, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited.
Who should not do cold water swimming?
Risks from pre existing health conditions As a general rule, get expert medical advice before winter swimming if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, asthma, or are pregnant. Cold water swimming can improve blood pressure and fat levels in the blood when practised regularly by those in good general health. However, if you have a heart condition, there are risks you should consider and discuss with your doctor or nurse specialist before starting swimming.Add a Pool Heater for a Warmer Pool. If you’re concerned about getting sick from swimming in a cold pool, there are practical solutions available. Installing a pool heater is a convenient way to regulate the water temperature and create a more comfortable swimming environment.
What is the secret to cold water swimming?
The secret to acclimatising to cold water is just to swim in it, often – at least once a week, and preferably two or three, gradually extending the time that you stay in the water,’ says Dr Heather Massey a swimmer and a researcher at the Extreme Environments Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth. In the case of the Titanic, it is estimated that it would have taken at most 15 to 45 minutes for most people in the water to succumb to the worst effects of immersion hypothermia (if they hadn’t drowned).Our heart works harder when we’re moving through water than when we’re on land. And the colder the water, the harder the heart must work. Just entering very cold water can lead to a ‘cold shock’, which can cause a faster heart rate, higher blood pressure, and shortness of breath.When you immerse yourself in cold water, your body’s fight-or-flight response is triggered, which releases cortisol – the stress hormone. The more often you take dips in cold water, the more your brain gets used to the cold and lowers these stress hormones.Very cold water (Below 50°F / 10°C) can mean it only takes 10 to 15 minutes for you to become hypothermic. This can lead to unconsciousness and creates a severe risk of drowning within 30 minutes. Getting out of the water as quickly as possible is vital for survival.