Wetsuits

[Eyemadman]

Is there any wetsuits out on the market that prevent hypothermia? I was thinking that there had to be, at least for scuba divers. I am going to get one for cold water fishing that way if you go in, as long as you have your vest and wetsuit on, you can stay afloat for days. Correct me if Im wrong. Thanks

[Tim FRick]

The only suit that will save you from hypothermia is a dry suit which cost allot(this will only save you for a few hours depending on the temp.). Even with a wet suit you will lose body heat, just not as fast. I've dove in 52 degree water with a full 6mm wet suit and was cold after a half hour, not to mention if you don't have a hood on you'l get ice cream head. One good thing about them is you don't need a life jacket because they keep you alfoat. I don't think this would be a fool proof route to go if you fell in the water. It will help alittle though!
Good Luck!!
Tim FRick

[Tim FRick]

sorry I thought of one other option, a survial suit that the coast guard uses. That will help you survive longer then any other.
Good Luck!!
Tim FRick

[Gray Ghost]

In addition to being a fisherman, I windsurf and snorkel with wetsuits, and I used to sell wetsuits.

A wetsuit won't keep you alive for days if you are in the water. It would usually keep you alive for a few more hours, depending on the water temperature. Wearing a wetsuit would definitely delay the onset of hypothermia.

I doubt a wetsuit is a practical everyday safety measure for fishermen, because when you are wearing one and you are NOT in the water, they are sweaty and uncomfortable. You would be at more risk from heatstroke and dehydration than from hypothermia. So you would not want to wear one all the time. And, they are hard to get in to, so if your boat were sinking, you would have to strip out of all your other clothes and put on your wetsuit, as the boat sank - not realistic, I think.

Maybe you were thinking of a survival suit? This is a full body suit made of very thick neoprene, including mitts and booties and a hood. It is entered through a long zipper and you don't have to take off your clothes to get in it. It helps you float and keeps you warm. It could keep you alive for a day. Commercial vessels often carry them, as do long distance racing yachts. They are very expensive and might be too bulky to keep on a walleye boat; depends on how big your boat is. You can get them at the major marine supply stores - I think Boat U.S. and West Marine should carry them, at least in their catalogs.

I'm not trying to discourage you from taking whatever safety measures you think you need, but I think there are other, more effective, less expensive safety measures than carrying wetsuits or survival suits. Once you have implemented all of those, if you still want to buy a survival suit (or one for each person in your boat), go for it!

Hope this helps.

GG

[Hogger]

Wind lovers have the best gear. There's a combination life jacket/foul weather gear/survival suit sold under the brand name "Mustang Suit". You can find it in either the West Marine or BoatUS catalogs. Expensive, but would be a lot more comfortable and functional than either a wet or dry suit, unless you're going diving.

[Ed M]

Here's a link to Mustang Survival suits. They make a whole line, and sell to the US and Canadian coast guards.

#####://www.mustangsurvival.com/