When in doubt... use more lube!!!!

Lube. Critical to getting into an open-cell wetsuit easily and without damaging it.

I also use lube when getting into an internally nylon-lined suit as well, to make sure it gets a good / proper seating and is comfortable.

There are commercial wetsuit lube products available, but don't overcomplicate things.  Save your $$$.

I buy the cheapest hair conditioner (cream rinse) that I can find at the dollar store that I can stand the smell of.  I then put it in a bottle at approx 1:4 ratio (20% conditioner) and water.

Some people use a typical water bottle and swish it around in the suit before donning.

I previously used a typical spray bottle and spray the inside of the suit and sleeves down... then spray myself before slipping into the suit.  The problem is that these thin bottles would eventually crack and spill the lube when I needed it most... not to mention the mess it would make.

I have recently found the BEST wetsuit lube solution: a pump-action, pressurized, trigger-action spray bottle!

It is super robust, the spray can be adjusted from a steady stream to a very fine mist (and can really use the lube sparingly) and it holds a ton of lube (about 1L)!

This capacity is important, because when your dive buddies see it... they will all ask to use it.  

It cost me $3.50 at the same dollar store where I buy my 1L bottles of $2 conditioner.  :D

How to remove your wetsuit top in :02 sec flat!!

BEST method, bar none... especially if you have a fragile, unlined slickskin suit!!

Nose clips

From left to right:
Apnea Academy, 3Diver.com and Trygons.

Which noseclip to choose??  There are basically only 3 key factors for me... will it hold, is it comfortable and cost.

The Trygons is thick aluminum and is like a pair of vice-grips for your nose... it definitely holds, it's uncomfortable and it is on the expensive side.

The Apnea Academy is made of plastic, super light, holds well while dry... but the deer-hide pad slips for me when wet and is a fair price, but shipping can be expensive, depending on your location.

The 3Diver.com noseclip is aluminum, comes in red, silver or blue and is much lighter than the Trygons.  It is comfortable, very reasonably priced and holds great wet or dry.

If I had to choose only one to buy for both dry training and wet (pool / depth) use, it would be the 3Diver.com noseclip.  It has no weaknesses.


What does the Appneaddict use?
Since I have bought all 3 of these, I use the Apnea Academy one solely for dry use.  It is lightweight and has large pads which spread out the load.  This allows me to leave it permanently in my "breathing room" and never have to worry about taking it to the water with me.

For wet use, I modified the Trygons before I got the 3Diver.com noseclip, because the pads that came with it kept coming off in the pool.

I put some Sugru silicone putty on the Trygons and let it cure.  I then lightly sanded it to remove the smooth surface and took a hacksaw blade and very lightly scored it to give it added traction / grip... like a tire tread to help displace water.

This is by far the most secure and comfortable noseclip, but it is a bit on the heavy side.  This is what I use in the pool and trust for competition use to prevent slipping.

Again - if I wanted to buy one noseclip that worked well / does it all... the 3Diver.com one would be my choice, knowing what I know now.  The Trygons, plus shipping, plus Sugru, plus labour is well over $100, if I was recreating it.

BEST cold-water mitts

MEC.ca (only ships to Canada I think) makes incredible mitts designed for winter kayaking.

They are 5mm neoprene and pre-curved (to hold a paddle).

MEC Hot Mitts are lined inside and let a BIT of water in through wicking, but your fingers and hand warms up the liquid so much!  It's like finger soup!

I have tried 6mm gloves (every finger gets numb quickly) and even 6mm 3-finger "lobster-claw" gloves but with those, even the lone / individual finger gets numb.

These offer less dexterity, so if you might need to cut yourself away from entanglements, etc - think hard... but if you're in a controlled environment - these are GREAT!  I can use my camera, pinch my nose, etc. all fine.  LOTS of room to wiggle your fingers and keep them warm.

Who doesn't like a great bootie!?

The best neoprene sock / bootie on the market - the Argos 2mm sock.

It is super comfortable and are made both left and right foot specific. 

They are multi paneled an have a great slickskin ankle seal to keep water out:

The sole has GREAT traction with little rubber treads which REALLY stops the foot from moving while inside the fin:

I got mine at: 

CanAmUWHGear.com

Also available at Neptonics.com