Suit colour and pattern
Mark Boyd
reasons for choosing any particular colour of wet/dry suit, beyond
fashion? In particular, do black ones resist the ravages of UV light
better? And is there a particular colour that disturbs marine life the
least? Cheers.
Charlie Hammond
mark...@rspb.org.uk (Mark Boyd) writes:
>Hi Folks. Apologies if this is a tired subject, but are there sound
>reasons for choosing any particular colour of wet/dry suit, beyond
>fashion? In particular, do black ones resist the ravages of UV light
>better? ...
I have been told by the folks at Wetwear (http://www.weetwear.com)
that black neoprene significantly outlasts color.
--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Pompano Beach FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ppb.cpqcorp.net -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.
Dan Bracuk
:I have been told by the folks at Wetwear (http://www.weetwear.com)
:that black neoprene significantly outlasts color.
The neoprene lasts longer? Or the colour lasts longer?
Dan Bracuk
Toronto Canada
Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.
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Charlie Hammond
Dan Bracuk <NOTb...@pathcom.com> writes:
>hammond@not@peek.ppb.cpqcorp.net (Charlie Hammond) blessed us with
>:I have been told by the folks at Wetwear (http://www.weetwear.com)
>:that black neoprene significantly outlasts color.
>
>The neoprene lasts longer? Or the colour lasts longer?
My interpretation -- not from Wetwear -- is this:
The actual neoprene is always (?) black.
The color is in the fabric laminated to the neoprene.
The black fabric lasts longer.
Since the fabric protects the neoprene, the neoprene last longer too.
All colors will fade with exposure to salt water and sun.
Whether faded black looks better or worse that faded blue/red/yellow, etc.,
is a matter of personal opinion.
Brian Nadwidny
> The actual neoprene is always (?) black.
Not always. The cheap stuff is white (ish).
Brian
Edmonton, Alberta
DavidM
According to international shark attack file, "apricot" is the colour least
likely to result in you getting eaten.
--
Cheers
David M
obsessive personality disorder is not humorous
David Smith
"DavidM" <dav...@bcmarch.com.au> wrote in message
news:3def00ba$0$29...@echo-01.iinet.net.au...
The book I am reading currently claims dull colors like black and blue do
not attract the attention of sharks, of course you would need to also not
move, have no smell, have no heartbeat or electrical impulses for the black
wetsuit to prove a noticeable safety factor.
--
David Smith
One day, 28 minutes and 36 seconds. 25 cigarettes not smoked, saving $2.99.
Extra time for diving earned: 2 hours, 5 minutes.
Dave Pimlott
>
> [...]And is there a particular colour that disturbs marine life the
> least? Cheers.
avoid black if diving near sharks - it makes you look like a seal... :)
Dave Pimlott.
--
Politicians should be changed frequently, like nappies - and for
much the same reason. -- Lazarus Long (Time Enough for Love)
DavidM
> The book I am reading currently claims dull colors like black and
> blue do not attract the attention of sharks, of course you would need
> to also not move, have no smell, have no heartbeat or electrical
> impulses for the black wetsuit to prove a noticeable safety factor.
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/scuba/Clothes/Clothes.htm is a good
start to some stats on shark attacks by clothing type and colour
combination.
OldSalt
Hi Mark...and cheers to you also. I've only owned 3 wetsuits in my 20+
yrs of diving but I can share with you what I know from my experience.
Two were custom-made ... one of which I still own. The third was
bought off the rack. I outgrew the first suit. My dimensions
changed... ie. I went from being 100 lbs to being 120 lbs plus. That's
the only reason I sold it. It was black and yellow - the color combo
that some ppl say attracks sharks. I never attacked sharks with this
suit... in fact, I hardly saw any. The second custom suit I bought
and still wear on occassion for cold water diving is black, aqua and
yellow. Again, no sharks swarm me during my dives while I wear it.
I've had it for roughly 15 yrs. Yes, the colors have faded but I
actually like the new hues that that it turns each year. The new suit
I bought off the rack is black and purple.
Here's my thought on it... either buy a suit that you like for looks
and comfort and practicality..... or buy a suit that you think is
gonna combine all of those reasons and last til you give up the sport
and won't buy another. The first option might cost you and you might
outgrow the color choices. The second suit might last you for years,
til you're bored to tears with it.
I say... go for the fun. Buy colors. This sport is meant to celebrate
life in the water so why do it with drab black ??!! The colors don't
fade that much ... and if they do, they change to something
interesting. IMHO, I wouldn't worry about the colors of my wet
suit... I'd worry about the fit. The fit is more important than the
color. The color is just for fun. If you have the money and the
spirit... go for the color. :)
OldSalt
<snip>
--
Cheers
David M
obsessive personality disorder is not humorous
No. Nor is it an accepted diagnosis of any kind. Have you created a
new one ?? LOL
Mark Boyd
> http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/scuba/Clothes/Clothes.htm is a good
> start to some stats on shark attacks by clothing type and colour
> combination.
Thanks for that. The trouble with that table is it takes no account of
the frequency of different coloured wetsuits in general. I don't see
many apricot suits, so it stands to reason sharks don't either. But if
they are actively avoiding the hordes of apricot-garbed divers that
would be interesting.
My initial query was really about trying to avoid being disruptive to
fish, but one message that came back to me privately suggested - very
sensibly on the face of it - that dark colours are inherently less
safe because they (and therefore your buddy) disappear in low vis.
Brian Wagner
I once saw a documentary that mentioned wetsuits with the orange and
black stripes of a sea snake, and reported that sharks, at least in
regions where the sea snakes are indigenous, avoided that pattern like
the plague.
James Goddard
news:3DF0E088...@cle.philips.com...
> I once saw a documentary that mentioned wetsuits with the orange and
> black stripes of a sea snake, and reported that sharks, at least in
> regions where the sea snakes are indigenous, avoided that pattern like
> the plague.
And that's a good thing because?
Alan Street
<brian....@cle.philips.com> wrote:
> Mark Boyd wrote:
> >
> > My initial query was really about trying to avoid being disruptive to
> > fish, but one message that came back to me privately suggested - very
> > sensibly on the face of it - that dark colours are inherently less
> > safe because they (and therefore your buddy) disappear in low vis.
>
> I once saw a documentary that mentioned wetsuits with the orange and
> black stripes of a sea snake, and reported that sharks, at least in
> regions where the sea snakes are indigenous, avoided that pattern like
> the plague.
Yes, but did it attract the sea snakes instead?
Brian Wagner
>
>
> Yes, but did it attract the sea snakes instead?
They didn't say. Maybe during mating season.
DavidM
"OldSalt" <ba...@fast.net> wrote in message
news:edcb1a54.02120...@posting.google.com...
It's not a real disorder? I'm disappointed. It *was* a doctor who
diagnosed it. (unfortunately this newsreader doesn't do my sig)
Cheers
David M
DavidM
"Mark Boyd" <mark...@rspb.org.uk> wrote in message
news:7a6fa114.02120...@posting.google.com...
> "DavidM" <dav...@bcmarch.com.au> wrote in message
news:<3df00234$0$31...@echo-01.iinet.net.au>...
> > http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/scuba/Clothes/Clothes.htm is a good
> > start to some stats on shark attacks by clothing type and colour
> > combination.
>
> Thanks for that. The trouble with that table is it takes no account of
> the frequency of different coloured wetsuits in general. I don't see
> many apricot suits, so it stands to reason sharks don't either. But if
> they are actively avoiding the hordes of apricot-garbed divers that
> would be interesting.
Yeah, I'm aware of that, which is why I was hesitant to call them "stats".
Should have known better :)
Cheers
David M
DavidM
> I once saw a documentary that mentioned wetsuits with the orange and
> black stripes of a sea snake, and reported that sharks, at least in
> regions where the sea snakes are indigenous, avoided that pattern like
> the plague.
That might have been Valerie Taylor, who was I believe the person who
developed the stripey suit theory. She *did* get bitten on the leg whilst
wearing it IIRC.
Cheers
David M
OldSalt
How about 'obsessive compulsive disorder' ?? Nonetheless, it's cute. :)
Mike Shelley
You mean that there is a choice OTHER THAN BLACK??? When did that happen
??? <grin>