Hi DUI,
I started diving back in 1984 when a co-worker told me about diving lessons. I was strictly a warm water tropical diver back then, wearing a 2-piece full 3mm wetsuit even in 80F degree water. I just could not see myself diving Michigan's cold water.
It was about 10 years later that I decided I was missing way too much fun and began to look for a drysuit. I am not "stock" size as there are not many drysuits made for 6' tall females. So, I ordered a custom suit from Brand X. While I stayed dry, I cannot say that the suit was easy to dive in, and when it was time to take my fins off - forget it! The suit restricted my movement and I could not reach my feet. Needless to say, my local diving did not flourish. A few years later, Sea-Side Dive Shop became a DUI dealer and I ordered a Special Production CF200 with Powerstretch DiveWear. What a difference. There was no restriction in my movement and I was ready to tackle the coldest water Michigan had to offer.
Since getting my DUI, I have become addicted to diving in our local rivers searching for antique bottles. The attached photograph shows me exiting at a favorite location on one of those rare winter days when the water was very clear, the sky was bright blue, the wind was nonexistent, there were no ice flows to impede your exits and the air temperature was about 40F. A perfect day for a winter dive. However, you better have a drysuit as the water temperature was a brisk 34 F. While I did not have any great discoveries on this day I certainly had a great dive in my CF200 drysuit, ZipNeoprene gloves, ZipSeal on the neck and with my attached hood and my Delta BC.
Femia Alberts
St Clair Shore, MI
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