I was in a 7mil XL overall's wetsuit with a full 7ml long sleeved jacket on over it. (14mil on my torso) to go in some really cold NE water. (57F). It took 37 pounds of lead to sink me. Walking from the car to the beach was hard enough, but the beach entry was in bouldery water with lots of slime and kelp and NO visiblity due to the surf crashing up. That's not even including the weight of the tanks. I'm lucky I didn't fall down and knock myself out.
And this is why I think I'll stick with tropical diving
- 18 vs. 37 pounds of lead
- less bulky wetsuit
- I can see farther than my hand
- I'm warm when I get out of the water
- nasty kelp
It turns out that cold water doesn't bother me if I'm in a wetsuit. I really don't notice it on my face at all once I'm down. It's the thought of getting out and still being cold (except for about 2 months) that really gets to me.
I can't even blame big boobs - I'm sort of equally fat all over.