Re: [Paddlewise] Layering wetsuits

From: Ira Adams <iadams_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 98 07:48:51 -0500
>But what about that second two mil vest and shorts over the longjohn.
...etc.

You seem to be assuming so much effectiveness for the first layer of 
insulation that the second layer has nothing to insulate -- sort of like 
the situation you would have if you wrapped a blanket around a very 
well-made thermos bottle. We don't do the latter because the gain in heat 
retention would be negligible (relatively little heat leaks from the 
bottle) and the coffee wouldn't be noticeably hotter or stay that way 
much longer than without the blanket.

The same logic could be used to "prove" that layering winter clothing 
isn't helpful. Part of the value of layering (in general) is that it 
offers the option of tailoring your level of insulation to the conditions 
(by adding or removing layers), thus avoiding overheating. That's 
probably not a consideration when immersed in cold water.

A human body wrapped in any kind of clothing probably does NOT 
approximate a thermos bottle. There will be significant heat loss through 
a first thin layer of neoprene, else why would thicker neoprene insulate 
better? Whether 'tis better to make it thicker buy buying it thicker in 
the first place or by adding a second thin layer would seem to be an 
empirical question, i.e., begging for someone to go out and measure the 
difference with a thermometer.

Hope that early morning rambling adds to the discussion...

Ira  Adams



************************************************************
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apps to files. I don't configure peripherals or networks 
before using them. I don't manage IRQs and DMA channels, 
either. My computer works for me, not the other way around.
I have a Macintosh.


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Received on Thu Oct 29 1998 - 04:50:29 PST

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