What provides the best thermal protection in cold Maine waters?

• A. Wetsuit or drysuit
• B. Cotton sweater
• C. Foam T-shirt
• D. Plastic poncho

Answer: (A)

Cold water pulls heat from your body quickly, so the best protection is to wear gear designed to trap or block heat loss. A wetsuit or drysuit is built for this purpose. Wetsuits use neoprene to create an insulating layer between you and the water; the suit traps a thin layer of water that your body then heats, reducing heat loss as long as you stay active and the suit isn’t too thin for the conditions. A drysuit keeps you completely dry and, with proper insulating underlayers, can provide far greater warmth in cold Maine waters by minimizing evaporation and wind chill.

Cotton loses its insulating value when wet, so a cotton sweater becomes a heat conductor rather than an insulator. A foam T-shirt is minimal protection and won’t keep you warm once wet. A plastic poncho offers almost no insulation and won’t stop heat loss effectively. So, the best thermal protection comes from wearing a wetsuit or a drysuit with appropriate underlayers.