Evaporative Cooling and Material
Posted by: gibsonra
on Jan-11-13 6:45 AM (EST)
If the outside of your suit is slick rubber you will stay much warmer in the air. A suit with an outer skin of fabric will hold moisture and will freeze you in the air. The fabric is for abrasive resistance and that is why it is on the inside of the suit. Without it you would not be able to get it on. Fabric on the outside helps the suit slide over objects without the rubber grabbing. Most dive wetsuit have fabric on both sides because they are not exposed to the air. Windsurf suits have a slick rubber outer to shed water. It makes a tremendous difference.
I would suggest a small reflective space blanket that you can stuff somewhere for emergencies. If you are caught on shore after a swim it will help warm you up quick.
The shock of cold water can make things go bad quick so be careful. It is not the time to take chances.