New wetsuit! sweet!

soak it in water.  It will help make it more pliable.

As a rule (for me) OWS on my own are a no-no.  Too many variables, and open bodies of water are too unpredictable.  People drown even in life jackets.  If you can't find someone to go swimming with you, see if you can find someone who will keep an eye on you from shore. 

Easy way to put it on.... turn the arms and legs almost all the way inside out  ie. pull them up so you are looking at the inside and when you put your foot into the leg only a few inches of it go over your foot... then you roll the suit up your leg (and pull it up at the same time, pulling on the inside that is facing you).  Once you get the legs pulled up all the way to your crotch, pull the suit up over your hips.  Now put your arm into the suits arms that is mostly inside out, and again roll and pull it up over your arm.  Make sure you  pull the back of the suit up high before you zip it up.. and you are ready to jump in !!

It would be so much easier if I  had video but hope this makes sense.  I'm sure someone else will post a video  of this but I can't find  the link  to one.

I don't swim alone...UNLESS you are just staying close to shore, going back and forth in front of a lifeguard and you make them aware of what you are doing.  Plus, if a shark attacks, you want the shark to have someone else to eat

 I have no useful tips on the wetsuit-I only have used one once, and it was borrowed. 

I agree--don't swim alone--mostly for the shark reason!    What brand, etc?  I got a new wetsuit last week, too!  I haven't taken it for a swim, but did use it for a few other things.....