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DRYSUITS


With a little practice, dry suits can provide unparalleled warmth and comfort during a dive, as well as leaving you nice and dry between and after dives.

The purpose of a drysuit is to ensure the wearer is kept dry and to provide thermal insulation or passive thermal protection to the wearer while immersed in water. Although these suits are predominantly worn by divers, other users such as boaters, water sports enthusiasts, and others who work or play in or near cold water also benefit from these suits. A dry suit normally protects the whole body except the head, hands, and possibly the feet, this is were the need for hoods, gloves and boots are greatly increased. In some configurations, however, all of these are covered as well.

The main part of the drysuit is a waterproof shell made from a membrane type material, neoprene or a commercial foam rubber.

Types of Dry Suits

Scuba drysuits are made from a few different materials.

  • Neoprene
  • Tri-Laminate
  • Vulcanized Rubber
  • And more...

Each type of suit comes with its own unique set of pluses and minuses.

Drysuit Features

A dry suits features are what turns it from a big person shaped water bag, into something that can keep you warm and dry in even the coldest water.

Multiple valves, zippers and seals all come together to form what looks to be a deceptively simple suit, but is actually a sophisticated piece of environmental survival equipment.

Fitting Drysuits

Because they are worn baggier than a wetsuit and an exact fit isn't necessary, fitting a dry suit is very easy.

But be aware: different brands can vary in their sizing.

The best thing to do is try on the suit while wearing whatever thermal under garment you plan to wear while diving.

Try squatting down to see if you can do so comfortably. Reach your hands over your head, hug yourself, bend twist and generally move around. If you feel like you have a good range of motion in all angles and directions without the suit being too baggy or tight, then the suit fits.

Make sure the boots fit, as this will be your biggest source of discomfort if not sized properly.

If you can't find something off the rack, then you'll have to get measurements done and order a custom suit.

Putting it All Together

There is no way around it, buying a drysuit is probably the most expensive piece of equipment the 'average' diver will buy. That's IF you can call anyone who is looking for a way to dive in freezing cold water and/or weather 'average'.

If you take a look at each of the above sections you'll have a good head start on picking out a great suit.

If you're lucky and have some dive buddies that own drysuits and are willing to let you try theirs, or a knowledgeable local dive shop like The SCUBA Doctor, them you'll be a lot further ahead.

Take the time to do your homework and you'll find the right suit that hopefully won't empty your bank account.



Scuba Diving Checklist

Scuba Diving Checklist

This checklist has been designed to help you ensure you have all the kit you need to go Scuba Diving. Some people tend to forget something when they go diving. By following this checklist you will ensure you never miss anything again.

Some bits of kit in this checklist are optional depending on the type of diving you are doing, so don't worry if you don't have everything on the list.

Exposure Protection

  Do I need? Do I have? Packed
Wetsuit / Drysuit
Drysuit Undergarments
Gloves
Hood
Boots
Jacket

Dive Equipment

  Do I need? Do I have? Packed
Mask
Snorkel
Fins
Dive Computer
Backup Mask
BCD
BCD Weight Pockets
Weight Belt
Weights
Regulators (First Stage, Second Stage, Octopus, Contents / Depth Gauge)
Scuba Cylinder
Pony Set Up (Pony Cylinder, First Stage, Second Stage, Contents Gauge)
Compass

Dive Accessories

  Do I need? Do I have? Packed
Dive Knife
Line Cutter
Reel
DSMB
Dive Float & Flag
Dive Light
Underwater Camera & Lights
Catch Bag
Kit Bag
Logbook
Hose Holder
Diving Slate
Safety Whistle
Glow Sticks / Marker Light

Backup Kit

  Do I need? Do I have? Packed
Spare Fin Strap
Spare Mask Strap
Spare O-Rings
First Aid Kit
Allen Keys / Spanners
Spare Hoses

 
Have we missed something from our Scuba Diving Checklist? If so, please email us with your suggestions.

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