Dry Suits
Scuba Diving Dry Suits
The big clue is in the name “Dry suit”. They are designed to keep you dry and warm – keeping the chill of the water from your skin. Your boots are attached to the suit so only your hands and feet need protecting. Around your wrists and neck, the suit should fit snuggly. Sometimes these suits can be difficult to put on, so your dive buddy might come in handy, especially if it’s made from Neoprene, which is really buoyant.
Dry Suits are fitted with an inflator and exhaust valve, with some suits having a shoulder or wrist automatic/ manual dump valves which are used for assent or descent and to avoid the “squeeze”. The main material used is neoprene foam rubber or a combination of both.
A dry suit is going to more expensive than a wet suit, so it worth buying quality gear which will last a long time and justify the price – the most expensive part of the item is the zip. The zip is complex and obviously has to be waterproof, it can positioned both front, across the torso and across the back of the shoulders.
There are many zipper arrangements in use, because the waterproof-zipper is very rigid. It cannot stretch at all, which can make it difficult for a user to get into and out of the suit. Don’t forget to try and get a dry suit with a “fly” zipper because a dry suit is designed to keep the water out and if you get ‘caught short’ it is going to keep everything else in – it might warm you up initially, but not nice afterwards if you catch my drift….
At the same time as you purchase your dry suit, you should also be buying your thermal under-suit. A popular material is Thinsulate.
A dry suit is typically used in water temperatures between −2 and 15 °C
Kneepads elbow pads and seat pads are for protection against tearing. Make sure your dry suit has facilities to attach your clips and lanyards to and plenty of pockets are a good idea. Dry Suits come in sizes ranging from small to extra-large. Don’t forget to allow for your undergarments which you will wear underneath the dry suit when choosing your size.
In this day and age online shops take out the middle man and prices are cheaper and easy to source. You can always try your dry suit on in a shop and get the advice of the experts regarding the model make and number and then jump onto the old interweb and save a few bucks online.
A dry suit can cost a lot of money, so looking after it is important.
• Dry off the inside of your suit first and then pay attention to the zipper clean gently removing anything stuck between the teeth.
• Carefully lubricate it if necessary
• Flush the suit with fresh water making sure not to forget the inflation and exhaust valves make sure the zip is closed first so the water does not enter your suit.
• Do not put it out to dry in the direct sunshine.
• Be careful how you fold it up when its clean and dry storage is also important part of its maintenance.
• Instructions on the labels for cleaning should be followed.
[product_category category=”dry-suits”]