| Diving suits are designed to insulate the diver from | | | | purchase of this scuba gear. As benchmark, use a 2 |
| the chilly temperatures of the depths. Consequently, | | | | mm thick wetsuit when diving water temperatures |
| some wetsuits perform the dual function of | | | | above 70 degree Fahrenheit. Meanwhile use the |
| protection and serve as the first line of defense | | | | thicker wetsuits (3 to 5 mm) for dive vacations in |
| against abrasion from corals, jellyfish stings and | | | | temperate and freshwater locations where |
| extreme exposure to the sun when cruising warm | | | | temperatures cold drop to as low as 60 degrees |
| water environments. Wetsuits come in different | | | | Fahrenheit and below. |
| styles, designs and sizes to match a diver's fit and | | | | I'm a beginner, what type of wetsuit should I buy? |
| preference. But instead of confusing the reader with | | | | Again, the dive profile of the location matters in the |
| the materials and stitching that goes into the | | | | selection of this scuba gear item. Shorties are fit for |
| manufacture of a wetsuit, allow us to give you an | | | | use in tropical waters while full suits are required |
| overview of its functionality along with a few tips on | | | | when diving waters with chilly temperatures. Farmer |
| the selection and maintenance of this important piece | | | | Johns can be used in warm water environments but |
| of scuba gear. | | | | it would be good practice to wear it over a skinsuit if |
| How does the wetsuit keep the diver warm? Made | | | | the diver succumbs to cold easily. The advantage of |
| of synthetic rubber foam called neoprene, the scuba | | | | pairing a wetsuit with a skinsuit (as undergarment) is |
| gear traps a thin film of water between the garment | | | | the benefit of easy donning. The neoprene material |
| and the pores of the skin upon descent. With the | | | | easily slips into the lycra fibers of the skinsuit when |
| confined water consequently warmed by body heat, | | | | directly donned over the body. |
| key to its insulation properties is the wetsuit's snug | | | | What about using a skin suit instead? The skinsuit |
| fit over the arms and below the thighs. Otherwise, a | | | | only protects the body from abrasion and does not |
| loose wetsuit will accumulate excessive amounts of | | | | offer insulation. Said scuba gear [ is best used in |
| water in said areas, displace body heat and defeat | | | | tropical waters. |
| the purpose of insulation. | | | | How do I clean the wetsuit after the dive? Proper |
| How thick should the wetsuit be? Wetsuits are | | | | care and maintenance should be expended on the |
| primarily categorized in terms of the millimeter | | | | wetsuit in order to extend its serviceable life. Dip and |
| dimension of its torso and limb sections which ranges | | | | hand wash the garment in a tub filled with an |
| from 2 mm to 9 mm. The thicker the wetsuit, the | | | | enzyme based cleaner to rid perspiration, odors and |
| better insulation it can provide. Nonetheless, thicker | | | | also urine from the garment. Also apply a desalter to |
| wetsuits (6 mm up) have the tendency to be bulky | | | | remove traces of salt sticking on the material. After |
| to restrict movement and affect diver comfort. | | | | rinsing, allow the wetsuit to dry under the heat of |
| Diving conditions, particularly climate and water | | | | the sun but be careful not to store it under direct |
| temperature, should be the major consideration in the | | | | sunlight when storing. |