| As water takes away your body heat 25 times | | | | which allows lighter on non underwear. In deep dives, |
| faster than air, it is crucial to choose the appropriate | | | | neoprene can be compressed to 2mm, loosing part |
| thermal protection when diving. Several dives in a | | | | of its insulation properties. However, it is possible to |
| wet suit in colder water than 65ºF/20ºC | | | | buy pre-compressed neoprene to avoid this |
| will diminish your abilities and efficiency seriously. | | | | inconvenience. |
| Under 55ºF/16ºC a scuba dry suit is | | | | A Couple of Tips about Scuba dry Suits |
| essential. | | | | You may want to consider the following |
| The main function of dry scuba suits is to keep the | | | | recommendations when planning to dive with a scuba |
| diver dry: the dry suit has several seals that prevent | | | | dry suit. |
| the water from coming in. Frequently divers wear | | | | • Check your suit a few days before the |
| undergarments under the scuba dry suit because | | | | immersion: make sure waterproof zippers, seals and |
| they create layers of air inside the scuba dry suit | | | | valves are in good condition and if not send them to |
| that improve thermal insulation. This means that a dry | | | | repair. |
| scuba suit can be used in a wide variety of water | | | | • When wearing the suit, your seals and neck |
| temperatures needing only to adjust the underwear | | | | seals must be correctly trimmed and adjusted. Latex |
| type to go underneath. We must also consider when | | | | seals are trimmed often till they are 15% smaller than |
| making the choice of underwear, the type and | | | | your neck and wrist circumference. Neoprene seals |
| intensity of the activity we are planning to do and | | | | need to be stretched over night: the neck on the |
| our body size. | | | | widest part of the scuba tank and the wrist over a |
| Scuba dry suits are easier to put in and off than wet | | | | tin can. |
| suits, but they also required specific and professional | | | | • Use the minimum amount of weight possible to |
| training (do not try to figure it out on your own!) and | | | | help you achieve neutral buoyancy. |
| some practice to learn how to use them. Scuba dry | | | | • Make sure you choose a body that |
| suits have a buoyancy control system incorporated | | | | understands how your scuba dry suit works. |
| to help you maintain neutral buoyancy. This is | | | | • Practice, practice and practice till it becomes a |
| achieved through valves: an inflator valve (usually in | | | | second nature for you. |
| the middle of your chest) and an exhaust valve | | | | How to Maintain your Scuba Dry Suits |
| (usually in the outside of your left bicep). On top of | | | | Rinse it well with clean fresh water after every dive. |
| this, you must always wear a buoyancy compensator | | | | Check that seals, valves and zippers work correctly |
| as a back up to guarantee you a surface flotation | | | | and have them fixed it not. You don´t need |
| device (in the rare case that the one on the suit | | | | to rinse the inside unless is wet or damp (pay special |
| would not work). It is important to remember that it | | | | attention to the bottom of the boots). Dry it out of |
| is very difficult to control both systems at the same | | | | the sun and without hangers. Do not storage it till it is |
| time and to do so could distract you from the basic | | | | fully dried to avoid mold and mildew. |
| measures to have a safe dive, so do never use | | | | The zippers should be lubricated wit bees or paraffin |
| them together! | | | | wax. For the seals you can use talcum powder or if |
| Types of Scuba dry Suits: There are basically two | | | | you don´t have any, soapy water. To storage |
| types of scuba dry suits: | | | | it, roll it and put it in a sealed bag in a cool dry place, |
| • Membrane suit: a material called trilaminate. This | | | | away from sources of ozone (like hot water heaters |
| material is very thin (1mm) so it requires more | | | | or electric motors). In any case, the best is to |
| protective thermal underwear than a neoprene one. | | | | consult your scuba dry suits manual for care |
| • Neoprene. The material is very thick (7/8mm) | | | | instructions. |