Wetsuit / semi-dry
Drysuit
DIVE KIT EXPLAINED
Wetsuit / semi-dry
What does it do? Even when water is relatively warm, it will sap the heat from your body much faster than air. As its name suggests, a wetsuit works by trapping a very thin layer of water around your body. They are made of flexible neoprene rubber, which offers a degree of thermal protection, but this is compromised by the amount of water that flushes through the system( a fairly snug fit is important). A semi-dry suit reduces this flushing further by reducing the amount of water coming in at the wrist, ankle and neck openings. Wetsuits come in a variety of thicknesses: Very broadly, a thickness of 1-3mm is for tropical water with a temperature range of 26-30 ° C, while 5mm wetsuits are for 23-26 ° C and a 7mm semi-dry suit should cover the 17-22 ° C range comfortably. How do I choose one? Semi-dry suits are usually provided for trainees in UK water, but on qualification you will likely want to buy your own suit, as it is quite a personal item. The dilemma you will face is whether to invest in a semi-dry or splash out on a full drysuit( see next item) Benchmark price: £ 200-400
Drysuit
What does it do? If you’ ve decided you want to do a lot of UK diving, a drysuit will be the best friend you ever had. Again, the name tells the story – these suits keep you warm( ish) by offering thermal protection and also keeping you dry. The neck and wrist seals are tight enough to( hopefully) eliminate all water ingress, as is the main zip, mounted either on the shoulders or across the front. The suit keeps you dry, but you also need a thermal undersuit to keep your body warm. The downside to all this thermal protection is that it is fairly buoyant, so you need more lead on your weightbelt( see next page). Drysuits are primarily for diving in water with a temperature range of 0-22 ° C. How do I choose one? Admittedly, the choice can seem be a tad bewildering. The principle choice is between the different types of suit material – which is best is the subject of long discussions, but the basic choice is between neoprene, crushed neoprene or some sort of trilaminate. Each has its merits, so again we think this is something you should discuss with your Training Officer or another senior instructor. Benchmark price: drysuit £ 800- £ 1,200 undersuit £ 100- £ 250
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