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Choosing a Dry Suit
Choosing a dry suit
A suit to use in cold conditions is a major investment for most divers. You are not just investing in keeping dry but also in keeping warm. To do this it must fit well with seals that are efficient at the neck and wrists. Dry suits can be split into two main categories:-Neoprene and membrane. The former keeps you warm due to the thickness of the foam although the foam does compress during descent becoming thinner the deeper you go. As it becomes thinner it also becomes less buoyant so air needs to be put into the suit to compensate for this.. A membrane suit is usually made from a trilaminate material and is purely for keeping the water out so an undersuit has to be worn for warmth. As you descend, the air in your suit becomes compressed and seems to shrink -this is known as suit squeeze- so air needs to be put in to maintain neutral buoyancy and also to prevent “squeeze”. The air added to the suit warms up by body heat and acts as an extra insulation layer, this effect is reduced the more the suit is compressed
Bear in mind that with a neoprene suit you need to counteract the effect of squeeze AND the material compressing. There are a couple of types of material that blur the boundaries between membrane and neoprene;- crushed and compressed neoprene. These have the toughness of neoprene but without the tendency for the suit material to alter it’s buoyancy during the dive . Usually more expensive than standard neoprene or trilaminate suits.
Seals. These can be made of neoprene or latex rubber. Latex tends to be more watertight but also more fragile while neoprene tends to be robust and warmer on the wrists but often leaves a bit of a damp wrist. If you have sinewy or particularly thin wrists then latex seals are probably your best choice. Latex are usually fitted to membrane suits and neoprene to neoprene though vice versa is possible.
Valves:- You need valves in a dry suit to maintain constant volume and so control your neutral buoyancy.
Inflator valves are usually a simple push button type located at a convenient place on the suit, mid chest being the most popular position. These have a direct feed hose commonly from the diver’s main supply cylinder though some divers carry a small cylinder dedicated to suit inflation.
Deflation or dump valves come in two types;- manual and auto. The manual is a simple flap valve and is usually situated on the wrist with a simple raise of the hand to dump. The auto or to give it it’s Sunday name the constant volume dump is a spring loaded adjustable valve usually located on the upper arm or shoulder.
Zips. The entry to most dry suits is closed by a waterproof zip commonly across the shoulders but, sometimes diagonally across the chest. The latter allowing you to don the suit and seal it yourself. A growing feature now in dry suits is a pair of braces. This allows the suit to be a bit longer in the body to allow for movement yet reduces the low hanging crotch so often seen on older style dry suits. Most dry suit manufacturers will make a made to measure for the same price as an off the peg so make sure your suit fits as this represents a major investment in your diving comfort. John Hewitt is a Padi, SAA and BS-AC instructor, One of the original members of Selby Aquanauts and CEO of Red Hat Diving. His web site is www.redhatdiving.com and email is john@divertrainingservices.co.uk
About the Author
Founding member of SAA club Selby Aquanauts and CEO of Red Hat Diving. BCD manufacturer.
Amzer Black Neoprene Sports Pouch with Neck Strap
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SUPERIOR NECK/CHEST/SHOULDER SWEAT/NEOPRENE SURCINGLE-L $189.00 |
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SUPERIOR NECK/CHEST/SHOULDER SWEAT/NEOPRENE SURCINGLE-M $179.00 |
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9 Piece Neoprene Restraint Set! Neck Wrist Ankle Bicep Thighs Great Cuff & Colla $69.00 |
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Genuine Sony Neoprene Shoulder Neck Strap STP-SB2AM $52.99 |
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Opteka Neoprene Adjustable Cushioned Neck Strap for Digital Cameras & Binocu $59.97 |
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Dry Suit Glide Skin Neoprene Neck Seal Glue Kit sail S $33.98 |
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Matin Neoprene DSLR Camera Neck Shoulder Curve Strap M-6780 for Nikon Canon $25.28 |
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10pcs Neoprene neck strap for Canon Nikon pentax Black $41.70 |
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New Crumpler Singapore Slim Black Neoprene Shoulder Neck Strap for SLR Cameras $39.99 |
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New Crumpler Singapore Slim Snow White Neoprene Neck Strap for DSLR SLR Cameras $39.99 |
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New Crumpler Singapore Slim Purple Neoprene Neck Shoulder Strap for DSLR Camera $39.99 |
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Tough-1 Neoprene Full Neck Sweat-Black-Horse $39.95 |
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Tough-1 Neoprene Full Neck Sweat-Black-Yearling $33.95 |
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Vuarnet Genuine Neoprene “Croakies” style Sunglasses Neck Band accessory $19.09 |
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Tough-1 Mini Neoprene Neck & Shoulder Sweat-Black $32.99 |
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NEW Face Neck Warmer.Bike Riding.Biker Gear.Motorcycle Accessories.Wind.Neoprene $24.99 |
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MINIATURE HORSE NEOPRENE NECK SHOULDER SWEAT $24.99 |
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New Black Neoprene Face Mask Neck Fleece One Size Fits All Ski Snowboarding $22.05 |
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Curved shape neoprene neck shoulder strap for cameras $27.99 |
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Neoprene Full Neck Sweat with Velcro – Black $27.95 |
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Zeiss Wide and Contoured Neoprene Neck Strap for Full Size Binoculars #529119 $27.50 |
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Neoprene neck shoulder strap for cameras _Best quality! $26.99 |
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New black neoprene neck warm face mask veil sport motorcycle ski wind proof $9.95 |
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OP/TECH USA Mini Loop Strap QD, Neoprene Neck Strap for Compact Cameras $26.55 |
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NICE Black Tamrac Neoprene Ladded Camera Shouder Neck Strap w/ Quick Disconnects $26.00 |
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NEOPRENE FULL FACE MASK WITH FLEECE NECK CHEST SHEILD MOTORCYCLE WINTER SPORTS $19.99 |
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BLACK NEOPRENE FULL-FACE MASK WITH FLEECE NECK SHIELD $15.79 |
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FULL FACE NECK CHEST SHIELD MASK NEOPRENE STRETCH BLCK $16.98 |
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NOJ Neoprene Face Mask WINDRES Fleece Dickie. MADE IN THE USA. Neck Warmer $22.99 |
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NEOPRENE FULL FACE MASK WITH FLEECE NECK – FM-3300 $22.99 |
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Abetta Neoprene Neck Sweat – Black – 10 $22.95 |
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Abetta Neoprene Neck Sweat – Blue – 10 $22.95 |
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Abetta Neoprene Neck Sweat – Red – 10 $22.95 |
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Zan Headgear Neoprene Face Mask w/ Fleece Neck Shield $16.98 |
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Zan Headgear Neoprene Face Mask Neoprene Neck Shield $16.98 |
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Zan Headgear Full Face Neoprene Motorcycle Mask with Neck Shield Black $22.01 |
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New 12′ Sanrio LITTLE TWIN STARS Neoprene Pouch & Neck Strap for Digital Product $16.99 |
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New 2012 Sanrio MY MELODY Neoprene Pouch & Neck Strap for Digital Product $16.99 |
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ZAN HEADGEAR NEOPRENE NECK SHIELD BLACK ONE SIZE FITS ALL 26-4587 $16.95 |
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Tough-1 10 Neoprene Neck Wrap-Black $21.95 |
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Neoprene Face Mask Fleece Neck Shield Black $16.98 |
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Zan Headgear Full-Face Neoprene Motorcycle Mask with Fleece Neck Shield Black $21.18 |
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Cowboystudio Dual Neoprene Heavy-duty Neck Strap NePerformance Sling $21.00 |
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Cowboystudio Dual Neoprene Heavy-duty Neck Strap NePerformance Sling $21.00 |
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Cowboystudio Dual Neoprene Heavy-duty Neck Strap NePerformance Sling $21.00 |
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Cowboystudio Dual Neoprene Heavy-duty Neck Strap NePerformance Sling $21.00 |
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Cowboystudio ON-4A Neoprene Deluxe Heavy-duty Neck Strap $21.00 |
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Cowboystudio ON-4B Neoprene Deluxe Heavy-duty Neck Strap $21.00 |
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Cowboystudio Fashion Neck Strap $21.00 |
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Cowboystudio Fashion Neck Strap $21.00 |
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Cowboystudio Fashion Neck Strap $21.00 |
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Cowboystudio Fashion Neck Strap $21.00 |
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HALF FACE NECK CHEST SHIELD MASK NEOPRENE STRETCH BLCK $14.98 |
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Zan Headgear Neoprene 1/2 Face Mask Fleece Neck Shield $14.98 |
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Zan Headgear Neoprene Half Mask Neoprene Neck Shield $14.98 |
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Zan Headgear Half Face Neoprene Motorcycle Mask with Neck Shield Black $20.65 |
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OPTECH neoprene PRO LOOP camera neck STRAP WINE $20.50 |
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O.N.E. Neoprene Neck Strap Grey Camouflage $14.95 |
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O.N.E. Neoprene Neck Strap Green Camouflage $14.95 |
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NOJ Neoprene Face Mask & Fleece Dickie. MADE IN THE USA. Neck Warmer Extreme $19.99 |
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Oenophilia Neoprene Stem Strap, Assorted $14.99 Wine Glass Holder Necklace has a strap that goes around your neck and holds a wine glass in a neoprene sling. This hands free wine glass lanyard is the perfect wine glass holder for wine tastings. Take a wine glass holder necklace to your next wine event…. |
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Zip-Up 12-Ounce Beer Bottle Koozies, Set of 10 Zip-Up 12-Ounce Beer Bottle Koozies, Set of 10… |
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Body Glove 90145 Deluxe Ice Pack Knee and Elbow Wrap, Blue, Unisize $25.75 Unique patented design is adjustable to fit knees, ankles, wrists or elbows. Plush, premium closed-cell thermal neoprene traps warmth or cold next to injured area. Provides adjustable compression. Unisize, adjustable wrap soothes a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Retro-design Wide Mouth Bottle (included) fits into precut opening on the Deluxe wrap, and is easy to fill with ice or warm water. 11-… |
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Body Glove 90146 Deluxe Ice Pack, Shoulder, Back and Neck Wrap, Blue, Unisize $33.79 Deluxe Ice Wrap securely holds heat or cold against hard-to-reach back, shoulder, and neck regions, where other wraps slip, slide and fall off. Split design keeps wrap balanced and in place as it contours around the body, providing mild compression. Easiest way to secure cold or hot thermal packs in hard-to-wrap places Plush, premium closed-cell thermal neoprene traps warmth or cold next to injure… |
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Shepherd Omega Series Caster, 3 Neoprene Rubber with 5/16 x 1-1/2 Wood (Grip Neck) Stem $13.13 Shepherd’s Omega Series combine maximum performance and design into one caster. Equip your office furniture with the ultimate mobility product. The high polish chrome accents the dark neoprene or clear vipor wheels. Available with a variety of mounting styles, some with break…. |
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Wrist and Ankle Restraint Bar $15.95 This device is getting many compliments. It is comfortable, versatile and an inexpensive spreader system. The cuffs are made of heavy duty nylon on the outside to hold the strongest prisoners, yet comfortable neoprene on the inside. The spreader mid-section is rigid so they can not adjust their position. The mid section is made of nylon with a reinforced bar underneath. Cuffs secure using heavy du… |
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Ice Bandana (TM) – Grey/Black – TWO (2) PACK $16.99 Ice Bandana (TM) will keep you cool for hours. Simple freeze and use. NO DRIPPING MESS! Unlike competitive products, our product actually cools you and DOES NOT need ‘evaporation cooling’. It is ice and feels cold! Ice Snake insert is Made in USA – product is designed in USA. COLOR: GRAY Neoprene and Black Terrycloth Replacement inserts are made to extend cooling time. This is light weight … |