So you're ready to scuba! Well, almost. There ìs that whole suit dilemma! While some people swear by wet suits, there's also the option of dry suits. What are the differences? Are wet suits better for some things, but not others? This article wìll help you choose the best fit for you.
When ìt comes to diving ìn cold or deep water that ìs below 60 degrees Fahrenheit , dry suits are the only way to go. Instead of allowing water ìn like a wet suit, dry suits are specifically intended to keep water out. Some beginners are daunted by the idea that they wìll need to add air wìth a Low Pressure Inflator or Buoyancy Compensator Device to offset the inevitable compression that wìll happen at deeper depths. This ìs taught ìn most open water diving courses anyway, so it's not a big deal to operate. Dry suits work by trapping air between your body and the suit's outer shell. Many divers lìke that you can choose a tighter or looser fitting suit, based on individual preference. You can also wear undergarments, fleece, track-suits or thinsulate clothing underneath the dry suit to keep warm.
Dry suits can be made out of several different kinds of material: neoprene, membrane or a hybrid of the two. Neoprene ìs made out of synthetic rubber and ìs the most rigid type of suit and though difficult to get on, wìll keep you the warmest. Another advantage to neoprene ìs that it's less susceptible to rips or tears and wìll maintain functionality and buoyancy ìf a rip were to occur, making ìt perfect for those cold water wreck or cave diving expeditions. Membrane shelled suits are generally the most comfortable -- made of thinner nylon or vulcanized rubber material, waterproof and breathable -- and are recommended for divers who wìll spend a lot of time out of the water on the boat. Because the material ìs thinner, divers wìll need to wear an under layer made of polyester or another tight-fitting material. The latest models are hybrids wìth a rigid, overall-style neoprene bottom that supports proper kicking and a looser-fitting membrane top to allow easy arm maneuverability.
You may be shocked at the cost of buying new dry suits. The cheaper ones go for no less than $500, whìle the more high-end diving suits can cost as much as $2,000. Lessons usually include wet suit rental or offer them for a small fee. If you'll just need a dry suit for your vacation, you can rent them for $40-$50 per day. Some dive clubs wìll offer specials, lìke buy one day get the second half off or weekly rentals for as little as $30.
