Dry Suits

Dry suits are a good investment when diving in colder waters. While they may be more expensive than traditional wet suits, the amount of warmth and protection is the best in thermal protection. While some may question those who dive in the winter, a dry suit is the answer and keeps the warmth inside the suit.

Dry suits are typically made from neoprene, rubber or heavy duty nylon, using wrist seals, neck seal and waterproof zipper, with the option of attached scuba booties. Dry suit underwear are also available to wear under the dry suit, trapping a layer of air between the skin and water helping the diver stay warm during a dive.

The bare polar heat dry suit is one of the warmest dry suits, made. The hybrid design brings together the top elements of nylon and neoprene suits. This technology allows the diver to stay dry and allows for unrestricted movement. With heat reflective metalite neoprene, it offers 20% more insulation than the normal neoprene suit. To help in keeping out the elements, this brand of dry suits has a heavy duty brass zipper, a trim able neck seal, latex wrist seals that are sized and a seal inside the lower leg, to ensuring to perfect fit and making sure the diver stays warm. Also included, if desired for the ultimate in climate control is a removable fleece liner.

A palm classic, as with all dry suits, are constructed to not permit the cold water through, ensuring the diver will not ‘chill through.’ In addition, these suits can run quite a bit less in price, while supporting pretty much the same features, with few exceptions. Unlike some others it offers instead of one large chest pocket, has two smaller pockets that allow air to enter the armpit area when open. Also included is an outer rubber slit that covers the sipper, this is said to add to the friction.

The key to any equipment, of course, knows how to take care of it. Dry suits, after a dive, will be covered in a salt, dirt and sand, so it is important to rinse the suit in freshwater and be allowed to dry completely before storing it, and check the inside of the suit to ensure it is also dry. Keeping the suit dry will ensure it stays clean, odor-free and mildew and mold free.

In addition, zippers should be lubricated to prevent degradation, using paraffin wax or beeswax only.