Ever encountered open circuit scuba divers who jump ship without even a shorty on? If you did, then they should be advised against that inappropriate practice. For all you know, they are not even certified scuba divers and may just have learned the trade from resort instructors who are not in any way affiliated with either PADI or NAUI. These are professional diver associations that are reputed to adhere to high standards of scuba diving safety.
Whether its your first time to shop for a wetsuit or a beginner checking out an array of scuba equipment at a local diving shop, know that the wetsuit is not a mere trimming of the sporting activity that is scuba diving. Don’t know where and how to start shopping for a durable and reliable wetsuit? Check out a few guidelines below to aid in your selection and purchase.
Why wear a wetsuit?
Many divers tend to think that the don of wetsuits is only necessary when conducting dives in temperate, cold water locations. But this is evidently a wrong notion, as scientific studies and collective diver experiences would confirm. When immersed in a body of water, the human body loses stored heat 20 times faster compared to the standard conductivity rates on land. In this regard, the wetsuit has been designed to minimize the loss of body heat by trapping energy between the scuba gear’s material and the pores of your skin during the dive. This way, the incidence of chills and hypothermia are prevented. Consequently, the wear of wetsuits during scuba diving activities, or even when snorkling, is prescribed for diver protection against abrasion from corals and jellyfish stings, apart from the intent of insulation.
What is your wetsuit made of?
The synthetic rubber neoprene is the standard material for most wetsuits. However, you will also discover in your shopping a few nylon diving suits called ‘skin suits’ that are produced from spandex or Lycra fibers. Spandex fibers are known for their optimum flexibility rating but do not provide the best insulation when used in cold water conditions.
Meanwhile, when shopping for neoprene wetsuits consider the dive profile of your favorite diving destination, particularly its temperature. If you fancy cold water dives, get a wetsuit with at least 3mm torso thickness. Now if you’re fond of tropical locations, then a 1 or 2 mm thick wetsuit will do. There are also versatile wetsuits that can be worn in both cold and warm water conditions.
How to don your wetsuit?
Some first-time divers would complain about the extreme tightness of the their scuba gear [http://www.scubasuppliers.com] upon donning, not knowing that diving suits are designed to fit snugly in order to efficiently insulate the body during the dive. Moreover, wetsuits tend to loosen up a bit as you hit the water to allow for less restrictive movements. So before you get into the dive, check for gaps all over the scuba gear and make sure that you have a perfect fit over the arms and under the thighs to prevent the collection of water in those areas that could compromise the wetsuit’s ability to keep you warm and comfortable.
