Drysuit Diving
Realise unlimited warmth while Scuba Diving with your very own Drysuit. Plus diving a Drysuit is loads of fun too. On top of this there are lot’s of common sense aspects that improve your safety along with comfort, extended diving time, photo & video capturing are all improved and easier to achieve when you remain warmer. Along with these key advantages, there are many other great aspects too.
Slipping into your Drysuit on a cool day is satisfying on it’s own. The anticipation of entering the sea unaffected by the water temperature to enjoy one of your favourite dive sites is fantastic. Relax while diving and easily follow your diving protocols, rest easy on your safety stops knowing you are warm enough and exit the water comfortable and warm.
Once out of the water a Drysuit has benefits too. It is not a problem if there is a cool breeze around, your drysuit will keep you warm in between dives. If anything, be careful not to overheat! No need to dry off when you’ve finishing your diving for the day, just get out of your drysuit and you’re already dry.. It’s no wonder Drysuit Divers keep talking about how much they enjoy diving their Drysuits!
Some Specifics
A Drysuit covers your body from your feet to your wrists and neck. There are seals around your wrists and neck preventing water entering the suit which means your body is in a completely dry in the air-filled Dry suit. It is that air which is trapped in the suit with the thermal layers you wear inside your drysuit that keeps you warm. It takes less energy to heat air in a drysuit than it does to heat water like in a wetsuit meaning less energy is required to keep warm.
Scuba Diving Drysuits are generally made from either Neoprene, Trilaminate or other type of robust waterproof material and often a mixture of materials to achieve a particular level of performance, comfort and efficiency. There is usually either Neoprene, latex or sometimes Silicone seals to ensure a watertight fit. Entry is through a watertight zip in either the front or rear. There are easy to use valves to inflate or deflate your Drysuit. A hood is worn to keep your head warm and either standard gloves or dry-gloves are worn. Dry-gloves being the warmest.
Diving a drysuit can help with reducing your risk of decompression sickness, improving your safety while diving. Being cold slows down your circulation and therefore the “off-gassing” of compressed bubbles when you ascend is slowed down as well. Our bodies circulation is improved when we are warm and this has a particular advanced for Scuba Divers. Improved circulation means the compressed air bubbles that have been absorbed while diving are able to escape at the normal, expected rate.
Best Practice Drysuit Diving
When you purchase a Drysuit, best practice is to do your PADI Drysuit Specialty Course. Learn about good drysuit care and maintenance, how to correctly fit your Drysuit and some fun safe Drysuit Diving techniques. Your PADI Drysuit Diver course includes a pool session and two open water dives along with the helpful knowledge development. At New Zealand Sea Adventures, we use our own on-site dive pool for the first session. The open water dives give you the opportunity to dive your Drysuit with the guidance of your PADI Instructor.
