Unlike wetsuits, which allow water to enter and form a thin layer for insulation, dry suits are designed to keep the diver completely dry throughout the dive. A drysuit is typically made of waterproof material such as Gore-Tex or vulcanized rubber and features watertight seals at the wrists, neck, and ankles.
Drysuits work by creating a barrier between the diver and the water, preventing any water from entering the suit. Unlike wetsuits, which rely on water for insulation, drysuits rely on thermal undergarments and occasionally heated undergarments to provide warmth. The air trapped inside the drysuit acts as an additional insulating layer, helping to maintain the diver's body temperature.
Thermal Protection: Drysuits are highly effective in cold water conditions. By keeping the diver completely dry, they eliminate the risk of hypothermia associated with prolonged exposure to cold water.
Versatility: Drysuits can be used in various water temperatures, making them suitable for both cold and warm-water dives. The diver can adjust the undergarments to accommodate different conditions.
Customization: Drysuits can be tailored to fit the diver's specific measurements, ensuring maximum comfort and mobility underwater.
Buoyancy Control: Drysuits do not offer inherent buoyancy and may require the use of additional weight systems to achieve proper buoyancy control.
Mobility: Drysuits can restrict mobility compared to wetsuits due to their bulkier nature. Proper training and practice are essential to maneuver comfortably in a dry suit.
You should wear a wetsuit when the temperature is below about 50 ° F/10 ° C. Some divers may even choose to switch to a drysuit instead of a wetsuit at higher temperatures to ensure an enjoyable dive is not interrupted by shivering. Wetsuits work by using an insulating layer to heat the small amount of water that enters the suit and sits between the neoprene and your skin. Drysuits are designed to keep you completely dry - this keeps you warmer more effectively as our body temperature gets colder much faster in water than in air. Technical divers use drysuits even in warmer water temperatures, due to the fact that they spend much more time underwater than recreational divers and need to ensure they stay warm throughout.