You Can’t Dive without a wetsuit

The accessory that most symbolizes today’s scuba diver, apart from the fins, mask and tank, is the wetsuit. Wet suits are usually made of a combination of neoprene rubber and synthetic fabrics. They have come a long way since the early days of suit pioneers such as the O’Neill Brothers Santa Cruz surf suits. The make-up of today’s wetsuits has evolved into a wide variety of fabric weaves, designs, colors and types of material densities. With the many brands that each offers their unique take on each part of the diver’s dress, consumers are spoiled for choice.

History

Wetsuits were first made from rubber skins and were worn to keep in heat and for skin protection. More advanced suits made of neoprene, whose cellular construction traps air and water to be heated better than simple rubber. These more advanced suits were made possible by early designs of the rubber suits. However, although neoprene is more flexible, the earlier versions of wetsuits made from it were easy to rip and very hard to put on, putting it on often required applying talcum powder to the inside of the suit. As several generations passed, new breakthrough lines such as the Sharkskin and Turtleskin brands added a whole new layer of nylon sheeting to the inner suit and a textured surface which increases strength and durability.

Modern westsuits use combinations of Lycra or other synthetic materials to replace nylon sheeting. Some brands, such as the Pinnacle Aquatics lines, feature combinations of titanium weaves and natural Merino wool to increased durability, warmth and to reduce odors. These modern suits also use layers of thicker materials to protect sensitive spine and neck areas, and have reinforced knee and elbow pads to protect the diver against chafing against rocks and coral heads.

How They Work

There is one basic principle of the wetsuit; water flows into small pores of the neoprene foam of the suit where it is trapped, it is then warmed up by the body heat and energy of the diver. This layer of warm water then acts as a thermal suit by keeping the cold water from getting to the skin. Wetsuits are actually designed to let water come into contact with the skin, unlike the drysuits which are sealed to keep water out. When temperatures range from 40 to 60 degrees, the average dive temperature, wetsuits are preferably used because there are hardly any intense temperatures for the body to be protected from. Drysuits are used for low exceedingly low temperatures to protect the body from potential freezing.

Types of Wetsuits

Besides the well-known full suit, there are many other different types of wetsuits. One particular wetsuit, “Shorty” suits, have full torsos but don’t cover the entire arm and leg areas. These are good for warm water conditions because its main purpose is for maintaining body heat at great depths. Another suit, the “Farmer John” style, which has a thickened pants layer that goes up around the shoulder but does not cover the arms. This is a good type for surfing purposes where knee protection is important. Another addition to these suits is the now specialized “thin suits” for competitive swimming and light dive purposes. These suits do more than just temperature control as they offer streamlining and abrasion protection.

Hoods

Since over 25% of body heat is lost through the head, hoods are a very important accessory to a full west suit. Hoods are often made of similar materials to a wetsuit, but are somewhat thicker to prevent loss of heat around such a sensitive area. Most hoods have long “bibs” that tuck within the neck of the wetsuit to protect against a gush of cold water down the neck.

Booties

Even though some wetsuits have integrated feet, most use separate booties that are drawn up over the legs of the wetsuit. These are usually corrugated and reinforced to allow divers to stand or push off against rough surfaces.

Gloves

The last important accessory. Gloves must not only protect against cold water, but also must stop sharp coral and rocks from damaging the skin. Gloves often have textured fingertips to help in handling gear or other objects during a dive.

As you can see, wet suits have come a long way since the early primitive rubber casings of the early 1950′s. With new materials and special computer-aided designs, wetsuits will continue to improve and offer the divers of the 21st century many new options for their diving experience.

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