Scuba diving is one of the most interesting and fun activities you can do, but it’s not something you can’t try if you don’t have the proper equipment for it. You need a decent scuba diving gear package that includes a wetsuit or dry suit and gadgets to dive safely. Those products let you breathe underwater and move freely.
The best way to optimize how you use a wetsuit or dry suit is by fully understanding what you can do with it. Diving suits have many components, and they all work together to let you dive safely. Even if you dive in cold water, you will stay warm thanks to your diving suit.
If you wonder how scuba diving suits keep you warm underwater, this is the page for you. Dive into this to learn everything you need to know about how scuba diving suits handle the water temperature.
You should learn as much as you can about scuba diving before you dive yourself, and you can do that by reading more blog posts like this one. Our website has more of them, so check it out if you want to go scuba diving soon.
Dry Suits vs. Wetsuits – How Do They Keep Divers Warm?
How do scuba diving suits keep divers warm? The truth is that there is more than one answer to that question. Wetsuits are different from dry suits. There are even more sub-classifications, as it’s not the same to wear semi-dry suits as regular ones. They all work and keep divers warm when they dive but are better for different situations.
Here is a brief explanation of what each of them can do:
1. Dry Suits
Although wetsuits are made of neoprene, things are different when it comes to dry suits. As their name suggests, dry suits are meant to keep the diver completely dry when they dive. They do that by sealing out all the water.
Dry suits are often made of Gore-Tex or Nylon. They have seals around the neck, wrists, and ankles to keep water from getting inside the suit. These suits tend to use boots instead of kins, but they do have the classic globes most scuba gear packages include.
Apart from keeping water out of it, dry suits keep divers warm thanks to its thermal insulation layer. Everything depends on the dive suit you pick, as you will only stay warm if it’s the right thickness. Wearing a 4mm suit won’t help you if you are going to dive in cold water. Getting a 7mm suit for hot water may make you feel uncomfortable while diving.
The average thickness of a dry suit should be 5mm, but try to ask a professional which option is best for you before you put your money on anything. They can also make sure the dry suit or wetsuit package you pick has everything you need to dive safely.
2. Wetsuits
Wetsuits are more popular than dry suits, as they work in colder temperatures and are a bit more comfortable than them. Besides that, wetsuits use kins instead of diving boots, which makes it easier for you to move while underwater.
This type of scuba diving suit is made of neoprene. There are different types of this material, and each of them can alter the final price you may need to pay for it. The most common is standard neoprene, and the most expensive is Yamamoto neoprene, as it’s a premium material.
Neoprene is a type of synthetic rubber, and it’s water-resistant. Besides that, one of the main appeals of buying a wetsuit package is that it has enough insulation to create a layer of water that keeps you warm while diving.
Similar to dry suits, wetsuits need to be thicker to keep you warm in colder temperatures. The average thickness of wetsuits is 4mm, but you may need something more for something below 11C. Nonetheless, if your wet suit is too thick, it will be uncomfortable to wear it in hot water.
Which Option Is Better?
It’s difficult to tell which option is better, as they are fit for different situations, but it’s more common to see people go for a wetsuit package instead of a dry suit one. We recommend that you go for wetsuits as they are easier to get and there’s a wider range of prices.
People often get a wetsuit package if they scuba dive in a place with cold water. That’s not because dry suits can’t keep you warm but rather because wetsuits are better for the job. Consequently, dry suits are better for warmer areas.
Unlike dry alternatives, wetsuits can be worn in many ways. You can, for example, buy a wetsuit package with a short-sleeve option. Don’t go over your budget, as there are many affordable options when you look for scuba diving gear. You don’t need to spend a fortune to go scuba diving.
What Do I Need in a Scuba Diving Gear Package?
There are many things you can’t miss on scuba diving gear. Diving packages include several things. The most important one is the actual suit you will wear. It should have boots or fins, masks, gloves, a buoyancy control device, tanks, and a regulator.
There are other features that you may not need on a scuba diving package but that can make it an easier and more enjoyable experience. One of them is a dive computer, as it helps you track important information such as depth, time, and the decompression limits you need to face when you scuba dive.
Conclusion
Now that you understand how scuba diving gear works, it’s easier for you make a thorough research to get the best fit for you. If you don’t know anything about scuba diving, you may get the first option you see on the market and make a mistake along the way.
However, you can avoid that issue by looking for your diving suit with an expert. They can tell you what may work best for you or the things you should avoid. When you are at the store, ask the other person the thickness of the suit and try it on to see if you feel comfortable in it.
Our website has more blog posts related to scuba diving gear, so check our website to get more information about the matter.
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