A diving suit, also known as a wetsuit or drysuit, is a specialized garment worn by divers to protect them from the underwater environment’s cold temperatures and potential hazards. These suits provide thermal insulation and protect the diver’s body from cuts, scrapes, and stings from marine life.
Here are the main types of diving suits:
- Wetsuit: Wetsuits are made from neoprene, a synthetic rubber material. They are designed to trap a thin layer of water between the diver’s body and the suit, which the diver’s body heat warms up. This layer of warm water acts as insulation against the colder water outside the suit. Wetsuits come in different thicknesses, with thicker suits providing more insulation but also reducing flexibility.
- Drysuit: Drysuits are waterproof garments that keep the diver completely dry by sealing out water. Unlike wetsuits, drysuits do not allow water to come into contact with the diver’s skin. Instead, divers wear insulating undergarments beneath the drysuit to stay warm. Drysuits are typically made from materials like neoprene or breathable fabrics like Gore-Tex. They have seals at the neck, wrists, and ankles to prevent water from entering.
Diving suits are essential for divers who operate in cold water environments, as prolonged exposure to cold water can lead to hypothermia. In addition to providing thermal protection, diving suits also offer some level of abrasion resistance and protection against marine life, such as jellyfish stings and sharp coral.
Maintaining diving suits by rinsing them with fresh water after each use and storing them properly helps prolong their lifespan and effectiveness.
