| Dry suits are the key to diver comfort in cold | | | | warmest. |
| waters and extreme situations, so when choosing | | | | Another advantage to neoprene is that it's less |
| one, you'll want to research the different options | | | | susceptible to rips or tears and will maintain |
| before you get to the dive shop. | | | | functionality and buoyancy if a rip were to occur, |
| The last thing you want is to walk away with a | | | | making it perfect for those cold water wreck or |
| $3,000 suit you'll never use or a membrane suit | | | | cave diving expeditions. |
| that will leave you trapped underwater and | | | | Membrane shelled suits are generally the most |
| freezing. | | | | comfortable -- made of thinner nylon or |
| Wet suits are great for warmer water dives | | | | vulcanized rubber material, waterproof and |
| because the neoprene material allows water in | | | | breathable -- and are recommended for divers |
| and traps it against the body, which then heats up | | | | who will spend a lot of time out of the water on |
| to your temperature and insulates the body. The | | | | the boat. |
| general rule of thumb for wet suits is: the tighter | | | | Because the material is thinner, divers will need to |
| the fit, the better. | | | | wear an under layer made of polyester or |
| Otherwise water will just keep entering and | | | | another tight-fitting material. The latest models |
| exiting the suit, without time to heat up against | | | | are hybrids with a rigid, overall-style neoprene |
| your body. You can choose from 2 - 9mm | | | | bottom that supports proper kicking and a |
| thicknesses and from shorts or full-length styles. | | | | looser-fitting membrane top to allow easy arm |
| Shipwreck or cave divers are best off purchasing | | | | maneuverability. |
| full-length diving suits with toughtex neoprene, | | | | Your local scuba dive shop will be able to assist |
| which provides an extra layer that's snag-proof. | | | | you in purchasing dry suits. If you're shocked at |
| You'll want your suit to hold up in the tightest | | | | the $1500 - $3000 price tag and don't foresee |
| squeezes and off the sharpest coral. | | | | yourself ever diving enough to warrant that kind |
| However, for diving in water less than 60 degrees | | | | of investment, then you'll be happy to know most |
| Fahrenheit, dry suits are the only sensible choice. | | | | places will rent them to you for around $40-$50 |
| Dry suits can be made out of several different | | | | per day. |
| kinds of material: neoprene, membrane or a | | | | Sometimes you can even find weekly specials or |
| hybrid of the two. Neoprene is made out of | | | | package deals at popular scuba diving vacation |
| synthetic rubber and is the most rigid type of suit | | | | destinations. |
| and though difficult to get on, will keep you the | | | | |