Any downsides to diving dry?

[SeaHorse81]

I'm tired of getting hypothermic and am seriously considering going dry. My research on older SB threads suggests that many people put off the conversion to dry for as long as possible, but they generally seem really happy about it once they've done it. Being warm is a beautiful thing.

So, I'm wondering, any stories or experiences about going to a dry suit that are not so happy?

 

[mulla]

I've only received my drysuit last month and had about 6 dives or so in it. I guess my experience is also a positive one, it allowed me to do what I enjoy most during the Winter months as well. I'm someone that gets cold easily and I freeze in 17C water in a 5mm + 5mm hodded vest + lavacore, I didn't think I could add anymore layers

The only thing is, it takes a while getting used to diving in a drysuit. Also gearing up / taking it off again is a bit of a pain as well, probably because I'm not used to it. Extra maintenance on zip and seals, not sure if your p-valve is working when you use it for the first time... but I suppose it's all worth it as long as you enjoy the dive!

The only negative I could think of is my wallet wasn't too happy about it!

 

[soltari675]

I think the negatives are the price and the excess weight you have to add. But for divers who like to dive all year and don't live in the tropics, it's well worth the investment. I am getting mine this coming January.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I wear the same weight dry vs. wet. The main disadvantage, beside price is that drysuits are just a theory.
There will be dives when the seals aren't snug enough, the zipper wasn't closed all the way or you find yet another hole in the suit. Flooded drysuits are a big inconvenience, but it still beats shivering in a wetsuit. I got my first drysuit after more than 800 dives in a wetsuit in SoCal. I don't plan to dive wet again.

 

[JBRES1]

Hi , my name is Jim and I have been dry for 4 years now. Oh wrong board, sorry.

I dive mostly dry all year long, but did a few wet dives this year just to show I am not a warn water wimp.
I find diving in a wet suit easier than in a dry suit. I wear just about the same amount of lead for wet or dry.
Diving wet has fewer things to think about with respect to trim and moving the air bubble inside the baggie we call a drysuit.
The big thing for me is the staying warm and dry in the cold midwest waters.
I can't go back to wet suit diving , I am now spoiled.

Thanks, Jim

 

[fdog]

The biggest issue is cost. A minor issue occasionally is getting darn hot in the suit while waiting to get in the water.

The upsides - besides warmth - my trim and buoyancy are soooo much better in a drysuit. I feel crippled in a wetsuit.


All the best, James

 

[Drowning]

Actually there are a couple of issues to consider when dry diving.

First, there is the cost...a good dry suit and undergarments is expensive. There are some good deals out there though if you are willing to look around.

Second, you may find that there is some additional task loading because you have to manage the air in the dry suit. Fortunately with enough experience this becomes fairly easy, but when you first start dry diving you may find it more difficult.

Third, there are some safety concerns such as the risk of uncontrolled ascents. A dry suit course or a good mentor is a really good idea.

Fourth, Dry suits may require more maintenance than a wet suit. There are two valves as well as the neck and arm seals that require periodic service and even a small puncture can turn a dry suit into a damp suit.

Fifth, I have found that I usually have to carry more weight in a dry suit and that I am less streamlined. This makes swimming a lot more work.

I have personally found that a dry suit is worth dealing with the draw backs in colder climates because it extends my diving season with out requiring me to travel to a tropical destination (in that way, it actually saves me money) and it is much more comfortable in cold water, especially on long and/or deep dives.

If you live in Pennsylvania you should visit Dutch Springs when one of the local dive shops is doing a dry suit demo. I know Indian Valley Scuba (Indian Valley Scuba - deliberately different - by design!) is there quite often and they will not only let you demo different dry suits, but if you need them to they can even hook you up with a buddy experienced in Dry Suit diving. Best of all it is free and you can find out if you want to get yourself a dry suit and which dry suit works best for you.

 

[craracer]

Just about everything has been covered but I don't think that this has been mentioned: When you are donning the suit on a blazing hot day, it's three times as hot inside the suit. Combine that with a neck seal that might be a bit on the tight side, and you'll swear that you're going to stroke out.

We've all looked at our partners.....sweat dripping from their brows.....beet red faces.....jugular veins and the vein in their foreheads about to explode.

You'd never believe how good it feels to get into 4C water, and I would never go back to wet cold water diving!

 

[vladimir]

As I understand it (I wear a wetsuit), men have to glue a condom on to enable urination. Or hold it. Or wear a diaper. Those sound like downsides to me, but I'm a tropical diver, so it's not even an issue. My drysuit-wearing female dive buddy would just unzip post-dive--sometimes a bit frantically.

 

[lowviz]

Downsides, more things to attend to:
Increased drag, expense, maintaining seals and zipper, sock/boot feet vs fins, requires higher awareness of runaway buoyancy, need for a P-valve

Upsides, comfort:
Warm, backup inflation, P-valve.