DIR and Drysuits

[divenut2001]

I bought my first drysuit last year, a custom DUI CLX 450. I understand that DIR divers prefer a cave cut style drysuit. What is the difference (advantage) and can I get mine altered or do I have to get another drysuit all together? Thanks.

 

[Scubaroo]

What's wrong with your current custom drysuit??? Cave cut drysuits are optimised for scootering anyway AFAIK.

 

[Boogie711]

Cave cut is just a tighter fit. DIR simply calls for a shell (non-neoprene) drysuit that fits properly. If you take DIR-Fundamentals, your instructor will walk you through what fits and what doesn't, and why.

 

[divenut2001]

What's wrong with your current custom drysuit??? Cave cut drysuits are optimised for scootering anyway AFAIK.

There's nothing wrong with it, it fits great. I was just curious about the difference between a cave cut and the way they make them for everybody else.

 

[divenut2001]

Cave cut is just a tighter fit. DIR simply calls for a shell (non-neoprene) drysuit that fits properly. If you take DIR-Fundamentals, your instructor will walk you through what fits and what doesn't, and why.

Thanks! My suit fits prety good, I don't think it can get any snugger but I'm interested in what an instructor would have to say. There's a class coming up but the diving part of it is on Memorial Day weekend which I already have plans to dive the Channel Islands off a liveaboard so I'll have to wait for the next one.

 

[divenut2001]

Cave cut is just a tighter fit. DIR simply calls for a shell (non-neoprene) drysuit that fits properly. If you take DIR-Fundamentals, your instructor will walk you through what fits and what doesn't, and why.

OK I have another question. When diving in a dry suit do DIR divers use their suits to control buoyancy (as Padi teaches) or do they use just enough air to take off the squeeze and maintain buoyancy and trim by adding air to your wings?

 

[jonnythan]

http://baue.org/faq/dynamic_instability.html

 

[divenut2001]

http://baue.org/faq/dynamic_instability.html

Excuse me?????

 

[Scubaroo]

BAUE is a DIR group in California. Read the last paragraph of the linked article for a definitive answer (the article is a full explanation to your question).

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Cave cut is just a tighter fit. DIR simply calls for a shell (non-neoprene) drysuit that fits properly.

Hmmm ... learn something new every day.

A pity ... 'cuz I was planning to use my XCD2 Tech suit for DIR-F ... my "custom" shell suit is cut poorly in the shoulders and isn't suitable for diving doubles (too tight to let me reach my valves).

So ... why does DIR exclude suits like the XCD2 and CF200?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)