DrySuit Question

[Rick Inman]

I believe the DC sizing video explains how to measure for the undergarment (your LDS should follow the video). So, you get the undergarment first, then follow the video instructions to measure for the drysuit. The most important thing is to do a good accurate measurement. Measure twice.

 

[Firediver32]

I wear a regular pair of polypro/wool long underwear and a set of fleece pants I got from Cabelas for $19 and a fleece jacket and I stay pretty warm. I have used this in water down to low 40's. If I were doing decompression dives, i think I'd need to upgrade my insulation however.

 

[craborn]

Yes we got the video in today. I am going to order the undergarment and then measure. I am so excited about getting a drysuit. I want to be able to do a deep dive and be warm....

 

[mmadiver]

I dive a viking sport and wear a DUI Thinsulate. We did 9 dives this weekend to a depth of 45-85 fsw with a temperature of 35-40. I was comfortable, while others were freezing. You can't go wrong with a store bought insulation. However, you can save some money if you buy a bunch of fleece from walmart, but there's no guarentee if it will keep you warm enough.

Dry gloves are an excellent investment also. If you see a bottle of pure talc while your at walmart pick that up too.

 

[craborn]

Thanks mmadiver... My mother and wife can make anything on the sewing machine. I may buy one undergarment then have them make me a spare. I hate to show my stupidness but what is pure talc??? THanks, Clay

 

[dbulmer]

Clay,

Pure Talc = non perfumed talc. Perfumed talcs can degrade latex.

You use talc to protect latex seals and some people also use talc to make it easier to pass their hands/neck through latex seal. An alternative (a better one in my opinion only) for getting the suit on is to use KY Jelly to lube the seals - it's easier and not quite as messy. (a diver needs to be careful passing hands/head through latex since they can be damaged through finger nails and rough handling etc)

 

[craborn]

oh ok thanks a lot.... I am learning slowly..... It is amazing to me that everytime you think you know a lot about diving you learn more. Thanks for the advice... Clay

 

[jbisjim]

I use Viking thermals pretty much all year round, With my Viking sport. The inland lake I dive is spring fed and is cold all the time and Lake Michigan stays cool at depth. I will add a pair of Poly something or other long johns on the top and bottom for the really cold dives. I also wear the viking booties and my toes stay nice and toasty.

Now that i have my leak fixed I should stay even warmer.

 

[Thalassamania]

That's not exactly true, a crushed neoprene suit gives the same thermal properties throughout the dive. An uncrushed neoprene suit will compress at depth and expose you to cooler temps.

As you said, that's not exactly true<G>. Crushed, laminate and vulcanized suits have no inherent insulative properties so they are totally depended upon underwear and gas trapped in the suit for insulation. As you descend you add gas to the suit and that keeps both buoyancy and thermal characterizes constant

Uncrushed neoprene (and please understand that there is a HUGE difference between the neoprene many suit manufacturers use and quality Rubatex in terms of compression) will crush with depth, but not 1/2 at 33 foot, 1/4 at 99 ft, etc. As is does, you must introduce gas into the suit to maintain neutral buoyancy, just as with a membrane suit, and that keeps the insulation about the same.

Which is best? I don't really know. I've had Unisuits, Jetsuits, Vikings, DUIs, and a Polaris (Rubatex suit from a small Santa Cruz custom house) over the years. I currently have the Polaris which I prefer for shore diving, a Viking for polluted water (nothing else can really be disinfected) and a DUI that is a joy for boat diving. I use an old set of Unisuit woolies under the Polaris and a ripstop/holowfill/synthetic pile (the blue and gray stuff) set of Viking underwear under the Viking and DUI.