DrySuits

[NAM001]

I use a tls-350. Never leaked however I don't use it a lot with a 100g undergarment i use 19# to comp for it. 300g needs 38#. I am 6" 250#.

 

[Byrdie]

I used a neoprene Poseidon for the last 8 years or so. Overall I like it quite a bit. Occasional small leaks from the wrist seals which I am sure need replacing

 

[Remy B.]

What is normally the average time you can stay down with a dry suit at 32*F water or does it depend on the amount of argon you carry ?

 

[Michael Guerrero]

I'd say it mostly depends on your undergarments and cold tolerance.

 

[JohnnyC]

What is normally the average time you can stay down with a dry suit at 32*F water or does it depend on the amount of argon you carry ?

Depends on your undergarments.

As for argon, at Rebreather Forum 3.0, they had data showing it took 6 full inflations/purges (with pure argon) to actually purge the suit of all the air completely. The point being, carrying argon doesn't actually make a difference as you'd need so much to replace the air in the suit that it isn't worth it. Other variables would have a far larger impact.

https://youtu.be/5LOD5keSul4?t=31m54s

 

[aaen]

Many of us have done close to 3 hr run times with a scooter in Alberta lakes in drysuit with no heated undergarments although we have since augmented our gear to have heated vests. Water temps were mid 30's. It was not a warm dive hence why we got heated vests.

Suits we used were clx 450's, diving concepts, cf 200. The undergarments were standard 400g DUI/4th element Arctic.


Regards

Steve

 

[KevinNM]

The point being, carrying argon doesn't actually make a difference as you'd need so much to replace the air in the suit that it isn't worth it.

One of the GUE tech instructors mentioned to me that they would bring an AL80 of argon before big dives and use that to fully purge the suits of everyone in the team.

 

[karstdvr]

For the divers with a lot of dives on their drysuit what is the brand that you had used that had stand to the abuse and still keep you dry.

Even though I have owned 8 different manufacturers of drysuits, this is a question I ask when I am considering a replacement suit. One of the best sources of information is from someone that works on these suits for a living. That person sees all types of suits, and can quite simply tell you what he suits he sees the most, and what is their inherent weakness. Try gamblescuba.com, because the information he shares may result in a customer in the future.

 

[JohnnyC]

One of the GUE tech instructors mentioned to me that they would bring an AL80 of argon before big dives and use that to fully purge the suits of everyone in the team.

Interesting. I wonder how far an AL80 goes. 6 time fill/purge is a LOT of gas. And that 16-20% improvement only applies if you replace all the air. They don't expound on how different percentages of air/argon improve insulation. Seems like a lot of money and gas wasted for very little benefit unless you're doing a 24 hour dive.

After watching all of the RF3.0 videos, I'm come to the conclusion that when I will be diving in cold water, I'll grab a heated vest system, do the dive with just enough insulation to keep me above my "cold" threshold, and kick it on for deco. Cold/warm profile being much much better for decompression dives.

As far as the durable but still dry, there really is no solid answer because it's predicated by your budget, and your diving habits. You could get a kevlar suit, pay a boatload of money, but taking to the Caribbean to dive a shallow reef probably isn't the best idea, both in required protection, as well as checked baggage fees! On the other hand, a super light travel membrane suit might not be the best idea in a cave. You can buy a rubber dry suit that will stand up to anything, but it won't be comfortable, will be heavy, and will be expensive, but you can dive in raw sewage. It's all a trade-off.

As mentioned, call Steve Gamble, or call Mike Pederson at DRIS, let them know what type of diving you're doing, and they'll be able to steer you in the right direction.

 

[KevinNM]

Interesting. I wonder how far an AL80 goes. 6 time fill/purge is a LOT of gas. And that 16-20% improvement only applies if you replace all the air. They don't expound on how different percentages of air/argon improve insulation. Seems like a lot of money and gas wasted for very little benefit unless you're doing a 24 hour dive.

The typical argon bottle seems to be 6cf, an AL80 would be a lot more. And if you are doing open circuit to 200+ feet the cost of filling an AL80 with argon would be minor compared to your helium bill. I neither do those dives or use argon myself, so I don't know personally how effective it is.