Happy Holidays and a question (Of Course)

[Soggy]

I dive dry year round. It's always funny seeing the wetsuit divers come out of the water shivering in August after 20 minutes on the Poling when I can't wait to get out of the suit because I've started to overheat as soon as I get on the surface.

I can also get in and out of my suit quicker than most people in their two-piece 7mm wetsuit and be in shorts in a t-shirt for the SI in August. There isn't really any additional hassle involved.

It is always good to gain some experience diving with a wetsuit before venturing into the drysuit scene. Drysuit diving is simply more demanding. Also consider enrolling in a drysuit specialty class.

I disagree with this. While there is a small amount of additional taskloading, I took my open water class in a drysuit. It's not *that* difficult and now I personally find trim and buoyancy diving dry far easier than in a wetsuit.

If you do decide to go dry, I agree on taking a class, but also spend some time diving with an experienced drysuit diver and doing some reading here. A lot of what the classes teach you is complete BS, like using the drysuit as a buoyancy device. It's a suit, not a BC

Stay away from neoprene drysuits. They are inexpensive, but are also bulky, dry slowly, and the insulation varies with depth. Trilam with a good undergarment is the way to go. My Bare ATR-HD is bulletproof...I had a real hard time a hole in it when I wanted to add a grommet in the pocket!

 

[LobstaMan]

Hey, it's a nice pic no matter where you took it. You could have made up a great story, though, and I would have believed it! lol! Good luck in finding a lobsta that size in the ocean!

LobstaMan

 

[matt_unique]

I dove for years with a Seaquest Contour 7 custom fitted suit with a second 7mm layer farmer john with integrated hood. This cost me $450 about 5 years ago. Once you dive dry - you will never go back! The first time I dove dry the first thing I thought was "oh my God why did I ever dive wet?!?!?" If there is any way in the world you can spring for a dry suit do it. I guarantee you will regret spending money on a wetsuit once you try a drysuit around here. Even in the middle of summer a dive below 70 feet will have temps in the low 50's. You are safer and more comfortable diving dry.

You can get a good O'Neill neoprene drysuit for $750. I bought mine at Inland Divers in Leicester Mass. (I may be mistaken about the name of the shop but it is the only shop in Leicester Mass). They have the best prices on gear I have found in Mass. Don't waste $400 on a wetsuit when you can get a drysuit for $750. Even with gloves and hood and hot water you will be cold after 20 minutes in 38 degree water.

Definitely take a drysuit class. The instructor will help you determine the best way to trim your weights and such. I had buoyancy difficulties when I first dove with my drysuit in the pool. My instructor then had me throw on 2.5 pound ankle weights and it was perfect! No buoyancy problems.

There is a great long debate about how to use a drysuit. The consensus from reading many many opinions is - as it is with most aspects of diving - do what works best for you. I personally use my drysuit for buoyancy unless I have weight or depth such as with a technical dive that requires more lift than I can comfortably manage with just my drysuit. In this instance I will use my BC for some lift and manage the rest with my drysuit.

--Matt