Suitability of Compressed Neoprene Drysuits for Technical Diving

[BoltSnap]

@BurhanMuntasser if crushed/compressed/stabilized neoprene is unsuitable for technical diving, then we're doing something wrong in cave country as you see a LOT of those suits down there. I'd take a cave cut crushed neo suit like the Ri-2-100 from O3 before I'd take a bag suit for most warm water stuff unless I was travelling

That's why I was surprised and asked here after I heard what I heard from this instructor.

 

[BoltSnap]

Brittanic by Otter looks like one heck of a suit. I saw it in my local quarry and it is right on par with some of the high end models out there.

Do you know how it compares vs this suit? http://www.drysuits.co.uk/Otter_Atlantic_Drysuit_p/atla.htm

 

[Celt]

I used an 8mm northern diver drysuit to 70m with steel twin set ,weights and no bcd. It took a bit of getting used to the pocket of air at your shoulders and keeping it out of the legs. Once they started compressing the neoprene it virtually eliminated the buoyancy problem. You could take a modern neoprene suit to any depth.

 

[Graeme Fraser]

Do you know how it compares vs this suit? http://www.drysuits.co.uk/Otter_Atlantic_Drysuit_p/atla.htm

I'm on my second OThree and wouldn't have anything else. Current model is an Ri2-100 and I'm very happy with it. No noticeable buoyancy changes at depth, great thermal and solid as a rock. Even better is their customer services which is second none.

My first O3, I asked them to put a larger neck seal on. They politely suggested it was already the right size but I insisted. Low and behold, they were right and the new neck seal leaked. I humbly asked them to replace with original size, which they did. I fully expected to pay as it was 100% my cock up but they point blank refused to take my money. Customer satisfaction was far more important to them than a quick profit. Highly recommend!

 

[BoltSnap]

I'm on my second OThree and wouldn't have anything else. Current model is an Ri2-100 and I'm very happy with it. No noticeable buoyancy changes at depth, great thermal and solid as a rock. Even better is their customer services which is second none.

My first O3, I asked them to put a larger neck seal on. They politely suggested it was already the right size but I insisted. Low and behold, they were right and the new neck seal leaked. I humbly asked them to replace with original size, which they did. I fully expected to pay as it was 100% my cock up but they point blank refused to take my money. Customer satisfaction was far more important to them than a quick profit. Highly recommend!

Back zip?

I am talking with them about front self-donning zip with telescoping torso.

 

[TrimixToo]

Well, if compressed neoprene is unsuitable for technical diving, I've made plenty of excursions below 200' wearing the wrong kind of suit. I have two DUI CF200s. The come up used from time to time, and I paid only $450 for the first one. Yiou just can't go wrong for that price for a CF200 in good shape....I still dive that suit in addition to the one I bought new several years later.

They are warmer than trilam (good), they stretch (good), they are much harder to put holes in (very good!), they are heavier (not so good), and take much longer to dry (not so good).

All that said, this is, again, sports equipment. What works for me might not work for you. Your mileage may vary. Don't try this at home. May contain nuts. etc.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Do you know how it compares vs this suit? http://www.drysuits.co.uk/Otter_Atlantic_Drysuit_p/atla.htm

No idea. Never seen that one but if I was to get a shell suit it would be Otter and if I wast to get a neoprene then it would be Othree. I would go into the Othree shop for measurements in order to get a better fit.

 

[Graeme Fraser]

Back zip?

I am talking with them about front self-donning zip with telescoping torso.

Yes back zip. Haven't seen any front entry, but Othree do a fair bit of customisation so who knows.

 

[victorzamora]

If the Othree was cut that close then the thicker, denser material may compromise freedom of movement. It was stitched to be much looser, keeping in consideration that this was a thicker and denser material. This meant that I was always diving it with more air in my Othree than my present shell suit. The fit was never as good as my shell suit even though it was purchased as a custom suit.

Actually, the neoprene being stretchy should allow you to get a better/tighter fit without restricting movement. My wife and I each have an OThree Ri2-100 that are cut to fit nearly like wetsuits. The bag suits with stretchy material certainly help close the gap. The main advantage that neoprene suits have is the ability to get a tighter, more streamlined fit.

ETA: As noted below, crushed/compressed neoprene. Regular neoprene sucks.

 

[JohnnyC]

Crushed neoprene, great. Regular neoprene, sucks.