Buying a wetsuit
Wetsuits are the most common thermal protection worn by divers. In water temperatures as low as 10 degrees and within the usual depth and time limits, they perform well.
Their advantages are:
Unlike dry-suits, which offer protection at lower temperatures, wetsuits do not need to be equalised with compressed air to prevent suit squeeze
Minor punctures or tears are easily fixed and are not usually severe enough to stop a day's diving
Wetsuits cost less to buy and maintain than dry-suit systems.
However, they perform less well than dry-suits as water temperature decreases and depth increases, as dive times are extended, or repeat dives are made.
Three factors should determine your choice of wetsuit:
Planned maximum depth
Anticipated water temperature (it is usually cooler, the deeper you dive)
Work rate - eg instructors who remain stationary while teaching entry-level courses will often need a thicker wetsuit than a holiday diver.
It is just as important to avoid overheating before and after a dive as it is to avoid getting cold during the dive. Dehydration is known to increase the body's disposition to decompression sickness, as it significantly affects a diver's ability to reduce bubble formation - and hot divers get dehydrated fast - so check your wetsuit in relation to the rest of your gear and how easy it is to pull on and off other support clothing.
When buying a wetsuit, a diver must not only consider the correct choice for the environment in which he or she will most regularly dive, but also its comfort and fit and its relationship to other equipment. An uncomfortable wetsuit can, for example, draw a diver's attention away from more important matters such as monitoring the dive time and depth.
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