Wet Suits and Dry Suits for SCUBA Diving

When you dive the warm clear water of the Caribbean you will see all types of diving apparel from swim suit and tee shirt to full wet suits.

If the water is above eighty degrees many people will feel comfortable without a wet suit. Often a rash guard (nylon shirt or shorts) or skin (nylon full body suit) is worn as protection against stinging creatures such as jelly fish or fire coral. These suits also offer some protection against scrape injuries from coral, rocks or shipwrecks. The skin can also be used below a full wet suit to help the tight wet suit slide on.

If more warmth is desired a 3 mil (3 millimeters thick) shorty (short sleeves and legs)or 3 mil wet suit can be worn.

Reef gloves or light weight gloves are often worn to protect against cuts from anchor line and decent lines that can be crusted with barnacles. Some destinations will not permit gloves to prevent divers from touching and damaging reefs.

Hoods can also be worn as most heat is lost through the head. These hoods can be as simple as a thin nylon cap to thicker neoprene hoods.

Cold water is a relative term but generally water is considered cold below 80 degrees. Below 70 degrees you begin to need more insulation for even short dives. Wet suits come in three thicknesses although the exact thickness may vary by manufacturer.

3 mil thick suits are used in warmer water. 5 mil is used in colder water and 7 mil offers the best insulation for water between 70 and 50 degrees.

The old standby two piece standard neoprene wet suit is becoming a think of the past. Nearly all wet suits sold today are one piece.

The more top of the line suits will be more flexible and will have double stitched and glued outer seams and single stitched inner seams. ScubaPro calls their most flexible Everflex. The one piece and tighter fit reduces the transfer of water and are therefore warmer than the older suits.

The more flexible suits are more compressible so in deep cold water you will likely prefer a dry suit.

Dry suits are best for cold water and particularly for water below 50 degrees. There are two basic styles; neoprene and shells.

The neoprene style is its own insulation just like a wet suit. The material also looks very similar to a wet suit.

The shell suits are made of high strength vulcanized rubber or nylon and rubber in bonded layers. These suits are made of thin material that offers no insulation so the insulation must be worn as insulated underwear. The advantage of the shell is you can vary the thickness of the underwear in different temperatures.

All dry suits will have a hose connection so that air can be added to the suit.

Both types of suits have a waterproof zipper and neck and wrist seals to keep the diver dry. Dry gloves can be added for added comfort. Most dry suits have rear zippers but recently several have been introduced to the market that have a front zipper to make them self donning - you do not need a buddy to zip you up.