The human body tends to lose heat in cold water. Scuba divers need wetsuits to retain body heat and be warm and comfortable when diving. A wetsuit is also necessary to protect from underwater stings and scrapes caused by aquatic materials. However, it should allow you to move through the depths smoothly, whether new or seasoned, for this water adventure.
It is an integral part of your preparation. With this, your safety and satisfaction will be possible to establish. Hence, choose a wetsuit that fits you well and makes you comfortable. When you wear a wetsuit, the neoprene layer provides insulation to support your body temperature, preventing shivering and other harmful effects of being cold.
How do you select this critical piece of scuba diving equipment? Multiple factors contribute to the proper selection. Let’s explore them one by one.
Wearer’s Experience with Fitting
A properly fit wetsuit will feel like a second skin. Wetsuits retain water between the suit and your body to keep it warm in the depths. If you wear a bigger size, its thermal capability will be hampered due to too much water inside. Likewise, a tight suit can impact your fluidity and range of movement.
It will also create excess pressure on the material, reducing its lifespan. Neoprene is the most common and versatile material. High-quality wetsuits are made of this because of its efficient thermal insulation properties. Its flexibility allows divers to enjoy water sports. Neoprene is durable as it can tolerate sunlight, saltwater, and other environmental conditions. With proper care, the material can last longer.
Divers also rely on it for its softness, which keeps their skin safe. People with sensitive skin benefit more from its hypoallergenic character. However, proper fit is the ultimate. It should be snug and let you twist and turn your body and its different parts comfortably.
The closures at ankles, wrists, and neck should be comfortable fit and not too tight. The wetsuit should cover your body to arms and ankles, with seals lying flat against the skin. How do you determine the perfect fit?
No gaps or pockets should form anywhere in the wetsuit. A little pressure with a snug fitting can indicate the desired comfortable experience. Look for these factors:
- Ankle, wrist, and neck seals should be comfortable, not painful or tight.
- A full-body wetsuit must conveniently reach your ankles and wrists.
- Check for the crotches.
- The wetsuit should take a little time to fit your body. An easily sliding wetsuit should be avoided.
Thermal Protection
A wetsuit’s thermal capacity is crucial because diving in the tropics and cooler climates differs. For example, you don’t need a 7mm wetsuit for tropical waters, and a 3mm wetsuit will not be helpful in cold waters. If you plan to dive in water between 23 to 29 C or 75 to 85 F, the thickness of a neoprene wetsuit can be 1 to 3 mm.
Moderate waters at 18 to 23 C or 65 to 75 F temperatures may need you to wear a 5 mm full suit. You can benefit from a 7-mm full wetsuit by trying waters at 50 to 65 F or 10 to 18 C temperatures. It may also work for a short dive in temperatures of 4 to 10 C or 40 to 50 F.
Additional factors worth considering include the wetsuit’s zip and seal quality, buoyancy, and weight. So, assess your choice from every direction.
