Friday, May 21, 2010

Are you looking out to buy a new wetsuit for a scuba diving vacation but don't know where to start? Before you drift dive into the coast of Florida or explore the underwater splendor of Fiji Islands, allow us to impart a few guidelines to help you select a matching wetsuit that would provide ultimate comfort and flexibility as you cruise the depths of your intended diving destination.

Shorty or Full Suit?

Shop through online retailers and surely you will learn that wetsuits don't come in a single style or design for that matter. Some are outfitted with sleeves while others are not.  A particular wetsuit may be designed to wrap around the entire body while another one would only conceal the torso, with the garment rising a little over the knees. It would save you time to buy whatever feels right as to price and preferences, but then common sense would dictate that wetsuits come in different forms and sizes for a reason. Common terms to encounter include jumpsuits, farmer johns and shorties though selection should be focused on the purchase of either shorties or a full suit.

If you plan to dive in warm water, particularly in tropical or subtropical locations, a sturdy piece of neoprene shorties will give ample protection and insulation.  Now if you're adventure should lead you to cold water locations and at thermocline depths at that, settle for a thick, full suit instead of shorties. Getting the entire body insulated from the chilly conditions of the depths is necessary to prevent hypothermia and provide utmost comfort to the diver as well. 

Thickness of the Material

Neoprene is a compressible garment that has become the standard material for wetsuits due to its ability  to respond efficiently to changes in pressure with a corresponding shift in volume or aid in the diver's neutral buoyancy. Warm water dives would require the neoprene wetsuit to carry a torso thickness of 2mm while for cold water dives, torso thickness should vary from 3mm to 5mm where its application is directly proportional to the drops in temperature of a particular dive spot.   

Be very particular with the size and fit

The one size fits all criteria does not apply to wetsuits. As much as possible, the garment should snuggly fit the diver's body since a poor fit around salient sections, such as the arms and around the thighs, allows more water to collect on these areas instead of a thin film, which compromises the material's ability to keep you warm.  

Overall Flexibility

The flexibility of movement underwater should be a primary consideration. If a thick wetsuit inhibits easy movement then it loses its utility no matter how efficient it may be in keeping the diver warm.  Check if the wetsuit [http://www.scubasuppliers.com/site/1408308/product/60.0321.XX] comes with a front zipper for easy donning and if the garment is outfitted with spandex panels which heighten its flexibility. 

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