Your diving suits impact your scuba experience a lot. It is important that you pick your suit accordingly. Do you need a wetsuit to scuba dive?
Yes, you can wear a wetsuit to scuba dive. However, a wetsuit won’t work for deep scuba diving. Wetsuits are ideal for slightly cold to slightly warm underwater surroundings. However, drysuits are essential for very cold water environments, as they prevent water from extracting heat away from our bodies and help us stay warm for long periods of time.
You are advised to prioritize a drysuit if you are going to be diving in waters under 15 degrees Celsius to keep yourself warm. However, wetsuits will be fine for milder water temperatures around 50 degrees.
What Are Wetsuits Made Of?
Wetsuits allow you better agility underwater, which is required for scuba diving. They are made up of flexible and stretchy material. What is it?
Wetsuits are made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer it keeps you. They confine a thin layer of water between your skin and the neoprene. So, you’re always wet. That is why it is known as a wetsuit.
Your body heat insulates you by keeping the layer of trapped water warm and keeps you protected.
Can You Scuba Dive Without A Wetsuit?
Wetsuits can be a hassle to get into, so the important question is, are they really worth all the effort?
If you usually dive fully equipped, without a wetsuit, your positive buoyancy from neoprene must be compensated for. Otherwise, you can’t properly swim without a wetsuit.
You will have to take the weight off your belt. Otherwise, you will be overweight. Not doing so will make it harder for you to maintain neutral buoyancy. Without a wetsuit, you’re at risk of getting cut, or scrapped by underwater creatures or surfaces.
Do Divers Wear Wetsuits?
Suppose you’re taking a quick swim at Laguna Beach under a scorching sun. You might be less likely to wear a wetsuit because you might like the feel of getting tanned and swimming in water. Is it the case for deep sea diving such as scuba diving?
Swimmers, surfers, and divers frequently wear wetsuits to swim in cold water.
Wetsuits insulate the swimmers or help them retain body heat. This, in turn, helps the swimmers avoid hypothermia, a dangerously low body temperature.
Is A Dry Suit Better Than A Wetsuit?
If you’ve not guessed the difference between dry suits and wetsuits, we are here to make it easier for you. The following answer will help you make the perfect decision.
A dry suit is an ideal option if you prefer waterproof gear, if you don’t want freezing water on your skin, and don’t mind restrictive/body-fitted clothing.
In freezing conditions, dry suits are preferred because wetsuits restrict body movements due to decreasing temperatures.
Conclusion
The choice of wearing a wet or dry suit depends on underwater conditions, such as the water temperature, depth, and length of dive. A wetsuit insulates you and prevents scratches and nicks from rocks and coral reefs. They can protect you from jellyfish stings. Other options include a drysuit or a swimsuit.
