Drysuit Diver
Feel the cold?
Drysuits as a specialist piece of equipment ensure that you are surrounded by a bubble of air and some thick fleecy underclothes inside a waterproof suit keeping you warm and dry.
How does a Drysuit work?
A drysuit is looser fitting and uses air to insulate instead of water, which reduces heat loss more than a wetsuit. With the addition of thermal clothing, you’ll feel warmer during dives.
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How do dry suits keep you dry? Generally made from waterproof neoprene or trilaminate material (membrane), a drysuit keeps water out with wrist and neck seals, a waterproof zipper, and integrated drysuit boots or socks. Built-in valves let you add or remove air while diving.
What are the differences between a wetsuit and a dry suit?
The main difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit is their suitability in warm or cold water. Depending on thickness and personal tolerance, wetsuits are popular across tropical and temperate destinations. However, chillier temperatures below 10ºC demand the added protection and warmth of a dry suit. In fact, they’re mandatory in ice diving hotspots, like Silfra!
What to wear under a dry suit or wetsuit
A drysuit’s warmth depends on undergarments, and divers can flex their choice of clothing to suit the temperature. Bring out the extreme thermals for winter ice diving, or opt for a thin base layer during summer. On the other hand, wetsuits don’t have space for additional insulation beyond a rash vest. For this reason, dry suits can adapt to a wider range of climates and seasons.
Is Drysuit diving difficult?
Ultimately, No!
A wetsuit is simpler to put on, adjust your weighting to compensate for the thickness of the neoprene and go on your dive — but you need extra skills to use a dry suit safely. Like your BCD, mask, lungs, or any other air space, the air inside a dry suit compresses or expands as you change depth.
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Learning how to counter these effects is key to maintaining your buoyancy and comfort. All of our staff typically dive in drysuits, it allows us to dive comfortably all year round!
Drysuit Diving
Diving in a drysuit is pretty crucial to diving in the UK all year round, summer months can see water temperatures rising to the point where wetsuit diving is achievable, with water temperatures as low as 3degrees though if you're not Drysuit then you're missing out!
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If you're already a qualified diver then the Drysuit course takes place during one pool session and two open water dives meaning it can be done in a week! Once qualified you'll receive a globally recognised qualification and be able to hire Drysuits from dive centres all over the world.