The Advantages Of A Wet Suit

Whether surfing, scuba diving or any water activity, the advantages of wearing a wetsuit are plenty. According to the book "The Encyclopedia of Surfing," wetsuits came around in the 1950s as a means to help protect and insulate surfers and divers. They also provide buoyancy based on their neoprene-foam construction. Different types are made for different weather conditions and range from 2 mm thickness to 8 mm. Some have full sleeves and pants while others feature short sleeves and shorts.

Insulation

Scientifically, water conducts heat away from the body 25 times faster than air, making water-sport enthusiasts more susceptible to hypothermia. Wetsuits are composed of foam neoprene, a material which contains small bubbles of nitrogen gas when made. Nitrogen prevents this quick heat conduction and still allows the wetsuit to be thin so surfers and divers can move freely. Wetsuits are designed to fit tightly, which prevents water from making skin-contact and pulling heat away from the body.

Protection

Surfers, divers and anyone in open water encounter constantly changing weather conditions but also need to accommodate for the elaborate environmental characteristics of their location. Though thin to allow flexibility, wetsuits are made from neoprene, which is a durable material. Its rubber-like construction makes it tough to tear and protects the wearer from cuts and gashes which could come from hitting rocks or reefs in the water.

Buoyancy

Wetsuits provide the wearer with a natural buoyancy compared to not wearing one. In this way, wetsuits almost act as life vests without the bulkiness and constriction. Neoprene traps air in cells, which in turn stores this air as bubbles between the materials. These bubbles make the wetsuit buoyant and allow the wearer to stay closer to the surface.