Scuba diving can offer a thrilling look at some of the world's most beautiful underwater plants and animals, but a certain amount of skills and knowledge are required to stay safe in a hobby that can put its participants in dangerous situations. Temperature regulation is necessary for scuba divers' safety, and dry suits offer divers the most warmth of any type of thermal-regulation suits.
Temperature Regulation
Suits are important no matter the temperature of the water in which you are diving. Normal body temperature is about 98.6 degrees, and if you are diving in water colder than this temperature, your body temperature will drop. Even in warm tropical waters, suits are necessary to protect you from your body dropping to dangerous levels.
Wet Suits
Dry suits are not typically necessary in warm, tropical waters, but they can offer added warmth and comfort. Wet suits, the most popular form of protection, will typically suffice in warm water. Wet suits are significantly cheaper than dry suits. After getting wet, a thin layer of water enters the wet suit. Your body then warms this water, and the now-warm water helps keep you warm.
Closed Environment
A dry suit offers the most thermal protection to divers, but it is also the most expensive. Unlike a wetsuit, which allows the entrance of water to regulate temperature, a dry suit creates a closed environment, preventing the access of any water. If diving in cold water, a dry suit is a necessity to keep you warm and safe.
Construction of Dry Suits
Dry suits can be made of neoprene, crushed neoprene, vulcanized rubber or heavy-duty nylon. Dry suits use waterproof zippers, seals and valves, so it's important to make sure they are working properly several days before your dive. Though dry suits are easier to put on than wet suits, they require more maintenance than wetsuits, and training is necessary in order to use them properly.
Cost of Dry Suits
Dry suits can be fairly expensive. The suit itself usually costs between $500 and $2,500, but often underwear is also necessary to keep you warm if diving in cold water. Depending on your needs, new thermal underwear for dry suits can cost between $100 to $1,500 in addition to the suit itself. Because dry suits are more complicated than wet suits and require a considerable amount of maintenance, hidden costs can added up when replacing leaking valves or broken zippers.
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