Is a wetsuits just a wetsuit and are all wetsuits made the same? Can you use a wetsuit that is meant for diving when you go swimming, surfing, windsurfing etc...? To some point you can, wetsuit is designed to keep you warm no matter for what sport it was originally meant. But on the other and wearing a wrong wetsuit can be limiting.
What are the basic requirements of a wet suit? It should fit you snugly and keep you warm. Some are thinner, some thicker, some are lighter and some heavier. The most important thing when choosing a wetsuit is the area where the wet suit will be used. Are you going to be scuba diving in Tahiti or snorkeling in the Seychelles? Alternatively, you could be deep sea diving around Northern Europe, in much colder waters.
The main thing that makes wetsuits work and that keeps us warm is neoprene. Wetsuits are made out of rubbery material called neoprene that contains lots and lots of tinny little bubbles. These bubbles give the neoprene superb insulation capabilities. When you enter the water in your wetsuit another thing happens - a thin layer of water comes between you and your wetsuit and is heated by your body heat. So you are safe in a warm environment.
So how thick wetsuit do you need greatly depends on the water temperature. And water temperature depends on the location and time - where and when are you going to use your wetsuit. Another thing to consider is also your sex. Wetsuits for women are a bit different that wetsuits for men.
Since women have more surface area than men, they tend to feel colder, faster. Hence, it is more practical for a woman to wear a comparatively warmer suit than a man diving in the same area. Ideally, you need to buy a wet suit which is a bit warmer than you require. This is based on the premise that if you are being kept too warm by your wet suit, you can let some water in to cool you down. However, if you feel cold while diving, you dont have much choice but to get out of the water.
The other thing to keep in mind is that a two-piece wet suit is likely to keep you warmer than a one-piece wet suit. The two-piece wet suit has the benefit of double insulation around the groin and chest areas. However, double the insulation also leads to greater restriction in movement and greater buoyancy, which would require you to carry more lead, than you would have to in a one-piece suit of similar thickness.
Now that we have covered the thickness of your wetsuit in relation to the water temperature you need to focus on the fit. Wetsuit needs to fit you, if it is to big, it will fill with water and loose much of its insulation capabilities. Only the right thickness and the right fit will keep you warm and let you dive without the fear of cold. - 22873
What are the basic requirements of a wet suit? It should fit you snugly and keep you warm. Some are thinner, some thicker, some are lighter and some heavier. The most important thing when choosing a wetsuit is the area where the wet suit will be used. Are you going to be scuba diving in Tahiti or snorkeling in the Seychelles? Alternatively, you could be deep sea diving around Northern Europe, in much colder waters.
The main thing that makes wetsuits work and that keeps us warm is neoprene. Wetsuits are made out of rubbery material called neoprene that contains lots and lots of tinny little bubbles. These bubbles give the neoprene superb insulation capabilities. When you enter the water in your wetsuit another thing happens - a thin layer of water comes between you and your wetsuit and is heated by your body heat. So you are safe in a warm environment.
So how thick wetsuit do you need greatly depends on the water temperature. And water temperature depends on the location and time - where and when are you going to use your wetsuit. Another thing to consider is also your sex. Wetsuits for women are a bit different that wetsuits for men.
Since women have more surface area than men, they tend to feel colder, faster. Hence, it is more practical for a woman to wear a comparatively warmer suit than a man diving in the same area. Ideally, you need to buy a wet suit which is a bit warmer than you require. This is based on the premise that if you are being kept too warm by your wet suit, you can let some water in to cool you down. However, if you feel cold while diving, you dont have much choice but to get out of the water.
The other thing to keep in mind is that a two-piece wet suit is likely to keep you warmer than a one-piece wet suit. The two-piece wet suit has the benefit of double insulation around the groin and chest areas. However, double the insulation also leads to greater restriction in movement and greater buoyancy, which would require you to carry more lead, than you would have to in a one-piece suit of similar thickness.
Now that we have covered the thickness of your wetsuit in relation to the water temperature you need to focus on the fit. Wetsuit needs to fit you, if it is to big, it will fill with water and loose much of its insulation capabilities. Only the right thickness and the right fit will keep you warm and let you dive without the fear of cold. - 22873
About the Author:
Clement has a blog about wetsuits where he gives useful advice on diving wetsuits like for instance a full list of wetsuit brands and more.
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