Thermal Protection
How To Choose A Wet SuitThe two reasons that divers use an exposure suit of some kind is to prevent heat loss and to protect their skin from cuts and abrasions.� There are three kinds of exposure suits on the market: body suits, wet suits, and dry suits.� It is the wet suit, however, that is the topic of interest for this examination.
Water conducts heat away from the body 25% faster than air at an equal temperature.� Thus, even though the water temperature is WARM, with prolonged exposure, the body�s core temperature will drop and cause the diver to become fatigued.� In extreme cases, water temperature below 75 degrees F can cause hypothermia and loss of life.� The other reason for the use of wetsuits is for protection of abrasions and stinging from animals.� People do not have the same agility underwater that they have on land and thus we need an added layer of protection.
Wet suits essentially work in two ways: they insulate and retard water circulation.� Most are constructed of neoprene foam as it is an excellent material for insulation purposes.� The neoprene functions to retard heat loss though radiation.� Thus, as a diver goes deeper the gas in the neoprene compresses and the insulation quality becomes less.� The other way a wet suit works is by allowing a thin layer of water in next to the diver�s skin where the body works to warm this thin layer in a process known as thermal equilibrium.� As the water stays at rest against the body, there is very little energy expended to stay warm, but if water free flows through the suit then the body will have a much more difficult time staying warm.� Thus, it is important to make sure that the wet suit fits snugly against the diver�s body.� The only real drawback to these neoprene wet suits would be the need for extra weight when diving.
Wet suits are offered in several levels of thickness ranging from a thin .5mm suit to as thick as a 7mm suit.� The thicker the suit, the warmer it will keep you as a diver so it is important to consider the destination and time of year when choosing your wet suit.�
Wet suits also come in a variety of styles.� The full suit type ranges between the step in shorty and the farmer john or the beaver tail shorty with waist high pants.� There are full jump suits and just the step-in shorty.� For diving in Oklahoma, the most versatile suit is probably a 3mm step in shorty with a farmer john, or a Scubapro back zip, nylon one jump suit. This is the only technology that works for layering, as the smooth nylon one won�t bead up or allow water to remain between it�s layers, like nylon two will.� In the colder months, a diver would need the entire suit as well as for deep diving.� After you take into consideration the type of diving that you will be doing, then you may consider the colors and other extra options as a spine pad or knee pads.� Before you go any further, come into Poseidon Adventures and try on one of our large variety of wet suits.� We carry Seaquest, Body Glove, O�Neill, and Scuba Pro brands from sizes small to XXL in men's sizes and if we don�t have the one you want, then we can order it from the manufacturer.���
