View Full Version : Drysuits whats the best?
Hi guys I met a couple of divers in Aquatron and they were getting there first set of dive kit. We were talking about drysuits, I gave them advice as I thought was right. What advice would give to someone getting there first drysuit IE size, material, zip, make, cost, pockets, seals, boots, dumpvalve.
I was a bit trial and error, having learnt to dive in the warmth of the persian gulf in shorts and a t-shirt. Dry suit was a completely different ball game. First tried a aquaion pro ended up constantly feet up (interesting for 1st ever dive) however by the end of the 35 mins or so i have no worries now of feet up problems. I then got a 2nd hand northern diver dive master for 120 off ebay which is like a made to measure its a perfect fit. So obviously size and correct fitment as the aquaion was a touch long in the leg. I also find the neoprene warmer, i recently replaced the neck seal with a neoprene one and its brilliant compared to latex. Auto shoulder dump as opposed to wrist, Boots to fit with socks and booties as again i think they were a size to big trapping air. So basically a good fit when worn with a undersuit that wont trap air but flexible enough to be able to move in it.
Personally I'd like a front loading zip as i think it would be easier to get in and out off especially when caught short;)
alexmaclennan
26-10-06, 18:44
Ding, as you know the right drysuit is.............................. one that doesn't leak. Bought my Gates VSN 1100 Pro off ebay with undersuit for £150. Does what it says on tin and has not let me down in 60+ dives. Always dry. Never tried any other suits apart from membrane suits hired from Aquatron and Splashsports - never quite fitted. Happy with this one as it fits me well.
Front or rear entry immaterial
Shoulder dump
Fitted boots not rockboots
Pockets might be good for spare mask (not enough space in my BCD with lights and DSMB)
alex
Gas Guzzler
26-10-06, 19:06
The best dry suit is one that fits, especially round the feet and legs. Lots of air down there is uncomfortable as you feel you are going to end up with a feet first assent.
Leak tight is good, but not crutial, just ask Ding!
I managed to flood my suit with a couple of litres of sea water on Sunday and wasn't too cold after 40 mins. A good undersuit is the key to staying warm if you get wet. So spend the money on that rather than the dry-suit.
A pocket for an easily accessable spare mask is a very good idea to. I had a mask split and flood on my 4th open water dive.
Not a lot of fun!!
As you can seee from my Avatar I have a fetching Northern Diver Cortex
I can only speak from my own experience. I have DUI compressed neoprene suit: http://www.duiuk.co.uk/6CNSE.htm (it's the black won sported by the ginger on the right).
It's the only suit i've had in 7 years diving, and offers the following benefits:
- bulletproof;
- wind proof (very handy in winter - it keeps you more than 10 times warmer than tri-lam);
- doesn't leak;
- attracts women.
The only flaw as a slightly dribbly shoulder dump which i replaced a few years ago with a poseidon dump - no probs since.
The best feature of a neoprene suit, aside from the flexibility, is the additional insulation. It really does keep you a lot warmer during and between dives. I would always recommend a DUI or ND neoprene suit to someone who was going to dive a lot in Scottish winters.
I bought mine from Ricky at Splashsports. Cost £450 in early 2000. Dunno how much they are now.
alexmaclennan
26-10-06, 21:18
What was that about dribbling?
Q How can you tell a level headed Irishman?
A He dribbles his pint equally from both sides of his mouth.
Dave Tomlin, who did my OW and AOW with Splashsports also swore by the crushed neoprene DUI suits. Allan Woods of Academy of Diving and Aquatron instruction swears against the ND uncrushed neoprene suits as they compress and lose buoyancy below 10m and then uncompress and become much more buoyant at less than 10m. He reckons they are a very bad idea for any newcomer as buoyancy control is much more difficult than with membrane suits.
alex
What was that about dribbling?
Q How can you tell a level headed Irishman?
A He dribbles his pint equally from both sides of his mouth.
Just racism :mad:
Dave Tomlin, who did my OW and AOW with Splashsports also swore by the crushed neoprene DUI suits. Allan Woods of Academy of Diving and Aquatron instruction swears against the ND uncrushed neoprene suits as they compress and lose buoyancy below 10m and then uncompress and become much more buoyant at less than 10m. He reckons they are a very bad idea for any newcomer as buoyancy control is much more difficult than with membrane suits.
alex
I've heard people say this about neoprene ... and I can understand how that might be the case ... but with compressed neoprene, apparently there is no further pressure-related compression. I can vouch for this, having never experienced it. No problems with buoyancy ...
but maybe that's just my memory ... it was a long time ago ...;)
i have 2 neoprene suits, one is 7mm the other is 4mm crushed.
the buoyancy change difference in the 7mm is so marginal you would not even notice.
good fit...nice n dry...if it works for you, then its the suit for you.
Rusty Nuts
27-10-06, 23:29
Hi All,
I'm one of those lads that has this problem with the dry suite, Its apparent that its your own personal choice but most of all its down to comfort and fit.
Thank for all the advice.
Russell.
bubblemaker
28-10-06, 01:17
I always tell newbies, that pretty much every piece of equipment they buy is down to personal preference. if it fits, it is comfy, it's affordable, and they are happy with it, then it is a good buy.
As for suits specifically. It should be a good fit. you should have good flexibility, without having masses of excess room inside the suit. and as a trainee, i would suggest that a 'dry' suit is best. And for all the advice in the world... the end decision is theirs. All you can do is give them your opinion... some people just wont listen!!!
alexmaclennan
28-10-06, 10:13
i have 2 neoprene suits, one is 7mm the other is 4mm crushed.
the buoyancy change difference in the 7mm is so marginal you would not even notice.
good fit...nice n dry...if it works for you, then its the suit for you.
Fair enought, Stewart. It would be fair to say that being a very experienced Scottish diver, you will have buoyancy control that is second nature. Allan's point is that when struggling with buoyancy control when beginning diving (as I did during my first 30 or so dives in Scotland), the change in buoyancy due to neoprene compressing/uncompressing is another thing to contend with. We also all know that buoyancy control is most problematic in the first 10m. His point is that uncompressing and therefore more buoyant neoprene is another thing that can lead to buoyancy becoming problematic causing an uncontrolled ascent in a beginner diver.
alex
I don't mean to be deliberately contentious ... but ... ;)
I found neoprene suits easier to handle as a novice because they are snug and tend not to have pockets of trapped air here and there which destabilise buoyancy ... neoprene gently shrink-wraps you and is extremely stable trim-wise ...
overall there's probably not much difference ... but i do love the smell of neoprene in the morning. It smells like victory!
i take your points on board Alex, fair play they are too.
my direction was towards the newer neoprene on the market which has so little differential.
old thick neoprene suits are fast becoming a thing of the past.
look at wetsuits, all made of neoprene & every warm water diver starts with one.
task overload for any trainee is something they dont need, i agree.
I agree with Gord, they are more easier to control, but i think it is more down to the fitting than the actual material being used.
i have had worse experiences with buoyancy in an ill fitting membrane than any neoprene suit i have owned.
alexmaclennan
29-10-06, 07:05
Oh Crap - I can see that I'm being edged towards getting a crushed neoprene suit just to try it and see. This site is responsible for me buying the Light Cannon and spring fin straps already.
alex
The best dry suits are those which the occupier remembers to have zip closed.(OOPS Jon)
Today we did B.I.assesments at FINNART,lOCH lONG.WELL DONE EDDIE & BUBBLEMAKER,Thanks to all who participated in making this a successful day,special thanks to:Kevin & Graham,NDC & RDC.
Jon, remember to dive in a Dry Suit!!!!!!
Ian Allan
IanStevenson
29-10-06, 21:42
Oh Crap - I can see that I'm being edged towards getting a crushed neoprene suit just to try it and see. This site is responsible for me buying the Light Cannon and spring fin straps already.
alex
I have a Northern Diver Divemaster suit - 5mm compressed neoprene - I'm very happy and it wasn't expensive (under £500). Typhoon do some bargain basement neoprene suites (£350 or so) which I would have bought but they were just not the right shape for me.
Ian
This site is responsible for me buying the Light Cannon and spring fin straps already.
alex
diving can be an expensive hobby :D
Oh Crap - I can see that I'm being edged towards getting a crushed neoprene suit just to try it and see. This site is responsible for me buying the Light Cannon and spring fin straps already.
alex
You're welcome to try mine if it fits (i'm 5'11'').
... however, you may feel so :cool: :cool: :cool: that you'll have to go straight to Splashsports with your wallet open. Be warned ...
This site is responsible for me buying the Light Cannon and spring fin straps already.
alex
you should be thanking us for this :) ;)