Drysuits..

[ShinyD]

Originally Posted by SoggyFox

i had a look at one of these yesterday and i'm considering buying one when my suit finally gets to religious and gives up the ghost. you'd recommend it?

I've only just started diving, so have nothing else to compare with, but...

I bought a Waterproof Draco and love it. Very comfortable and a good fit right off the peg. Not a dribble inside it yet (a whole 5 dives ;-).

Not much of a recommendation maybe, given my lack of experience yet, but I don't regret the purchase in the slightest.

[wokauvin]

Another thumbs up here for the Waterproof Draco. I got mine recently - bone dry and very very well put together. Can you describe a drysuit as being 'built like a tank'?

[Kanga]

Originally Posted by Sea-M

6'2" - 21st
size11 shoe
50" chest
42" waist

its a good job this isnt an add in the lonely hearts... jeezus im depressing myself here!

actually if youve ever been to vobster and thought you saw "Shrek" diving... chances are that was me.

Lordy, don't be embarrassed - I have much in common with a beached whale, only without the in-water grace and agility.

Hmm, well my membrane suits won't be very comfy for you to try, but I could sort you out with a neo to test if you're interested. See how you get on with the info from other members of this parish, and PM me if fancy a test dive at some point.
alice

[stick_slinger]

Hi,
I've never tried neoprene so can't say anything about them and have only used membrane dry suits.

I purchased a Northen Diver Vortex a couple of months ago and am very happy with it - lots of flexibility, well made, dry and good value-for-money.

HTH

J

[slip179]

Mine 2p for what it is worth. Never dived neo, I wanted something comfortable diving and after with minimum of faff to get on/off. Have a tri-lam. It came with Otter 200g undersuit which I find very bulky/buoyant. I am an ex-rugby player (finished as front row) so have my own insulation! I actually changed to Guinness fleece/jogging bottoms to save lead.

I now use 4th element Xerotherm base layer and this is fine for 10C water, but as I say I don't feel the cold!

Obviously make sure you get training before you use one. Don't want any feet first ascents!

[Digger]

One or two advantages you don't often see trotted out. Neoprene suits when flooded will still keep you relatively warm. Far warmer in my experience than a membrane suit and undersuit. Flooded suit with significant deco obligation is a real concern for me, and anything I can do to keep 4 deg water out in winter or at least stand a chance of not being hypothermic before I hit the surface is worth having.

Flex. There isn't a membrane I've ever seen which can flex. They go as far as they go, and that's it. If they're cut wrong, the're crap. Neo is significantly more forgiving, you get to a point where they want to flex back, but if you absolutely needed to reach in a certain direction, it's possible.

Other than that my preference is neo neck seal, latex wrists. Mostly because I like being able to fit a dryglove ring system, which I've never seen done well on a neo seal. And the neo neck seal because it's far more comfortable and has at least some warmth to it, keeping the carotid artery feeding my little brain a bit warmer.

Digs.

[Scuttler]

Originally Posted by Digger

One or two advantages you don't often see trotted out. Neoprene suits when flooded will still keep you relatively warm. Far warmer in my experience than a membrane suit and undersuit. .

Whilst I'd agree with most of what Digs has said. My membrane suit used to regularly flood. A couple of times I filled with water up to the knees. My undersuit used to be a Weezle Etreme+. I never got remotely cold and the water never managed to penetrate the undersuit.

I have no idea how cold you get when a neoprene floods as my 03 hasn't flooded so far *touch wood*

[milldog]

Originally Posted by Digger

One or two advantages you don't often see trotted out. Neoprene suits when flooded will still keep you relatively warm. Far warmer in my experience than a membrane suit and undersuit. Flooded suit with significant deco obligation is a real concern for me, and anything I can do to keep 4 deg water out in winter or at least stand a chance of not being hypothermic before I hit the surface is worth having.
Digs.

I will say i disagree with this, dependant on what under suit you have will determine how cold you will get i have intentionally flooded mine and the Xerotherm under suit kept me warm for the last 64 minutes of the deco

Graham

[endoman]

Originally Posted by milldog

I will say i disagree with this, dependant on what under suit you have will determine how cold you will get i have intentionally flooded mine and the Xerotherm under suit kept me warm for the last 64 minutes of the deco

Graham

Daft question, why intentionally flood a suit?

[Woz]

Originally Posted by endoman

Daft question, why intentionally flood a suit?

He doesn't have a pee valve and is not a proud man.