Drysuits..

[stevechesh]

Originally Posted by endoman

Daft question, why intentionally flood a suit?

have a look under his avatar. there is a link to his latest blog that tells you why.

[endoman]

Fook me! I need to read that again slowly after I've had me tea!

[jimgiddings]

Never dove in a trilaminate suite before...

I dive in a compressed neoprene suit from DUI and hey, its JUST 'good'. Can't say I'm totally thriled though...the seals and zipper were shot after 180 dives. That is, as a Californian would say..."TOTALLY LAME DUDE!"

It is nice to be warm after 60 minutes in 45 degree water though! But I can give credit for that to my Xerotherm undies from 4th Element though.

Jim 'bloody Yank' Giddings

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by endoman

Daft question, why intentionally flood a suit?

Rich mix and his undersuit spontaneously combusted.

[Sea-M]

just to say that i have ordered myself a membrane suit based on the comments received... and ill let you know how i get on with it.

[supergirldiver]

Hey guys - looking to get a drysuit - membrane or neoprene - been reading this older thread - but I am wondering what is the difference when it comes to what to wear underneath them? I am a little confused - can you help please?

[Tunicates]

Hi Supergirl,

I did a load of this research recently being in the same position as yourself a few weeks ago (ooh-er, nudge nudge etc) and this is what I worked out:

Neoprene suits are cut a little closer, because Neo. has some thermal insulation you dont need as thick an undersuit. This means less air needed inside to keep you warm and so less weight that you may need to carry.

BUT

Neoprene looses some of its thermal insulation as you go deeper as it compresses (upto two thirds of its thickness) and so you need to account for this by putting more air in, and more layers underneath. There are some cracking thin undersuits about thesedays though, so not really a problem.

What to wear:
Some folks go with a thinsulate and pertex all in one, either 100gsm (grams per square metre - or fabric) or 200 to 250gsm for more warmth.
Some folks go for a two peice thermal suit - often much thinner but still super warm.

[Scubee]

Originally Posted by Tunicates are Mad

Hi Supergirl,

I did a load of this research recently being in the same position as yourself a few weeks ago (ooh-er, nudge nudge etc) and this is what I worked out:

Neoprene suits are cut a little closer, because Neo. has some thermal insulation you dont need as thick an undersuit. This means less air needed inside to keep you warm and so less weight that you may need to carry.

BUT

Neoprene looses some of its thermal insulation as you go deeper as it compresses (upto two thirds of its thickness) and so you need to account for this by putting more air in, and more layers underneath. There are some cracking thin undersuits about thesedays though, so not really a problem.

What to wear:
Some folks go with a thinsulate and pertex all in one, either 100gsm (grams per square metre - or fabric) or 200 to 250gsm for more warmth.
Some folks go for a two peice thermal suit - often much thinner but still super warm.

Unless.... you ahve a compressed neo suit just to add a further complication. These tend to be warmer than memberane, but they don't compress any further at depth, so you don't lose warmth. For example, i have a hypercompresed neo suit, i dived yesterday in 10 degrees and wore: highstreet available (= cheap) thermal underwear (long johns and long sleeed vest) sleeveless 4th element vest, xerotherm trousers and an O'three point below base jumper and was plenty warm enough.

[Tunicates]

Originally Posted by Scubee

Unless.... you ahve a compressed neo suit just to add a further complication. These tend to be warmer than memberane, but they don't compress any further at depth, so you don't lose warmth. For example, i have a hypercompresed neo suit, i dived yesterday in 10 degrees and wore: highstreet available (= cheap) thermal underwear (long johns and long sleeed vest) sleeveless 4th element vest, xerotherm trousers and an O'three point below base jumper and was plenty warm enough.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.....
- I went for membrane and a 250gsm undersuit. Dont know how warm I'll be as it hasnt arrived yet.

[mikecsmith]

Originally Posted by Tunicates are Mad

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.....
- I went for membrane and a 250gsm undersuit. Dont know how warm I'll be as it hasnt arrived yet.

I've been diving a leaky dry suit with a 100gsm undersuit and not been too bad but then I have lots of bioprene to keep me warm, just got a new dry suit I bought off the forum and it came with a 200gsm undersuit - the thing is bloody warm, when I was trying to dry suit on I thought I was going to die of dehydration I was sweating so much.

Quick question to anyone in the know - the arms on this new dry suit I've bought are a touch too long but everything else on it is pretty much a perfect fit - will that give me any major issues?