First Drysuit

[John Gulliver]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (wetlettuce @ May 09 2003,20:28)]Shoulder dump rather than cuff dump, preferably a high profile apeks type.

Why the high profile Apex autodump? Personally, I far prefer SI-Tech's low profile valve. It dumps air faster when needed and it doesn't get in the way as much when putting your wings/BC on or taking it off.

[Diving Dude]

Whatever suit you go for the most important thing is the fit.
If you buy a made to measure and it feels a tad tight, do not feel presurised by the dive shop into buying it, as l was 6yrs ago.
Now if l were buying a drysuit for the first time l would just buy the cheapest l could, use it for a season or two, you will  have figured out what you want by then and then you upgrade.

My next drysuit (after the Bikini/truk trip, South Africa Sardine run trip,rebreather, divorce etc) will be a Dui, or maybe l'll just loose weight.

[J.D.]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (wetlettuce @ May 09 2003,19:28)]A fourth element undersuit stops your thinsulate getting smelly and will wick the sweat from your body. Very useful

I do like like the look of the fourth element suit.  Just a thought though.....would the thermals used by climbers etc that you get in outdoor type shops do the same job? Seen some helly hansen ones at about half the price of a fourth element.  Theyre quite thin but i dont think that would matter with a warm undersuit on top.

[Gavin Yates]

<font color='#000F22'>4th element - waste of money 4 what you get.

Had one - used it and sent it back. I'm thonly person that ever did this - they say!

Had a set of Helly underwear and bought another set of fleeces and I have the ability to change both layering and warmth - winter to summer - and keep bouyancy correct.

Advice:-

Drysuit - buy one that fits
Undersuit - Weasel's are good but most are OK

That's it really - there's no magic wand with scuba equipment.

Most folk think that their drysuit is the best even tho' it's not.

Ditto - diving methodologies, BCs, regs, fins.

Best is - what's best for you.

[Mr T.]

Gotta say there is some wise advice here for all here. Buy what you feel is gonna be good for you, after taking advice from your peers and those you deem more experienced than yourself, as they've invariably learnt through experience and trial and error, and so are in a position to give sound advice and help.

My own personal preference and experience is limited to the Trilaminate DUI TLS 350 range of dry-bag (from SDS Watersports in Sheffield) an excellent suit and highly recommended; that said, and for a change, I shall be going for a 'half-n-half' trilam/compressed neoprene DUI for my next suit - either that, or an O'Three suit, as I understand, from everyone I've ever spoken to who owns or has used one, that they are the absolute dog's-danglie-bits (both product and after-sales service).

Gav's right: neoprene, crushed or otherwise; membrane, trilam or other, the choice is personal and you may (as many divers find - alas sometimes to their cost $$) find that you begin your diving career a confirmed 'one suit wallah' - only to change as your diving experience, requirements and ability changes. It's not uncommon, so roll with the punches and enjoy - as long as you dive safely and comfortably. There is no 'one suit suits all' approach to diving; just as there is no one diving ethos to suit all divers.

As ragards undersuits: Weezle are great, I've used one for a good while now. They compress well, sometimes too well in the winter months when you might well begin to feel the cold as they compress to a degree that limits their warmth retension factor. If you buy an Otter dry suit (Divers' Warehouse in Bradford - ask for Brett, he seriously knows his shit and can give very straight advice for your needs), you'll get a good dry suit and 200mg undersuit thrown in! Warm any time of the year.

Hope that helps and good luck,

[Wacker]

<font color='#8D38C9'>hi
I use a 100 gram thinsulate that came with my suit and wear it on its own in summer and most of the winter. When the water temp drops to 4 degrees I supliment it with thermall vest and longjohns (daymart type) this covers all temprature ranges,if like me you ride bikes or work on building sites you will already have the thermals. &nbsp;
Stay warm and dive safe Wacker.

[ian.smyth]

Hi,

I've just been in your position mate, looking for a decide first suit at a reasonable price.

I was looking at the Gates CBX 450, as well as a few other. &nbsp;But in the end (yesterday in fact) I decided to bite the bullet and buy a second hand Otter Skin, Cost £250. &nbsp;Look just like new and the fit is good (as far as I can tell, can do all the stretching and stuff, and doesn't feel to baggy)

Basically my advice, is go cheap (but decent) second hand, use it for a while, to get a feel for drysuit diving and then buy a new one. &nbsp;Obvious during this period you will get to see some suits in action and possibly even blag a go in a few, and you will always have your cheap second hand suit as a spare (No money wasted!)

I can give you the fella's number if you want, he had a few left.

Stay safe

[John Gulliver]

Quote from James Davies:
&quot;Would the thermals used by climbers etc ......... do the same job?&quot;
Answer: Absolutely! Helly Hansen, among other manufacturers, do several different kinds. Choose one with a high wool content for best insulation, even when damp. I looked at Fourth Element's Xerotherm at LIDS and see no justification for the high price.

Quote from Gavin Yates:
&quot;Most folks think their drysuit is the best even tho' it's not.
Ditto - diving methodologies, BCs, regs, fins.
Best is – what's best for you.&quot;
Exactly! I was beginning to think I was the only one that thought that.  

Having said that, I and many other people I know started with a 7 mm neoprene drysuit and have changed to a membrane or crushed/compressed neoprene suit and would never change back.
PS My Audi 6 TDI is better than your car, whatever you've got.  

[paul-gte]

       i've got an otter skin which is an excellant suit and i wear a second hand otter undersuit with some old thermals for extra warmth and i have had no problems throughout the winter . For a good deal on a dry suit try garry hudson at  duckanddive.com tel o1274394444 he is selling off a lot of new and second hand suits dirt cheap, hope this is  of some use
                   cheers paul

[Dan]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Most folk think that their drysuit is the best even tho' it's not.

I dont. I seem to be the only person on this planet who doesnt like their otter.
I have had it about a year and I am now on my third suit because they have to keep remaking it because the crappy thing keeps leaking. I say I am on my third suit, I havent got it yet because despite making it so many times they keep forgetting to but the braces on it so I got to wait other week while they sort that out. It has spend more time at otter than in the water (its been back about 5-6 times) and I am not a happy chappy.
All in all I not impress with otter. Its great they have made me a new suit, cant fault that for customer service and it was something I wasnt expecting but for a firm thats meant to be one of the best I shouldnt have a suit thats leaks in the first place let alone 2 suits(hopefully not a third) and I would of expected them to make sure the third was perfect and not forget something like braces after the grief I have already had and it would be nice as well if they would answer my emails, I am starting to rant so I will leave it at that.

pilotdivers