Visiting UK from Oz - drysuit purchase advice...

[northerner]

Divernet | Group tests | DRYSUIT BUYERS' GUIDE+...

Thanks for the link - very interesting article. I also spotted the link to this page Divernet | Group tests | The truth about drysuits which is a very down to earth overview of drysuit diving. Very informative.

Cheers,

Graham

[northerner]

Graham,

I live in Terrigal, just up the road from you, in Oz terms anyway.

My dry suit is a DUI Trilam, admittedly fairly expensive (and their after sales service seriously sucks, not just because of their geographical location) but you gets what you pays for. The suit is pretty well bulletproof.

I would not entertain a crushed neoprene suit, not because I don't have one but because a couple of friends went that way (both serious cave divers, both using DUIs) and the things are simply not as tough as the trilam.

As well, and as others have said, you can change the thermal characteristics of a shell suit much more easily than wearing a crushed neoprene. I could easily wear my suit in summer with virtually nothing underneath but I much prefer my semidry in warmer months because I like "wet". The DUI came along only when I got older and more wimpish.

This is not a plug for DUI, it is a plug for shell suits.

Cheers Christian,

I think we're definitely going membrane - thanks for the info. I agree about the 'wet' diving, we will continue to dive wet until temps become uncomortable. I refuse to become a wuss and dive dry in anything over 17 degrees!

In fact I have several friends who dive dry in the winter and, although they love their drysuits, are utterly relieved to get back into a wetsuit/semidry when it warms up enough.

It's been a while since we spoke by the way! Really must get up to Terrigal some time soon.

Cheers,

Graham

[Digger]

If you've got 3.5 weeks I wouldn't bother with Otter. I have at least 3 mates who have had to get 2 suits made, and one who needed 3 suits made in order to get the thing to fit. They can't make 3 suits in 3.5 weeks by the time you've gone, tried it on, told them they've got it wrong (if you know what you're looking for), they go back and make another one, the cycle continues - my faith has dissapeared in what was one of the best manufacturers in the UK.

The way they cut suits means you won't get the same flexibility you would get from a MTM suit from someone like Seaskin - I've seen their suits and they do a very good job of making the suit fit you and give you the flexibility you need.

For the rough exits, I'd suggest a pair of cheap knee pads - Beaver do some which basically just put a layer of neoprene where you need it getting out.

You will find that most drysuits are goign to be fine on even the rockiest entry and exits though.

Personally I wouldn't hae gone for membrane, but then I'm not diving in Australia. I find they're a bit colder for the bulk of suits - a thermal under a neo is warmer for me than a thin undersuit under a membrane, and both are as flexible as each other.

Digs.

[Richard Mason]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the quick reply. I've read quite alot on the neoprene/membrane debate and can see the arguements both ways. Apart from the 'neutral' thermal properties are there any other advantages to going membrane over neoprene?

We live in Sydney and most of our diving is up and down the NSW coast. Sydney is typically 21-22 degrees in summer down to about 15-16 in winter. We dive with a wetsuit for most of the year - really until water temps drop below 17-18 degrees and the air temp is cooler - then the dry suit would be very welcome! Also will help for multiple dives (ie - keeping warm and dry) and also for boat dives - again wind chill factor.

Will have a look at the Otter offerings - I have a friend who has recently moved to the UK and has bought herself an Otter membrane and loves it!

Cheers,

Graham

Hello Northener,

I'm from the deep South so it's drysuits all year round, max summer temp is 18C, yesterday it was 8~9C very dark at 12m and the scallops were lovely.

Yes, Terry's right, I'd go membrane everytime: I was in your part of the world in December with CG in Terrigal (it pissed down almost solid for a week - so don't you Coathangertown people ever knock Tassie weather again as we were still drought stricken back home!).

Anyway, no longer possessing a wetsuit, I took the drybag, with a very light undersuit, no gloves & no hood, found it to be perfect in the 22C temps prevalent then. I've read Sydneysiders on Diveoz moaning as late as November about 14C water temps, so I realise it's not always like this!

As for preferring a wettie in summer, well TBH, I actually find it quicker to get in & out of a d/s, so less time stood there cooking in the heat. Unless I was much further north and could dive in a 2 or 3mm, I don't think I'd bother. D/s is so much better for buoyancy control too - I just can't hack it anymore in a wettie.