Imported post
Hey Sproz,
Only you know how cold you get in the water - that said, if you're gonna be diving in UK conditions as much as most of us on here, then yes, my advice would be to get a dry-bag and take a recognised drysuit use & orientation course (regardless of agency or club). When thinking about this step, it is the instructor, not the course, which is important. Choose one you either know and respect, or one who comes recommended by friends who dive who you know and respect.
There have been a number of unfortunate accidents (some fatal) of late that may, in the final analysis and after the inquests, be put down to the fact that the diver in question was not au fait or comfortable with the different disciplines of diving ('flying') a dry bag - it is very different from using a wet suit or semi-dry and consequently new skills need to both learnt and mastered.
THREE key areas to master and become adept at controlling:
1. Learning how to recognise, redress and correct an inversion (where the air on your suit migrates to your suit legs/feet/boots) and in so doing, preventing yourself from having a rapid and/or uncontrolled feet-first ascent from any depth!
2. Redress and correct 'Suit Squeeze': failing to do this can result in either mild or massive discomfort on a dive and if left unchecked by the untutored, can result in panic....with all the attendant norz that can bring with it.
3. Buoyancy Control: because, dependent on your personal style and choice (i.e. suit or wing/BC to control buoyancy)above depths of 30 to 40 metres, you will be using either your suit or your wing/BCD to control your buoyancy, it is essential that you learn how to 'fly' the suit - otherwise 'problems' can occur. Below approx 40 metres, you would have to use that much air/gas to inflate your suit that it becomes uneconomical and so you would have to switch to your wing or BC to control your bouyancy. Above that depth (although you will get a mountain of differing personal opinion on this point) you can make the call yourself which you use - your suit or your wing/BC.
I personally can recomment Chris Hall, who lives in your neck of the woods-ish, as both a safe and reliable instructor; he's also a very approachable guy too. You can find him on these boards.
Good luck and I hope this has been of some use. Anything further just ask away.
Cheers.