Imported post
Hi - same thing for me really.
I have done six dives in my dry suit thus far and am starting to really enjoy the experience. I will say, though that I am far from what I would consider to be "proficient" in its use and struggled to learn to drive it my first two-three dives.
That I have still not quite got the hang of positioning the autodump on my upper left arm (and then leaving it alone), although its getting easier. All that aside, it has transformed the whole experience of diving for me and I would heartily recommend it. I did not do a drysuit course as no instructor was available at the time, but I suspect that would have enabled me to acclimatise that much easier.
As for the neoprene/membrane debate, I could not comment in details as a never dived in a membrane. I picked a 5mm neoprene suit from a great company called "O'Three" (the msf 500) and it suits me down to the ground. In moderately cool waters (7c), I can dive with only a v.thin thermal base layer and do not need to invest in an undersuit at all (quite costly in themselves). Plus, in the summer I could throw on the suit over shorts & tee shirt and its is fine.
On the other side of the coin, it is said that neoprenes have more problems with bouyancy control on deeper dives due to the fact that the material itself compresses further at depth (not a factor with membranes). However within my recreational diving limits this is not something that troubles me and, as I understand it, compressed neoprenes are used by some of the deeper diving "tech" fraternity too. (sorry 'Ammers - no macho male-tech reference meant by "fraternity").
Its a great overall workhorse suit and, I think, the most flexible option for the rec diver.
Good luck mate & happy (safe) diving
Ralphy
(Edited by Ralphy at 1:43 pm on Mar. 17, 2002)