There are two basic types of diving suits used to help SCUBA divers stay warm: wet suits, and dry suits. They function quite differently, and each has benefits. When using a wet suit, as the diver enters the water, water enters the suit. Assuming the suit fits properly, the divers body heat then goes to work "warming" the water inside the suit and keeping the diver warm. This would be a bit too chilly in Antarctica, so divers there use dry suits. Dry suits are basically one-piece suits that have snug seals that fit around the wrists and neck to keep water from entering the suit, thus the name: "dry suit." There are many different types of dry suits, but typically, in order to stay warm, the diver wears an undergarment under the suit. I wear a fleece-lined suit, winter socks, fleece-lined booties, and fleece gloves under my dry suit! But there's more to SCUBA diving dry suits...
Divers need to add and remove air from their suits in order to maintain buoyancy, so SCUBA dry suits also have two valves. One valve is the "inlet" valve which is where the divers inflator hose attaches to the suit. This valve and hose allows air to be put into the suit - for both buoyancy control and warmth. The second valve is the "dump" valve which allows the diver to release air out of the suit.
Putting air into the dry suit also helps keep the diver warm. As the water pressure builds, the air in the suit compresses causing the dry suit to feel "shrink wrapped" around the diver. This also compresses any fleece causing it to become less effective at maintaining warmth. Divers will add air to their suits to push back the "shrink wrapped" suit and allow the fleece to regain its loft, thus allowing the diver to stay warmer!
Shrink-wrapped wrist
Air inflated wrist
The "pool test" for my new dry suit
Dry suit or space suit?
Dry and happy!
You can also check out my journals and pictures from previous seasons at:
http://www.ryejrhigh.org/ellwood
