Commercial Grade Suit

[divergirl]

So I'm going to be starting my commercial diving course this summer and I was just wondering if anybody has any experience in the field and with drysuits?

I need to purchase one before my course starts so I'm trying to do some research on the best suit to buy- both price wise but also durability/ usefulness for dive work.

I know of course viking has insanely good suits for this specific purpose, however I was wondering If anyone has any experience with a lower price suit that they found has worked well for them.

Any input will be greatly appreciated

thanks

[fisheater]

Lots of commercial divers in the Pacific NorthWest swear by High Tide. I'm coveting their drysuits, too.

[CompuDude]

Your instructors may have an opinion on this one. Have you checked with them to make sure there isn't already a list of approved makes and models yet?

Also, sometimes commercial schools will have special arrangements with shops to provide discounts on the approved models. It's well worth asking first.

(That said, once you get a quote, make sure their "specials" are actually special, and not inflated so the school gets a kickback!)

[RoyN]

If you get your hands on Northern Diver drysuit, they work great! Too bad there isn't a license US store here.

[fisheater]

Originally Posted by RoyN

If you get your hands on Northern Diver drysuit, they work great! Too bad there isn't a license US store here.

That's the brand that the captain of the crab boat was wearing when he did a risky (read "really dangerous") dive in the middle of the Bearing Sea.

[mm_dm]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Your instructors may have an opinion on this one. Have you checked with them to make sure there isn't already a list of approved makes and models yet?

Also, sometimes commercial schools will have special arrangements with shops to provide discounts on the approved models. It's well worth asking first.

(That said, once you get a quote, make sure their "specials" are actually special, and not inflated so the school gets a kickback!)

This is sound advice. Once upon a time, I was looking at the commercial diving route and the schools I was considering all had strong opinions on gear, but did have special buying arrangements for that gear.

[cummings66]

Checking with the school is a good way to go. I'd suggest going with Viking, I've dove their commercial suit and it's very tough. I have 2 of them myself, a sport and an extreme. The commercial was a friends suit and other than being heavy and tough they're very nice.

[captain]

--AQUALA--