How hard is it to dive in a dry suit?

[Guyburger]

I've recently been tempted to learn how to dive in a drysuit. I've always been a warm water Caribbean diver but I am making my first trip to the Pacific (Galapagos in September). I understand that Galapagos is not so cold as to demand a dry suit but I became intrigued by the drysuit concept researching what exposure protection was appropriate.
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<DIV>I've had some experienced dry suit divers tell me that diving in a drysuit was so different from diving wet that it was a totally different experience. I've had some divers with limited experience in a drysuit tell me it was the hardest thing they've ever tried to learn in diving. I like the feel of diving wet and if a drysuit changes that completely I'm not sure its for me. </DIV>
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<DIV>What are your experiences in learning to dive in a drysuit and how do you compare it to diving wet?</DIV>

[cummings66]

It is different, and IMO takes at least 10 dives to get the hang of it. I don't think you should be diving anything more than a shallow dive profile for the first couple dozen dives because the odd's of losing control of your buoyancy are pretty good.
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<DIV>At first most will hate it because it's that different. Then it grows on you and soon it's like diving the wetsuit. In fact for me I prefer it to a wetsuit, it's easier for me now. In the beginning it was more difficult, no lie there.</DIV>
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<DIV>I suppose you could say there's a higher task loading to a drysuit and it's more dangerous, but after a while you'll catch on and it becomes fun again.</DIV>

[Wolfie2012]

It certainly is different, and like most anything else in life, some will take to it more easily than others. I'd also suggest shallow dive profiles at least until you can assess how comfortable you are in one. While it isn't technically necessary, you might also consider taking the certification class for it - you'll learn some necessary skills.
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<DIV>All in all the best anyone can really say is that it is a very different experience. Whether it is more difficult or not is really personal interpretation.</DIV>

[jpsexton]

I'd say 8 - 10 dives is about right. If you go this way get the dry gloves as well. They make a huge difference!

[cummings66]

When you get the dry gloves, if possible install the Viking Ring system as it's the best out there and never ever leaks.
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<DIV>The others are a matter of time before they leak. My buddy said he was 50 % happy with his, i.e. one of the rings leaked and the other didn't. The end result was a suit flood and no fun.</DIV>
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<DIV>Viking Bayonet Rings do not do this, nor do the rubber rings they have.</DIV>
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<DIV>At any rate, dry gloves and dry hood are very nice options to have. One without the other is silly.</DIV>

[texdiveguy]

Diving dry for a new or experienced diver is a piece-of-cake...'really',,,,a basic few skills and practice!

[Jeff]

The differences can be summed up in two categories:

Buoyancy - You now have 2 air bubbles, one in your BCD, one in the suit, that you have to manage.

Emergency procedures - valves, dumps, etc. on the suit can fail, the suit itself can tear, or develop a leak, and all of these have a variety of risks associated, and procedures to recover.

Skill level really has nothing to do with it. Go up north and you'll find shops that teach dry suit to the basic Scuba Diver class, due to the local water temps that are always in the low 50's or 40's.

It just takes proper instruction, and practice.

[Marcin2005]

Hmmm..diving dry <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><O:P></O:P>
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As others have indicated, diving dry is not difficult, but is takes some time getting used to. <O:P></O:P>
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First, most of us in the Great White North dive dry not because it's "cool" but because it's necessary due to cold. Just to give you an idea, a typical temperature below a thermocline in the Great Lakes is in the 39 to 44 F range so at that stage even 7mm wetsuit does not give you enough protection. <O:P></O:P>
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However, should you decide to go ahead I would recommend going to some of the suit demo days toget the feel for different suits and see if it is what you need. Next if you decide to buy a suit try it with the undergarments on ! This is important to see if its fits properly.<O:P></O:P>
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Once you have the suit or (have a chnce to try it during a demo) start off by not putting any gas into it add only enough to minimize the "squeese". I would discourage you from using your suit as a bouyancy control device. That's what you BCD is for. <O:P></O:P>
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Lastly, thefirst few dives should be done in a pool or some other shallow body of water (that you are familliar with) until you become comfortable with it. If you don’t know anyone who dives dry and is able to assist you, take a dry suit course.<O:P></O:P>
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Good luck<O:P></O:P>
M<O:P></O:P>

[cummings66]

I found for me the proper amount of squeeze is the amount you feel at 20 feet. I.e. descend to 20 feet without adding air and feel that pressure, now go deeper and add air to maintain the feeling you had at 20 feet.
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<DIV>The depth might vary a bit depending on your undergarment and type of drysuit, but the basics are the same.</DIV>

[CompuDude]

Dives 1-5: WHY did I spend so much money on this THING?
Dives 5-10: Ok, it sorta works, but I wonder if I can still dive wet most of the time...
Dives 10-20: Ok, starting to get the hang of it...
Dives 20-30: Oh, hey, look, I forgot to bring my wetsuit! Say, this warm thing is NICE!
Dives 30-40 : Do I have to dive wet?
Dive 40+: For Sale: Used Wetsuit