dry or semi-dry

[mudshark]

After waiting, studying, asking opinions, trying on trilam styles and neoprene at different shops, etc. I finally decide on a compressed neoprene style drysuit and buy it at a good price. Then someone today asked why I didn't. After all these shops and online reading, I never came across any explanation of them.

How do the semi drys work and what optimal temps do they work best in? I'd say I tolerate cool water pretty well with standard 7ml wet and a hood but having dove in Catalina last March with temps in mid 50's I was miserable. I aalso get narc'd pretty bad in cold deep water. But I didn't want to have California not be an option for me since I live in AZ. Did I screw up by getting the full dry suit?

[willardj]

Originally Posted by mudshark

After waiting, studying, asking opinions, trying on trilam styles and neoprene at different shops, etc. I finally decide on a compressed neoprene style drysuit and buy it at a good price. Then someone today asked why I didn't. After all these shops and online reading, I never came across any explanation of them.

How do the semi drys work and what optimal temps do they work best in? I'd say I tolerate cool water pretty well with standard 7ml wet and a hood but having dove in Catalina last March with temps in mid 50's I was miserable. I aalso get narc'd pretty bad in cold deep water. But I didn't want to have California not be an option for me since I live in AZ. Did I screw up by getting the full dry suit?

Full Dry was the right choise. I have a sime dry now. I have had it for bout 3 yr's works great but as soon as I get the rest on the money put away for the Dry suit it is done for. Dry is most deff. the way to go.

[thesmoothdome]

Definately not! The wonderful thing about dry suits is that it's the underwear underneath that determines your warmth. Of course, with a compressed neoprene suit, there's some inherent warmth built in, but just dive with light underwear in warner temps and you'll be golden.

As for how a semi-dry works, it works under the same principles of a wet suit, trapping a layer of water in the suit which you're body heats up. The big difference is in the wrist and ankle seals. These skin in seals minimize the water flow even more than a well fit wet suit. In theory, you'll be kept warmer because there will be less water exchange ocurring during your dive. The problem is that a semi-dry suit still compresses at depth, thereby not giving you as much thermal insulation as you might want when you want it most. It also breaks down like a wet suit does. A good dry suit can last over 10 years. A wet suit, maybe 3-5. IMHO, money is better spent on a dry suit.

[CompuDude]

Good call. SoCal can definitely be dived in a wetsuit (or semidry), and in the summer that's no problem, but once winter comes you'll thank your lucky stars you went dry.

Another area the drysuit cleans up over the wetsuit is in repetitive diving. Even in the warmer summer months, if you get on a good boat or liveaboard (like the Peace) that is doing 5 dives a day, you're going to be COLD in a wetsuit by the end of the day from cumulative heat loss. Not so in a drysuit. Considering how far you are traveling to dive, you want to be able to maximize your bottom time... and not suffer miserably while doing so. Drysuit all the way.

[somewhereinla]

I have been diving with semi-dry for 2 years, and unfortunately they are very miss-understood by people that either never dove in one ore put them on improperly. Semi-dry actually work and feel quite differently than a wetsuit. In 2 years of diving with them I never got my torso wet, never. They feel much tighter on the wrists and forearms as well as the ankles, and if worn properly will be the only area that will get somewhat wet. The rest of your body will be relatively dry. They come with a drysuit zipper and seals on the neck, arms and legs. When worn properly very little water will get in. They will keep you very warm. The only downside is that they do compress at depth and they are quite difficult to put on and off. They are quite uncomfortable above water, you feel a bit like the Michelin mascot however they are very comfortable once you are in the water.
I don't think they are a replacement for a dry suit if you dive a lot. I have actually decided to go dry this year as well. I think the semi-dry suit is the perfect fall and/or spring suit as well as a great occasional winter suit.

[terrillja]

Well I have both...

I went dry about a month after I got my OW cert, and just bought a semidry here (off used) for 165 incl s/h for the summer. I love my DS, but I wanted a semidry for the summer, more warmth with less bulk, and easier to don.

Looking forward to using it this spring/summer.

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by somewhereinla

I have been diving with semi-dry for 2 years, and unfortunately they are very miss-understood by people that either never dove in one ore put them on improperly. Semi-dry actually work and feel quite differently than a wetsuit. In 2 years of diving with them I never got my torso wet, never. They feel much tighter on the wrists and forearms as well as the ankles, and if worn properly will be the only area that will get somewhat wet. The rest of your body will be relatively dry. They come with a drysuit zipper and seals on the neck, arms and legs. When worn properly very little water will get in. They will keep you very warm. The only downside is that they do compress at depth and they are quite difficult to put on and off. They are quite uncomfortable above water, you feel a bit like the Michelin mascot however they are very comfortable once you are in the water.
I don't think they are a replacement for a dry suit if you dive a lot. I have actually decided to go dry this year as well. I think the semi-dry suit is the perfect fall and/or spring suit as well as a great occasional winter suit.

From what you describe, it seems a full blown drysuit would be MUCH more comfortable. At least on it you can equalize the air space. I also am somewhat suspect of the sealing capabilities of the semi-dry. I am sure a 'poor' fit would yield much different results whereas a true dry suit is a sealed air bag and tolerates a 'poor' fit without loss of thermal capabilities.

The other issue is cost. I started shopping for a new wetsuit and the premium wet suits cost almost as much as my used drysuit did. There are a lot of new budget drysuits for not a lot more out there. Its not a product I would find a use for since I have a drysuit

Still, a semi-dry is simpler to dive than a drysuit which is an advantage.

[somewhereinla]

To each his own I guess...

Here is South.Cal. where temp are around 50-55 on average, they are quite popular so I am sure lot's of people find them to be an attractive solution.

[JahJahwarrior]

What I will always remember is an infamous quote I got from a user on SB when I asked this same question.

"Just remember, when thinking about getting a semi dry suit, that thermal protection is kind of like pregnancy. You either are, or you aren't. You can't be semi-pregnant."

A semi dry means you are semi wet. If you want to be semi wet, then fine. If you want to be dry, then dive with a drysuit.

[wheelman]

I believe the dry suit was a good call. You are either wet or dry. It is going to be one of my next purchases.