Drysuit tips.

[sea princess]

THanks for starting such a helpful thread..i am getting ready to purchase my first dry suit and was feeling intimidated by the whole idea of relearning my buoyancy but this thread is awesome! I will take the class when i get my suit.

[WaScubaDude]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Cotton jeans and cotton sweatshirts are hardly the ideal undergarment... in fact, anything cotton is the worst possible undergarment. Cotton does not transport moisture when wet, and has zero insulating qualities when it's wet. Wool or quality synthetics are the way to go. Doesn't have to be special dedicated scuba undergarments, but cotton need not apply. Just get some good outdoors gear from an outdoor supply shop if that's more within your means... and remember, polartec and wool are your friends. Cotton is your enemy.

Second hand stores are a great place to find cheap undergarments, both wool and synthetic. I still have some that I use under my Mares jumpsuit under garment when it is really cold.

[maverick]

Getting ready 2 try DS diving myself. Some good tips here.

[RoyN]

Some drysuits have two zipper. Remember to zip both of them up.

[SteveR]

Just received my new Fusion drysuit with Sport skin. My drysuit class is early next week and then it is off to the Channel Islands on a live a board for 3 days of diving. That should give me plenty of experience with my new suit and get my AOW out of the day at the same time.

Great advice on this thread. I have read and re-read the advice here several times. Thanks to all who have contributed.

[snagel]

Thanks for bringing back this thread....I remember the day I originally posted. Here's an update. Since getting my drysuit cert, not sure how many dives I've done, but the first 10-15 were somewhat of a challenge. Now, it's 2nd nature and I dive nothing but dry except for when I go to the islands.

My first drysuit was a crushed neoprene. I liked it, but the shoulders were a little tight. Very warm suit, but did have to add a little more weight. I eventually bought the Pinnicle Evo II - absolutely one of the best suits. I love it.

Those of you getting ready for drysuit driving, hang in there. At first, you will feel like you are learning to dive all over again, but quickly it will become 2nd nature. You will hear so much about should you use the suit or the bcd to control buoyancy. This you will have to work out for yourself. I know people that do both and each have reasons for what they do. Me I typically pump a little air in suit to take the squeeze off and try and leave it alone. Proper weighting is essential to drysuit diving and at first you will want to have a lot of weight. This will only cause problems; so, try and get it right.

Good luck and be safe.

Snagel

[redsoxphan]

Originally Posted by snagel

Thanks for bringing back this thread....I remember the day I originally posted. Here's an update. Since getting my drysuit cert, not sure how many dives I've done, but the first 10-15 were somewhat of a challenge. Now, it's 2nd nature and I dive nothing but dry except for when I go to the islands.

My first drysuit was a crushed neoprene. I liked it, but the shoulders were a little tight. Very warm suit, but did have to add a little more weight. I eventually bought the Pinnicle Evo II - absolutely one of the best suits. I love it.

Those of you getting ready for drysuit driving, hang in there. At first, you will feel like you are learning to dive all over again, but quickly it will become 2nd nature. You will hear so much about should you use the suit or the bcd to control buoyancy. This you will have to work out for yourself. I know people that do both and each have reasons for what they do. Me I typically pump a little air in suit to take the squeeze off and try and leave it alone. Proper weighting is essential to drysuit diving and at first you will want to have a lot of weight. This will only cause problems; so, try and get it right.

Good luck and be safe.

Snagel

I have to admit that it's very interesting to see your posts from almost 2 years ago, and this one today. It's a great reminder to everyone that we all start in the same place with the same fears and apprehensions with diving and/or diving with new equipment (such as dry suit). I have 4 dives on my dry suit and I must say that the 1st one was absolutely miserable. I had ALL of the same issues mentioned throughout this thread. However, my 2nd dive was 150% better and I haven't looked back from there. I think the biggest difference for me was switching from my big/bulky weight integrated BC to SS BP/W. I immediately felt much more comfortable with the lack of bulk.

Thanks for ressurecting this post...ton of great info!!