Drysuit Diving What do you need...

[Wibble]

Underclothes are about layering and artificial fibres. Diving in warm water, only a rash vest, in winter it's a 'tech' vest, Santi heated vest, another thermal vest, long-sleeved rash vest; thick thermal top. Thick diving trousers and caving neoprene socks. All with drygloves. All of that lot costs a small fortune, but boy, is it good to be warm. Need to add another 4kg/9lbs to counteract the buoyancy!

As the old saying goes; there's no such thing as being cold, only wearing the wrong clothes.

 

[Danny D]

I don't think that's accurate though. I noticed @Danny D is on the forum. I believe his hose may be longer than 12".

? Not sure how I am involved here ... don’t do SM.

 

[formernuke]

Underclothes are about layering and artificial fibres. Diving in warm water, only a rash vest, in winter it's a 'tech' vest, Santi heated vest, another thermal vest, long-sleeved rash vest; thick thermal top. Thick diving trousers and caving neoprene socks. All with drygloves. All of that lot costs a small fortune, but boy, is it good to be warm. Need to add another 4kg/9lbs to counteract the buoyancy!

As the old saying goes; there's no such thing as being cold, only wearing the wrong clothes.

I disagree with artificial fibers. I prefer wool. The only reason my undergarments are not wool is because they don't make them in wool. My base layers are all wool.

 

[Wibble]

I disagree with artificial fibers. I prefer wool. The only reason my undergarments are not wool is because they don't make them in wool. My base layers are all wool.

I find the inside of a drysuit is quite damp, simply because of sweat and condensation. Last summer my suit had loads of leaks and artificial fibres really come into their own for keeping you warm. (Drysuit had its service and had 4 holes, a replacement zip, dump valve and the pee valve mounting replaced!)

I mostly use Fourth Element kit. Admittedly a UK design, so common on dive boats over here. A pair of old adverts sum up our diving nicely!

 

[Marie13]

I find the inside of a drysuit is quite damp, simply because of sweat and condensation. Last summer my suit had loads of leaks and artificial fibres really come into their own for keeping you warm. (Drysuit had its service and had 4 holes, a replacement zip, dump valve and the pee valve mounting replaced!)

I mostly use Fourth Element kit. Admittedly a UK design, so common on dive boats over here. A pair of old adverts sum up our diving nicely!

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My Great Lakes wreck diving is very similar. No RIBs, though, which I’m thankful for!

 

[formernuke]

I find the inside of a drysuit is quite damp, simply because of sweat and condensation. Last summer my suit had loads of leaks and artificial fibres really come into their own for keeping you warm. (Drysuit had its service and had 4 holes, a replacement zip, dump valve and the pee valve mounting replaced!)

I mostly use Fourth Element kit. Admittedly a UK design, so common on dive boats over here. A pair of old adverts sum up our diving nicely!

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That's why wool, it's the only fabric that not only wicks but maintains its insulation properties when wet.

 

[phoque]

It was a joke in response to the previous joke. Apparently, you share a name/pseudonym with a (apparently not so) "famous" British pornographic actor...

 

[KDAD]

@phoque Apparently you share a name/pseudonym with a pornographic action (and a seal)...

 

[Storker]

I have the Fourth Element J2 Baselayer set, but I might pick up a merino set, as I am sure it will be cheaper than a second set of the J2.

Do it.

A thin wool base layer, a suitable basis weight synthetic undersuit (I have two, one for balmy conditions - that is 10-15 degrees C water - one for wintertime - that would be 4-7 degrees C water) and you're good to go. Unless you do extended deco, then it might be an idea to invest in a heated vest.

You will get damp from perspiration.
You will have leaks.
You will have floods.

When - not if, when, that happens, you'll thank every deity you can think of - and a few more - that you decided to use a wool base layer. Because nothing but wool can keep you reasonably warm when you're either flooded or soaked in your own sweat. A drysuit isn't a drysuit, it's a mostly-dry-most-of-the-time suit.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

@BoundForElsewhere

I’m not sure if that’s an insult or not!

Absolutely not. You've got cajones. And fortitude. I give you props for your perseverance when you got laid off.