| Thermal Protection | | | | the warmer you'll stay. Also, your |
| While most divers are putting their | | | | wetsuit will decrease heat loss by |
| scuba equipment into winter storage, | | | | minimizing the water's movement across |
| others are gearing up for a season of | | | | your skin. This is why the wetsuit's |
| cold water diving. It's a great way for | | | | cut, fit, stretch, seals, and fasteners |
| you to remain active in the sport | | | | are important. |
| throughout the year. But, in order to | | | | A dry suit is the next most common item |
| remain a contented and safe diver, you | | | | of exposure protection. It works in much |
| need to know about thermal protection. | | | | the same way as a wetsuit, except that |
| How the Cold Affects You | | | | it keeps you dry. A dry suit insulates |
| Being exposed to cold conditions has an | | | | your body by trapping air between your |
| effect on your blood's circulation. | | | | skin and the suit, instead of water. |
| Usually, blood flow to your skin and | | | | As you descend in the water, your |
| appendages is diminished in favor of | | | | wetsuit compresses because of the |
| keeping your vital organs warm. The | | | | water's pressure. This compression of |
| reduction in circulation happens | | | | the wetsuit reduces your buoyancy and |
| gradually over the course of a dive or | | | | thermal protection. The biggest |
| multiple dives. Because of the impaired | | | | reduction in your wetsuit's bulk and |
| blood flow to your body's appendages, | | | | insulating protection occurs in the |
| finger dexterity is reduced. This can | | | | first thirty-three feet of water. There |
| lessen your ability to perform certain | | | | is no way to make up for the lost |
| skills such as mask clearing, and the | | | | insulation once you're in the water. |
| capabilities to adjust straps and belts | | | | Compensate before the dive by putting on |
| or operate snaps and clips. | | | | extra layers of thermal protection to |
| Moreover, it is thought that the body | | | | meet the demands of your diving |
| tissues of the skin and extremities will | | | | conditions. |
| have a reduced off-gassing due to the | | | | Choosing the proper exposure suit is an |
| decreased blood flow. Thus, you will | | | | important part of planning your dive, |
| have a higher risk of decompression | | | | whether or not you use a wetsuit or dry |
| illness (DCI). | | | | suit. By logging water temperatures, |
| Also, when your body is cold during a | | | | depths, bottom times, and thermal |
| dive, your rate of breathing increases, | | | | protection information, you'll put |
| which means your rate of air consumption | | | | together a statistical reference work |
| increases, too. As a matter of fact, it | | | | for future dive planning. |
| will almost double. You'll end up using | | | | Five Strategies For Preserving Body |
| more air from your tanks in less time | | | | Heat: |
| than if you were doing the same dive | | | | For a more comfortable and ultimately |
| under warmer conditions. Furthermore, | | | | safer dive follow these tips for |
| you'll have to end your dive with more | | | | conserving body heat. |
| reserve air in your tank. For example: | | | | Stay warm before the dive. Heat loss is |
| if you normally end a dive with 200 psi | | | | gradual and can start long before you |
| of air, you'll need to end with 400 psi. | | | | get to the dive site. |
| 200 psi might not be enough if you're | | | | Stay warm between repetitive dives. |
| cold and your air use has increased. | | | | Standing around in wet gear between |
| The effects of being cold and minor | | | | dives can add to your body's deprivation |
| problems could climax into a real | | | | of warmth through evaporative heat loss. |
| emergency. | | | | |
| How A Wetsuit Works | | | | Get warmed up as soon as possible after |
| A wetsuit is the most common item of | | | | a dive. You can start on the dive boat |
| exposure protection. The purpose of a | | | | by toweling off and getting into dry |
| wetsuit is to insulate your body and | | | | clothes. |
| minimize heat loss. Wetsuits operate by | | | | You can develop hypothermia without |
| trapping a layer of water between your | | | | immediately recognizing it. When |
| skin and the suit. The heat from your | | | | choosing your exposure suit, err on the |
| body warms up the layer of water, which | | | | side of thermal protection. |
| helps you retain your body's | | | | Become an educated consumer. Visit your |
| temperature. The thickness and quality | | | | local dive shop and have them show you |
| of the wetsuit material (usually | | | | the different styles of protective |
| neoprene) determine the suit's ability | | | | garments and accessories. Don't be |
| to insulate. The thicker the neoprene, | | | | afraid to ask questions. |