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