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