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A water sport enjoyed by a lot of people around the globe, scuba diving takes place almost anywhere that has water and something to see below the surface. The best scuba diving occurs in crystal clear waters alive with rich marine life, from the breathtaking turquoise waters of the Bahamas to the modest shores of Alaska and Australia. Scuba diving is not a cheap sport, as it requires scuba diving equipment that may be a little heavy on the pocket. However, this equipment is what make the sport possible as well as safe and non-health threatening.
One piece of essential scuba diving gear is a scuba diving wetsuit. It is important to take note that the fun and enjoyment of scuba diving stops once the body starts to get chilled underwater.
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Remember that temperatures below certain water depths become very cold, which will cause body heat loss and can lead to serious health threat (hypothermia) without the appropriate suit to protect it. Water takes away heat from the body about twenty times faster than air This means that at a certain temperature it has a bigger cooling effect and even a seemingly warm water temperature of 86°F can become unpleasantly cold after a while.
Scuba diving wetsuits provide the necessary suit material thickness to preserve body heat and avoid hypothermia for insulation in water as cold as 50°F to as warm as 86°F. The scuba diving wetsuits vary in selection depending entirely on the environment one intends to be diving in. The most important features that one should consider when choosing scuba diving wetsuits are warmth, comfort, and especially the fit.
How do you choose the right fit of scuba diving wetsuits? Always consider the thickness of the material that is needed in your scuba diving site because it will be the determining factor to your body warmth and comfort underwater. A lot of scuba diving wetsuits are sold with thickness of 3mm or 6mm, which are sufficient in most water temperatures of dive sites.
Another important factor to consider is the type of wetsuit needed, such as short legs and sleeves, and long legs and sleeves. The appropriate choice would depend on where the diving takes place, your personal tolerance for changes in temperature, and the temperature of the water.
Water temperatures will help you decide on the thickness and length of the wetsuit needed; diving in waters above eighty-five degrees needs a 2mm short suit, while diving in waters of sixty to seventy degrees needs a 6-7mm long suit. And of course, your own body characteristics and preferences are also essential for choosing.
The materials of which the scuba diving wetsuits are made are also important. The most notable types of neoprene that wetsuits are made up include gas blown, skin, and titanium. Gas blown type of wetsuits is a more expensive but stronger type, while a chemical blown suit has a softer feel but results to a quicker wear out, although less expensive. The titanium wetsuits are the most expensive choice because they either have a titanium coating for the inside or as woven threads through the suit. The idea behind is that titanium is supposed to keep the body warmer by preventing heat from leaving the body.
Lastly, when choosing the size of wetsuits, be sure to check that there are no big gaps in the armpits, the ankles, wrist, and crotch of the suit. The suit needs to be warm and snug. If it is loose, it may compress and painfully pinch your skin at depths greater than one atmosphere and it will let water will get in which will chill you quickly. Finally, if the zipper needs to be held to close it, then it may be too small and at least one size bigger is advisable. On the other hand, if the zipper zips easily and is not snug, try a smaller size.
Scuba diving wetsuits are an essential piece of scuba diving gear, so take your time in choosing one, and make sure to you get the best fit for the best protection underwater.
