Exposure suits

Introduction

Care and cleaning

Introduction
The main function of these suits is to isolate and reduce the body’s heat loss. At the same time, the suit also protects the diver from animal contact and scrapes against rocks.

There are three types of suits:
The wetsuit is the most commonly used suit. Given the fact that this suit allows water to seep through, it is imperative that the suit be tightly adjusted to the body, as the water that seeps through is heated by the body and gradually renewed, allowing for gradual heat loss.

This suit is made of neoprene fabric, a material forming a barrier that makes it harder for the body’s heat to escape. Its thickness can vary from 3mm to 9mm (the thicker the greater the protection from the cold) the most common being the 5mm to 7mm thickness. The buoyancy of this material should be kept in mind when calculating dive-weights.

The second type of suit is the dry-suit, used generally for diving in very low temperatures. Through use of a valve, air is injected into the space separating the diver from the suit, thus providing heat.
This type of suit has fixed joints in ankles, wrists and neck in order to prevent loss of air and water seepage.

The third type of suit is the semidry-suit. These have adjustable zippers and although they offer greater protection than the wetsuit, they don’t isolate as much as the dry suits.

Care and cleaning de los trajes: as with the other diving gear, the suit needs special care in order to ensure it stays in good condition:
1. The suit must be washed in sweet water after use, outside as well as inside.
2. It must be dried in the shade and kept out of sunlight.
3. If it will not be used for a considerable period of time it is advisable to store it hanging from a coat hanger so as to avoid wrinkles and folds which can cause rips or tears.