All of our customers and people we see on boats know that I dive “Dry” most of the year. I get teased all the time, I’m called a pansy and a wimp. Ok, so I am a girly girl, but I do love diving year-round. The water in the winter is beautiful, diving at its VERY best!
A dry suit is an investment, just like your wet suit was. Yes, they do cost more, but you can truly use a dry suit year-round. All you have to do is adjust the weight of your undergarments. I wear heavy ones in the winter and very light weight in the summer. Spring & fall I have medium weight garments. The joy of a long dive on a crisp December day and coming to the surface and knowing that the wet suit people will be bundled up and I can sit out on the stern of the boat and be nice and toasty warm is priceless. So many of our customers say that they just cannot dive past September due to the cold water, and cannot get back into the water until June. They miss out on lobster season, gorgeous visibility and diving when there are fewer people on the boat.
There are a few types of dry suits; trilaminate and crushed neoprene. I happen to like the neoprene, it dives like a wet suit. Other people prefer the trilaminate, they tend to be sturdier. You can have the suit made with hard sole boots, neoprene socks or latex socks. Depending upon the foot covering you choose will dictate what kind of socks you wear.
When you buy a dry suit, we go over a number of things, including the temperature of the water you will be diving. We will also take a number of measurements and will then be able to recommend a specific brand of suit. When the suit shows up we move to the pool and a dry suit course then on to the ocean to dive! We will show you what to do if you flood and how to use your inflator and dry suit for your buoyancy.
Extend your bottom time; you do not get cold. Extend your diving time; dive year-round. Enjoy diving the best time of year, winter when the water is clear, the viz is fabulous and there are fewer people on the boat & in the water!
Until next time, DIVE SAFE!