- Dry suits provide more warmth for scuba divers than standard wetsuits. Unlike a wetsuit, dry suits are made to prevent water from reaching a diver's body. This is accomplished through the use of a watertight zipper, a neck and wrist seals and integrated boots that are sewn into a dry suit. However, dry suits tend to be more costly and bulkier than wetsuits. Special training is also required to use dry suits.
- In addition to watertight zippers and seals, dry suits are equipped with an inflator and exhaust valves so divers can add air or release air for comfort and to control their buoyancy. Many dry suits are designed so that divers can wear insulating undergarments for added warmth. Wetsuits do not come with these features.
- A standard wetsuit will usually suffice for individuals who will be making one or two dives in a tropical setting where the water temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. But dry suits are better for water temperatures below 65 degrees. Dry suits can offer benefits in warmer waters for situations that may lead to thermal loss, such as deep, repetitive or unusually long dives. Dry suits also are desirable for underwater photography or marine study when a diver stays motionless for lengthy periods. Lastly, dry suits keep divers from getting chilled when entering or exiting the water on cool days.
- Since dry suits trap air against a diver's body, training and practice are required to learn proper buoyancy techniques and emergency procedures. Divers also need to be taught how to choose and care for dry suits.
