How to Use a Dry Suit

Dry suit diving allows divers to stay warm while on a dive. The dry suit literally seals divers off from the outside water. Because of this feature, dry suits are more expensive than wet suits. Despite the price, dry suits are popular in a variety of surface water sports and underwater diving.

Instructions

1. Put the dry suit on before going into the water. Double-check that all equipment is in place and functioning properly.

2. Enter the water. Go into the water feet first. Keep the outlet valve closed with a small amount of air to guarantee positive buoyancy for surface floating.

3. Check for proper weighting. Follow the instructions in the buoyancy compensation device or buoyancy aid (BCD) manual to empty the separate BCD. Open the valve and raise it to the highest point to allow air to escape.

4. Begin adding weights to achieve a weight that is slightly heavier than neutral. Add weights to compensate for air that will be lost by consuming tank air. For actual weights, see your dry suit instruction manual.

5. Start to descend. When you are ready, open the outlet valve and raise it to the highest point so the suit air may escape.

6. Add a little air to the suit after you have descended a couple of yards to relieve suit squeeze.

7. Swim at this depth. Gain neutral buoyancy so you can swim relaxed.

8. Descend further if you want by rolling onto the side from a swimming position so that the outlet valve is (right or left side) at the highest point. Open the valve so it may release some air. You buoyancy decreases causing you to slowly sink.

9. Stop your decent by returning to a normal swimming position. If necessary, add a small amount of air to the suit to achieve neutral buoyancy.

10. Control your ascent by raising and lowering your arm with the valve on that side. The outlet valve releases suit air in proportion to the amount of ambient pressure. Slow the ascent by lighting the arm with the valve so that valve is at the highest point. Gain an extra lift by lowering the arm with the valve on that side.

11. Open the valve fully to get additional venting if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Check that your dry suit is functioning at least two days before your scheduled dive.