How to Buy a Diving Dry Suit

To protect yourself while diving, or participating in other coldwater activities, you will need to wear the right kind of protective clothing. A diving dry suit is a close-fitting, double-layered, synthetic garment, which protects you with a warm layer of air between your skin and the suit. It has waterproof seals at the neck and wrists, and a hood that covers your head, to keep the cold water out.

Instructions

1. Find a retailer. Call the diving shops in your area and ask them what kind of diving suits they carry. Go to sporting goods stores and look in their diving and water sports department to see what they have in stock.

2. Decide how much money you want to spend. The quality of the suit will be a big factor in your choice. Buy a more expensive brand and the price rises, but the material of the more expensive suits will last longer. And, if you need to buy thermal clothing to wear underneath it's going to increase your cost.

3. Look for special features. Zippers made out of a good quality plastic or nylon last longer in the cold water. Inspect the seams for stitching on both sides of the material. Seams stitched on both sides of the material and then glued make for a stronger suit.

4. Make sure the suit fits you. It must be close fitting, but not too tight. A tight suit will not only be uncomfortable, it will also not keep you as warm as one that is just snug. Plus, if you can't move around with ease then it's not worth buying. Ease of movement is essential, especially while diving in deep water.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't share your suit with other people. The suit will mold to your body over time, and sharing it with someone else will change its shape, causing a poor fit to your body.

• Sun and pool chemicals can damage your suit, so don't leave it out in the sun or wear it in the pool.