Ever use a drysuit?

[GasX]

I was in the pool on Thursday night trying out my new drysuit. Definitely a different experience than a wetsuit - that is for sure. I complicates bouyancy control and if you aren't used to it can send you into an uncontrolled feet first ascent - especially when you are also diving for the first time with your brand new BCD. Anyway, I am going to Dutch Springs tomorrow to complete the required dives for my drysuit certification. After that, I am hoping to get out to one of the New Jersey wrecks before the charter boats shut down for the winter and then go Ice Diving in the new year.

Master Scuba Diver Rating, here I come!

 

[LennyZ]

i dove dutch springs for my certification,i use a drysuit only on my jetski.
eventually i hope to use a drysuit,lots of wrecks to explore in NJ.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: LennyZ
i dove dutch springs for my certification,i use a drysuit only on my jetski.
eventually i hope to use a drysuit,lots of wrecks to explore in NJ.

So you have a drysuit with no valves, right?

 

[Gravity]

I used one 10 years ago. It was a viking if memory serves. You must be careful about the bouyancy. As an instructor, I usually dive heavy by 10-15 lbs anyways so add a few more and you're safe. The only real threat is coming up and about 35-15 feet where the pressure really backs off and the air remaining in your suit begins to expand rapidly.

I'm sure you've already been told, swim up, don't count on your BCD or your suit to get you to the surface and dive with a tad more lead than you need. You'll figure it out.

The last dive I made in a dry suit was in Tobermory. Not sure who's idea it was but it was just plain crazeee!!!

Gravity

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Gravity


The last dive I made in a dry suit was in Tobermory. Not sure who's idea it was but it was just plain crazeee!!!

Gravity

That supposed to be some great wreck diving!!

I am a budding Joisey wreck diver myself...

 

[WinkOsmosis]

What is a drysuit? Is it just completely sealed, because I thought wetsuits were like that.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
What is a drysuit? Is it just completely sealed, because I thought wetsuits were like that.

A wetsuit is tight to the body but water flows in and out. The neoprene of the wetsuit insulates you against the cold. A thicker wetsuit is a warmer wetsuit...

OTOH, a drysuit has seals that (theoretically) keep all of the water out. Insulation is provided by the clothing you wear under the suit and the air you put in it.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

My dad used to use a drysuit. Though, the rental place rented him a Large WOMEN's once instead of MEN. He, not realizing this, dove with this rather snug suit anyway and through his shoulder out. That kind of put an end to diving for three years. 😕

I've never enjoyed drysuit luxury, but I dive (or dove) the Cali coast. I imagine if I was diving in NJ I'd get certified right quick. 🙂

 

[Gravity]

Originally posted by: GoodRevrnd
My dad used to use a drysuit. Though, the rental place rented him a Large WOMEN's once instead of MEN. He, not realizing this, dove with this rather snug suit anyway and through his shoulder out. That kind of put an end to diving for three years. 😕

I've never enjoyed drysuit luxury, but I dive (or dove) the Cali coast. I imagine if I was diving in NJ I'd get certified right quick. 🙂

Dude, the cali coast is the shizzle!!! I cut my teeth at beaches from malibu south even into mexico. I learned all about surf exits/entrances before I became an instructor or rescue diver. I also survived for a year on eating only what I caught from the sea, well about 6 months anyways. Octopuss are tough, garibaldi's a little scaly but everything else we caught was very yummy. Ahhh...those were the days!!

Gravity

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Gravity

Originally posted by: GoodRevrnd
My dad used to use a drysuit. Though, the rental place rented him a Large WOMEN's once instead of MEN. He, not realizing this, dove with this rather snug suit anyway and through his shoulder out. That kind of put an end to diving for three years. 😕

I've never enjoyed drysuit luxury, but I dive (or dove) the Cali coast. I imagine if I was diving in NJ I'd get certified right quick. 🙂

Dude, the cali coast is the shizzle!!! I cut my teeth at beaches from malibu south even into mexico. I learned all about surf exits/entrances before I became an instructor or rescue diver. I also survived for a year on eating only what I caught from the sea, well about 6 months anyways. Octopuss are tough, garibaldi's a little scaly but everything else we caught was very yummy. Ahhh...those were the days!!

Gravity

So sleek, so fair!
What a joy to meet!
We only wish
to catch a fish,
so juicy-sweet!

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Originally posted by: Gravity

Originally posted by: GoodRevrnd
My dad used to use a drysuit. Though, the rental place rented him a Large WOMEN's once instead of MEN. He, not realizing this, dove with this rather snug suit anyway and through his shoulder out. That kind of put an end to diving for three years. 😕

I've never enjoyed drysuit luxury, but I dive (or dove) the Cali coast. I imagine if I was diving in NJ I'd get certified right quick. 🙂

Dude, the cali coast is the shizzle!!! I cut my teeth at beaches from malibu south even into mexico. I learned all about surf exits/entrances before I became an instructor or rescue diver. I also survived for a year on eating only what I caught from the sea, well about 6 months anyways. Octopuss are tough, garibaldi's a little scaly but everything else we caught was very yummy. Ahhh...those were the days!!

Gravity

Aren't the Garibaldi protected??? There are a lot of funky little kelp bass and stuff you can always spear though. Abalone was big before my time; my dad would bring them home all the time. They pretty much all but disappeared a few years ago (mostly) due to some disease. And the skilled diver can always nab some lobster. One dive (off Santa Barbara Island, I think) I saw a pair of HUGE Black Gruper. Those were pretty wicked, I'm pretty sure they're protected too. Of course, if you were crazy and did decide to spear a 5 foot fish for some reason it'd take you for quite a ride.