Drysuits

	Neoprene drysuits use the thickness of the suit material to insulate the body. They are used with a thin underlayer. neoprene suits have to be a close fit so putting extra layers under the suit is not an option. In older suits the material starts to break down and causes leaks which can be hard to find.
	Compressed Neoprene Dry Suits are made from standard thickness neoprene, which is compressed making a far thinner suit. Compressed neoprene suits tend to be heavy and slow to dry they also tend to be the most expensive but are excelent profesional suits. If your weight changes a lot this could be a very expensive suit because it has to be a good fit. (remember a suit should last 10 years).
	Membrane drysuits are the most commonly used suits and are made out of a trilaminate material that's near bomb proof. Membrane suits are generally more "baggy" than neoprene suits to allow for the undersuit, which can result in greater drag in the water. The flexibility of these suits means they are the most popular suit.
	Some drysuits have a front entry zip which makes ziping up you suit yourself a lot easier, but the bend in the zip means great care is needed to look after the zip and its a more expensive zip as its longer.
	Under suits are frequently provided with a new dry suit as standard. They come in various grades from 100gm to 400gm, depending on the level of insulation you require under your suit; 100gm may be sufficient for summer sport diving, with a 200gm for winter. The thicker the undersuit the more lead you need in your weightbelt. If you are slim a higher tog rating will be reqd.
	Cuff dumps generally called a drager (although made by others) are simple valves placed near the wrist seal on the outside of the left arm. They are a simple valve and are easily maintained. The outside of the valve unscrews and you have access the the rubber seal. It can be taken out and you clean the seal and the inside of the valve and put it back together. This takes 2 min and no tools are required. These valves can be a problem when waiting for a boat as it cant be closed so you loose air from the suit.
	Auto dumps are placed high on the left shoulder and can be closed and adjusted to automatically let air from the suit vent during ascents. You can also dump air by pressing the button in the middle of the valve. The apex is a low profile valve which is good for wreck diving. Some valves stick up 40mm from the suit, which is not ideal. Divers have been reporting problems with this valve leaking check the forum
	Suit inflation valves have to be low profile and have easy access to the inflate button with dive gloves on. It should have a hose connection the same as the rest of your kit so spares are fewer. The valve should also have a LP hose with it.
	Drysuit latex wrist and neck seals. The latex seals should be slightly to tight when new as they will stretch slightly after a few weeks use. Some divers put a bottle or bowl in the seal overnight to stretch them.
	Boots are either standard wellington boots or custom made neoprene boots. Its important to get boots that fit as its expensive to change. Some suits the boots are part of the suit and repairs are really expensive.
	A neoprene wetsuit sock can be worn inside the boot to keep your feet warm and they have a Rubber grip pattern on sole which keeps your feet dry when changing on a wet day or wet boat deck. You can also get a sock made with the same material as the undersuit.
Drysuit Spares    Brass Drysuit zips         Plastic Drysuit zips     Tear aid

Summary

The type of suit you pick is up to personal preference but it should be comfortable and give a full range of movement. You should be able to lift your leg high enough to put your foot on top of a chair with your arms lifted above your head. If its a membrain suit it should be double stitched and taped on the inside and have a Zip cover. The dump valves should be placed correctly, auto dumps are placed high on the left shoulder and cuff dumps are placed near the wrist seal on the outside of the left arm. The boots should have a good sole with treds for shore diving. Always know what you are going to wear under the boots before you buy a suit. I have a neoprene wetsuit sock worn inside the boot to keep my feet warm. Choose a suit that other divers have tried and tested.

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