Wet Suit
Wet suits are made of closed-cell
foamed neoprene and are 3-12 mm thick. They prevent the body of the diver
from overcooling and minor injuries such as those caused by pricking on
corals. The neoprene suit consists of pants, jacket, boots, gloves, hood
and vest. It also might be a cami-knickers. Wet suits can be used when
diving in water no colder than 15,6 C degrees.
Some suits have an inner
layer of nylon which prevents them from tearing and makes them easier to
be put on. The disadvantage of the wet suit with nylon is that if cold
water enters it, it might cause a chill to the diver.
The thicker the neoprene
is, the warmer it keeps. However, thick neoprene makes the movements of
the diver more difficult.
Dry Suit
Dry suits are made of waterproof
materials and worn over a wet suit or other warm-keeping clothing. The
dry suit can be filled with air through special valves. It also can be
emptied through an exhaust valve. Well-trained divers can control their
buoyancy by controlling the suits’ valves. The dry suit is used for cold
water diving when the temperature is near the 0 C degrees.
Below you can see a type
of diving dry suit which is worn in dirty, toxic waters. It consists of
a helmet, attached to the main dress by means of a clip. This piece of
diver’s clothing is used to avoid direct contact with water. It also protects
industrial divers from injuries during their work with instruments and
tools.
Variable-Volume Neoprene Suit
These suits are the same
as the dry suits but they are made of closed-cell foamed neoprene with
an inner and outer layer of nylon. They are used in the same way as the
dry suit but in colder waters.
Open-Circuit Hot-Water Suits
Open-circuit hot-water suits
use hot water to prevent the diver from chills. The hot water has the same
effect as the hot-water bottle. Water flows through small tubes and keeps
the body warm. When the water gets cold, it leaves the suit through a valve.
The open-circuit hot-water suit is made of passive insulation materials.
Closed-Circuit Hot-Water Suits
These suits are the same
as the open-circuit hot-water suits but use a definite amount of water
which circulates and is constantly rewarmed. |
