Scuba Wetsuit – Protect Yourself From The Elements By Using Your Scuba Wetsuit
Today the wetsuit is one of the most important piece of water sports equipment. Without wetsuits, the world of water sports would be extremely limited. In fact the expanding popularity of scuba and snorkeling are as a direct result of this great invention.
What happens when you use the wetsuit, is that it allows some water to enter your suit. This water gets trapped between your body and the wetsuit thus forming a protective layer between your skin and the neoprene suit. Although in the beginning you will feel the chill of the water touching your skin, the water trapped in the suit will soon be warmed by your own body and will therefore act as an insulator. This is what makes you feel comfortable in waters which would other wise cause hypothermia.
Additional protection is also provided by the wetsuit’s material. All scuba hoodies are made out of neoprene which is an elastic synthetic material having great insulation properties. The neoprene itself is impregnated with nitrogen bubbles (neoprene foam) which are not interconnected. This is what contributes to the wetsuit’s insulation properties. Because of the nitrogen gas bubbles which are present within the wetsuit’s lining, bodily heat loss is further prevented, therefore allowing you to stay warm in colder waters.
A wetsuit can be considered as your second skin. Besides keeping you warm, a wetsuit provides you with a layer of cushioning, which gives you the necessary protection from the surrounding environment such as stinging marine creatures, corals and abrasions.
There are other wetsuit accessories which give you additional protection needed. Wetsuit hoods should be considered as an integral part of the scuba wetsuit since most of your bodily heat loss is from the head. A scuba hood is an important piece to retain the heat from your head.
Scuba gloves and scuba booties are additional pieces of wetsuit accessories which will provide you with much needed protection due to cold conditions and the surrounding environment. Even if conditions are right, I never go for a scuba dive without both these pieces of gear.
Scuba wetsuits come in a variety of styles, thickness and sizes. These different varieties of patterns and thickness contribute for greater insulation in colder waters. The thickness depends upon the temperature of the waters you will be conducting your scuba/snorkeling activity. More on wetsuit styles and thickness guides are soon to follow.