The wetsuit is the accessory that symbolizes today's scuba diving, along with fins and a tank. They have come a long way since their earlier days of suit pioneers like the O'Neill brothers and their Santa Cruz surf suits to being made from a combination of neoprene rubber and synthetic fabrics. Wetsuits today contain a combination of a wide variety of fabric weaves, designs, colors, and different types of material densities. There are loads of brands to choose from, each offering their own unique properties on one of the most important parts of the scuba divers outfit, especially if diving in temperate or moderately deep waters is planned.
History
Rubber skins were what the first wetsuits were made of. These were worn to keep in heat and protect the skin. They soon gave way to more advanced suits made of neoprene, whose cellular construction allowed air and water to be trapped allowing heating that was better than rubber. However, the early editions of neoprene had its downside. It became easy to tear and quite a struggle to put on. Often dressing required applying talcum powder to the inside of the suit. After several generations, breakthrough lines such as Sharkskin and Turtleskin brands added a layer of nylon sheeting to the inner suit and textured surface to increase strength and durability.
Combinations of Lycra and other synthetic materials replaced nylon sheeting in modern wetsuits. Brands such as Pinnacle Aquatics featured combinations of titanium weaves and natural Merino wool to increase durability, warmth and reduce odors. To protect sensitive spine and neck areas, and have reinforced knee and elbow pads to protect the diver against chafing against rocks and coral heads, these modern wetsuits used layers of thicker materials.
How It Works
There is one basic principle of the wetsuit; water flows into small pores of the neoprene foam of the suit where it is trapped, it is then warmed up by the body heat and energy of the diver. This layer of warm water then acts as a thermal suit by keeping the cold water from getting to the skin. Wetsuits are actually designed to let water come into contact with the skin, unlike the dry suits which are sealed to keep water out. When temperatures range from 40 to 60 degrees, the average dive temperature, wetsuits are preferably used because there are hardly any intense temperatures for the body to be protected from. Dry suits are used for low exceedingly low temperatures to protect the body from potential freezing.
Wet Suit Types
There are many different types of wetsuits besides the well-known full suit. "Shorty" suits have full torsos, but do not cover the entire leg and arm areas. These suits are good for warm water conditions, where the main issue is maintaining body heat at greater depths. The "Farmer John" style (now less popular than in the late 80s when it was invented) has a thickened "pants" layer that goes up around the shoulders, but doesn't cover the arms; this type is good for surfing applications where knee protection is important. In addition, there are now specialized "thin suits" for competition swimming and light dive applications; these suits offer streamlining and abrasion protection more than they do temperature control.
Wetsuit Hoods
Over 25% of body heat is lost through the head; this is why hoods are a very important accessory to a full wetsuit. The same materials that make up the wetsuit are often used to make the hoods, but the hoods are thicker to prevent loss of heat around the head. To protect against a gush of cold water down the beck most hoods have long bibs that tuck within the neck of the wet suit.
Wetsuit Booties
Even though some wetsuits have integrated feet, most use separate booties that are drawn up over the legs of the wetsuit. These are usually corrugated and reinforced to allow divers to stand or push off against rough surfaces.
The Gloves
Another important addition is the Gloves. They must not only protect against cold water but must also stop sharp coral and rocks from damaging the skin. Diving gloves also have textured fingertips to help in handling gear or other objects during a dive.
Summing Up
Ever since its early primitive rubber casing days in the early 1950s, the wetsuit has come a long way. Wetsuits will continue advance and offer divers many new options for their diving experience with new materials and special computer-aided designs. - 15266
History
Rubber skins were what the first wetsuits were made of. These were worn to keep in heat and protect the skin. They soon gave way to more advanced suits made of neoprene, whose cellular construction allowed air and water to be trapped allowing heating that was better than rubber. However, the early editions of neoprene had its downside. It became easy to tear and quite a struggle to put on. Often dressing required applying talcum powder to the inside of the suit. After several generations, breakthrough lines such as Sharkskin and Turtleskin brands added a layer of nylon sheeting to the inner suit and textured surface to increase strength and durability.
Combinations of Lycra and other synthetic materials replaced nylon sheeting in modern wetsuits. Brands such as Pinnacle Aquatics featured combinations of titanium weaves and natural Merino wool to increase durability, warmth and reduce odors. To protect sensitive spine and neck areas, and have reinforced knee and elbow pads to protect the diver against chafing against rocks and coral heads, these modern wetsuits used layers of thicker materials.
How It Works
There is one basic principle of the wetsuit; water flows into small pores of the neoprene foam of the suit where it is trapped, it is then warmed up by the body heat and energy of the diver. This layer of warm water then acts as a thermal suit by keeping the cold water from getting to the skin. Wetsuits are actually designed to let water come into contact with the skin, unlike the dry suits which are sealed to keep water out. When temperatures range from 40 to 60 degrees, the average dive temperature, wetsuits are preferably used because there are hardly any intense temperatures for the body to be protected from. Dry suits are used for low exceedingly low temperatures to protect the body from potential freezing.
Wet Suit Types
There are many different types of wetsuits besides the well-known full suit. "Shorty" suits have full torsos, but do not cover the entire leg and arm areas. These suits are good for warm water conditions, where the main issue is maintaining body heat at greater depths. The "Farmer John" style (now less popular than in the late 80s when it was invented) has a thickened "pants" layer that goes up around the shoulders, but doesn't cover the arms; this type is good for surfing applications where knee protection is important. In addition, there are now specialized "thin suits" for competition swimming and light dive applications; these suits offer streamlining and abrasion protection more than they do temperature control.
Wetsuit Hoods
Over 25% of body heat is lost through the head; this is why hoods are a very important accessory to a full wetsuit. The same materials that make up the wetsuit are often used to make the hoods, but the hoods are thicker to prevent loss of heat around the head. To protect against a gush of cold water down the beck most hoods have long bibs that tuck within the neck of the wet suit.
Wetsuit Booties
Even though some wetsuits have integrated feet, most use separate booties that are drawn up over the legs of the wetsuit. These are usually corrugated and reinforced to allow divers to stand or push off against rough surfaces.
The Gloves
Another important addition is the Gloves. They must not only protect against cold water but must also stop sharp coral and rocks from damaging the skin. Diving gloves also have textured fingertips to help in handling gear or other objects during a dive.
Summing Up
Ever since its early primitive rubber casing days in the early 1950s, the wetsuit has come a long way. Wetsuits will continue advance and offer divers many new options for their diving experience with new materials and special computer-aided designs. - 15266
About the Author:
Ed J Price has had a marked interest in Scuba Diving for several years. For more information on wet suits, check his online website today.
