Tried a drysuit for the first time this week

[mtzwards]

HOLY COW!! I wish someone would have told me how awesome drysuits are!


I started diving at age 15 in Seattle. We always wore thick, 7mm 2-piece wetsuits with 3-finger gloves and thick hood. The diving is beautiful, but I just always thought that's what you had to do to dive.

I have a new Dacor 7mm suit now, and it's just as uncomfortable, cold, and a general PITA than my first wetsuit.

But, my LDS talked me into trying on an OS System drysuit after a dive club meeting last week. It fit pretty well, and sure was EASY to put on. They invited me to the pool this past Wednesday to hang with a BOW class. They even had an extra DM come to work with me.

I was shocked - I've always heard drysuits are leaky, hard to maintain, difficult to use, require a lot more weight, expensive, etc. But the suit was easy to get in (if you don't know about the unique front-entry deal OS System uses I'll explain - it's kewl).

The suit didn't leak a drop, and I didn't find buoyancy to be an issue. In fact, I think maintaining a horizontal trim was a lot easier with the suit. Sure the air bubble rolled around a bit when I got off of horizontal, but balancing wasn't difficult.

And, I wore a lot less weight than I do with my 2-piece 7mm suit.



Since I started diving, the dive itself was a race. As soon as the wetsuit is pulled up over my knees the race is on. I tend to hurry getting suited-up, getting in the water, and getting the dove over. Once I pull the suit up the only thing I can think about is getting out of it! And when we dive below thermoclines into really cold water, I tend to not enjoy being there, but hurrying to get up where it is warmer.

My 3/5/3mm suit is very comfortable, and I don't have that sense of urgency. It's the same with the drysuit - it is so comfortable that I floated in the pool for a good 45 min after diving just talking to the other divers.


So why didn't anyone tell me?! I'm so excited to order a suit. I want one in a bad way now!

[Chantelle]

Congrats! Welcome to the wonderful world of drysuit diving. :)

[wb416]

Hey wizard! Congrats on your discovery! Drysuit diving can be pretty nice. Never had any leakage issues in a drysuit (except where I installed an exhaust valve incorrectly).

The secret to diving a drysuit is to NOT use it for buoyancy (contrary to most agencies SOP). Just add enough air to loft your insulation (and keep ya warm) and use your BC or Wing for buoyancy control. This will give you better dynamic stability in the water and less to manage. You develop muscle memory that carries over between wetsuit and drysuit diving then.

Have a great time!

bob

[Far_X]

I have to agree with Bob. If you have an air bubble, you have way too much air. I was taught to use it for buoyancy. My instructor still stands by that teaching but I have long since disregarded it. Have enough air in there to prevent a squeeze and use your BCD for buoyancy. If you have the valve open (and I don't know why anyone would close theirs), it is self deflating as your ascend.

[Cold_H2O]

yep... once you go DRY its hard to go back....

Glad you finally had the chance to see what you've been missing..

[pennypue]

I Love :wub: my drysuit.

I think you'd have a hard time getting me to put on a 7mil ever again. And I ddin't dive one very much to begin with!!! ( Count me as spoiled early on :))

[BP49]

My dry suit change jar is about half full. Hope to be diving a dry suit next year. :)

[trucker girl]

You guys are killing me! I want one! I noticed up at Gilboa that me and the guy and his son I dove with were just about the only wetsuit wearers. There were only two others that I saw. Of course, once we hit the water I knew why. Still too early in the year for me. I've been contemplating the whole dry suit thing for some time but this last dive (whopping 25 minutes of ice diving...) was IT!

I am officially starting my own piggy bank. I'm sure it will take a while.

I'm not above buying used. Most of my gear is, after all. And people are less likely to pee in a dry suit so I shouldn't have that hang up (although I did buy 2 used 3 mils and haven't caught any diseases or anything)!

[dfriou]

I love my drysuit too! I bit the pocket book and got a custom fit. However, I still fight drag in the water! Tips and techniques you want to share? I probably use my drysuit only 2-3 times a year so I'm not an expert in it, however, it still beats the heavy wetsuits.

I have Rock fins but still seems like I'm moving at slow speed.

[pennypue]

I love my drysuit too! I bit the pocket book and got a custom fit. However, I still fight drag in the water! Tips and techniques you want to share? I probably use my drysuit only 2-3 times a year so I'm not an expert in it, however, it still beats the heavy wetsuits.

I have Rock fins but still seems like I'm moving at slow speed.Buy a scooter.:evil_4:

And I have "heard" of peeing in a drysuit before......:D
But that was before "someone" starting wearing Depends.
"My friend" always wears them now.:)

[Randy956]

You guys are killing me! I want one! I noticed up at Gilboa that me and the guy and his son I dove with were just about the only wetsuit wearers. There were only two others that I saw. Of course, once we hit the water I knew why. Still too early in the year for me. I've been contemplating the whole dry suit thing for some time but this last dive (whopping 25 minutes of ice diving...) was IT!

I am officially starting my own piggy bank. I'm sure it will take a while.

I'm not above buying used. Most of my gear is, after all. And people are less likely to pee in a dry suit so I shouldn't have that hang up (although I did buy 2 used 3 mils and haven't caught any diseases or anything)!

I've got a used one, a DUI CF200. Needs a zipper and wrist seals. I'm sending it to Steve Gamble for repair in a week or so. I can't wait to dive it.

[mwhities]

I love my drysuit too! I bit the pocket book and got a custom fit. However, I still fight drag in the water! Tips and techniques you want to share? I probably use my drysuit only 2-3 times a year so I'm not an expert in it, however, it still beats the heavy wetsuits.

I have Rock fins but still seems like I'm moving at slow speed.

Who did you go with for a custom suit? I want to get one but, that won't happen for a few years. I only have one-arm so I want to drive/fly out to whoever I get to do it and have them custom make me one. I guess no one could steal it and use it.... unless of course they only have one-arm too. ;)

Michael

[mtzwards]

Who did you go with for a custom suit? I want to get one but, that won't happen for a few years. I only have one-arm so I want to drive/fly out to whoever I get to do it and have them custom make me one. I guess no one could steal it and use it.... unless of course they only have one-arm too. ;)

Michael


6' 5", 230 lbs, 1 arm... I'm sure they have an off-the-rack suit for that! lol




I am considering 2 suits right now, an OS Systems which is off-the-rack and a USIA suit, which is totally custom. I'm thinking I like the entry of the OS suit and am gonna go that way.

[Randy956]

6' 5", 230 lbs, 1 arm... I'm sure they have an off-the-rack suit for that! lol




I am considering 2 suits right now, an OS Systems which is off-the-rack and a USIA suit, which is totally custom. I'm thinking I like the entry of the OS suit and am gonna go that way.

You'll have a built in storage area! Have 'em seal it off up by the arm-pit and put a sipper on the cuff. :D

[mwhities]

6' 5", 230 lbs, 1 arm... I'm sure they have an off-the-rack suit for that! lol




I am considering 2 suits right now, an OS Systems which is off-the-rack and a USIA suit, which is totally custom. I'm thinking I like the entry of the OS suit and am gonna go that way.

6' 5" 230? Who's profile are you reading? I'm 6' 6" and 320lbs. :) I WISH they would. :P

Michael

[mwhities]

You'll have a built in storage area! Have 'em seal it off up by the arm-pit and put a sipper on the cuff. :D

Believe it or not, I was trying to think of a way to do something like that. I could put my SMB in there and all kinds of fun little stuff. Maybe an underwater safe a dive kit. Ohh! How about I put a 19cf pony bottle there for OOG emergencies? Just swim by and grab my "arm". ;P

Michael

[mtzwards]

Believe it or not, I was trying to think of a way to do something like that. I could put my SMB in there ...
Michael


Heck, a detachable arm could BE your SMB!! roflmao

[mwhities]

Heck, a detachable arm could BE your SMB!! roflmao

roflmaoroflmaololroflmaoroflmao

I bet people would freak if they saw me take my arm off, clip to it and let`er rip!

Michael

[Randy956]

OMG, I'm laughing too hard.. so hard I can't see!!

[wb416]

:lmao:

[pennypue]

Who did you go with for a custom suit? I want to get one but, that won't happen for a few years. I only have one-arm so I want to drive/fly out to whoever I get to do it and have them custom make me one. I guess no one could steal it and use it.... unless of course they only have one-arm too. ;)

MichaelCould just dive with their left arm wrapped around their waist.....::p:

[mwhities]

Could just dive with their left arm wrapped around their waist.....::p:

Ohh, got me there! lol

Michael

[pennypue]

Ohh, got me there! lol

MichaelOK, but then they're going to have about three feet between the end of their toes and the sock bottom of the drysuit!:blink:

[mwhities]

OK, but then they're going to have about three feet between the end of their toes and the sock bottom of the drysuit!:blink:

AND, they wouldn't need fins, I wear a size 16 US shoe. I know, everyone askes me to use my flip flops for wake boards. :|

Michael

[trucker girl]

Buy a scooter.:evil_4:

And I have "heard" of peeing in a drysuit before......:D
But that was before "someone" starting wearing Depends.
"My friend" always wears them now.:)

"Your friend" is very dedicated. I've been discussing this issue with "my friend" and "we've" decided that Depends has got to be the way to go. After all, "her" bladder control ain't the best. Plus, it's good practice for later in life!

Now all "my friend" has to do is come up with the money!

[pennypue]

"Your friend" is very dedicated. I've been discussing this issue with "my friend" and "we've" decided that Depends has got to be the way to go. After all, "her" bladder control ain't the best. Plus, it's good practice for later in life!

Now all "my friend" has to do is come up with the money!If "your friend" would like to discuss the finer points with "my friend" let me know. I'm sure we could get the two of them together.:D

[trucker girl]

That sounds dangerous!

[pennypue]

That sounds dangerous!I'll make sure WB has bail money......

[Randy956]

the two of you have too many "friends."

:)

[pennypue]

the two of you have too many "friends."

:)You're just jealous.:evil_4: