by Doug Pemberton

Whether it's a trip to the warm clear tropics or a dive in cold Canadian waters, the use of an exposure suit is either a good idea or an absolute necessity. Granted the need of a suit in tropical waters is debatable, many people get by wearing only a bathing suit and a T-shirt but water robs body heat at a rate 25 times faster than air and a 40 minute dive in even 80 degree water can leave you chilled and repetitive dives will only compound the effect. In addition to thermal protection, a suit can also protect against stings and scratches from inadvertent encounters with sharp corals or stinging jellyfish not to mention the ever-present danger of the dreaded, rogue damsel fish which delights in nipping at the hairs on your leg!

On the other hand, the need for an exposure suit in Canadian waters is obvious but the choice of materials and designs of wet and dry suits on the market can be a little overwhelming. The first thing to consider when deciding on a suit is whether a wet or drysuit would best serve your needs and this decision should be based on the amount and type of diving being done. The suit of choice for many who dive a lot in Canadian waters is a drysuit mainly because the warmth and dryness makes repetitive dives more enjoyable. However, for those who don't do much diving or more than one dive in a day, a good wetsuit may be adequate.

The purpose of a wetsuit in cold water is to keep the occupant warm and several factors must come together to accomplish this. The fit of a wetsuit is very important, it should be snug and hug the various contours of the body, but not constricting. The object is to keep a very thin layer of water between you and the suit. To minimize the amount of water that circulates through the suit some manufacturers install rubber gaskets seals in the arms and legs. When it comes to materials, there are two main types of neoprene rubber used in the construction of wetsuits. Neoprene is rubber that has been infused by millions of small nitrogen bubbles which can be introduced either directly, as a gas or as the result of a chemical reaction. Gas blown neoprene such as Rubatex G231, has been used in suit manufacture for decades. It is a very durable rubber with evenly sized bubbles throughout which minimizes compression at depth, thereby maintaining maximum possible thickness and insulation. But some people find this material a little stiff so there are now several manufacturers of chemically blown neoprene. These rubbers have uneven sized bubbles which, while allowing the rubber to compress a bit more under pressure, also makes it very soft and supple. Most rubbers also have a covering of Nylon, Lycra or Titanium-based fabric. Nylon is tougher than Lycra and resists scratches better but Lycra affords more stretch. Titanium based fabrics are used on the inside of some suits for added warmth.

If you're really set on a drysuit but want to try one out before you buy, then a drysuit course is a good idea, in fact most stores will insist on this course before renting a suit out and some stores offer an introductory course when you buy a drysuit. The course covers the various types of drysuits, proper use and care as well as some of their idiosyncrasies. It's not that drysuits are difficult to use but it does take a couple of dives to get used to them.

Drysuits can be made from a variety of different materials and are classified into two different categories. Shell suits are made of vulcanized rubber, coated nylon or trilaminate material, which is usually a sandwich of rubber between two layers of nylon. Neoprene suits are made of regular neoprene or crushed neoprene. They can also be made from any combination of the above and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Warmth is usually dictated by the amount and type of underwear worn underneath the suit but regular neoprene suits, because of their thickness, tend to require less underwear than shell or non-neoprene suits. Neoprene suits also have some inherent buoyancy. The advantage of shell suits is that they are easier to don, not as constricting and allow greater freedom of movement. They also dry faster than a neoprene suit.

Zipper placement allows for either self entry with the zipper across the chest or the more traditional design with the zipper across the shoulders. This a matter of personal preference. Neck seals and wrist seals are made of either neoprene or latex with Latex seals usually found on shell suits while neoprene suits have neoprene seals.

Henderson - Designed for the tropics the Henderson Hotskins are made from stretchy heavyweight Lycra and come in a wide variety of vibrant colours. A high collar with zipper that goes all the way to the top ensures that a minimum of water is scooped up. Built in foot stirrups.

Bare - Manufactures a full line of wet and drysuits. The Supra Arctic Full is made from 7mm neoprene lined with heat reflective material for added warmth. The one piece suit can be worn alone or with the hooded Supra Arctic vest. A gasket system on the arms and legs reduces water circulation through the suit. Also available in a jacket and john or jane style.

Aqua-Lung - Distributors of Gates drysuits. The Pro Am model is made from vulcanized rubber which has four way stretch. Si Tech valves, vulcanized rubber boots, latex seals and lifetime seams guarantee.

Tusa Imprex Hyperdry - Built of trilaminate material with Latex wrist and neck seals. Elasticized waist. Choice of lightweight or heavyweight vulcanized boots available. Optional pockets and relief zipper available. Large variety of stock sizes and colours available. Apeks valves.

Brooks - Manufactures drysuits, a full line of wetsuits and kayaking gear. Their new Brooks Sport is a 7mm neoprene drysuit with Rubatex reversing neck and wrist seals, SiTech valves, hard rubber kneepads and tennis-shoe soled boots. A 32 inch low pressure whip is included. Available in stock sizes.

Abyss - Abyss manufactures three models of neoprene drysuits. Designed for commercial divers, the Abyss Kevlar is made from 7mm G231 neoprene covered with extremely abrasion resistant Kevlar fabric. Apeks valves, BDM zipper, vulcanized rubber boots and large rubber kneepads. Convenience zippers and pockets available on request.

Oceaner - The Commercial Polar is made from 6.5mm Rubatex G231 with heavy weave or Nylon II coating. Reversing Rubatex neck seal and Rubatex push-through wrist seals. Heavy duty vulcanized boots. Choice of DSV or Poseidon valves, hood and low pressure whip included.

Triton - Manufactured by Diving Locker in Vancouver. The Triton Pro is a 6.5mm drysuit covered in double weave nylon. Choice of tuck under or push through Rubatex seals. Scubapro valves are standard. Hood included. Drysuit seminar is included with purchase.

Whites - Manufactures a wide range of wetsuits and dry suits. The 008 Pro Dry suit is available in shoulder entry and self entry models for men and women. Manufactured of 7mm Rubatex G231 with SiTech valves and vulcanized boots. Low pressure inflator whip included. Integrated straps at mid calf help to stop air travelling down into the feet. Available in custom sizing with variety of options.

Sea-Tux - The Gator Tech is a self entry drysuit with abrasion and puncture resistance almost as tough as Kevlar designed for the technical or commercial diver. Sea-Tux sport drysuits are manufactured with 6.5 mm high density neoprene, four layers of adhesive and hot air taped on all inside seams. Sport drysuits are available in all colours and the Gator Tech suit is available in black.