Finding the Right Scuba Diving Wetsuit

Choosing the best wetsuit is tantamount to giving yourself that full-geared up confidence to engage in a worthwhile scuba diving experience. Wetsuits offer various degrees of thermal protection for the body while underwater with its synthetic neoprene material that may be outfitted with spandex fibers to provide additional flexibility. Here are just a few helpful topics to help you in your search and purchase for this scuba gear:

1. Finding your Wetsuit Style. Wetsuits are available in full-body, three-fourths (only half of the arms and legs are covered), and two-piece styles. The three-fourths or 'shorty' wetsuit is practical for use in warm waters while the two-piece wetsuit will fit cold water dives. If you are an occasional, recreational diver, shorties will be a good choice. But if you intend to make a career or occupation out of diving, getting a full body wetsuit will give you the flexibility to don it in both cold water and warm water dives. Of course, there are retailers offering custom-made wetsuits for those with deeper pockets. When cut to your size, the wetsuit guarantees utmost comfort, better insulation and flexibility.
2. Evaluate your Diving Needs. A wetsuit should snuggly fit your body to heighten flexibility as you move underwater and insulation to protect you from chilly temperatures at the depths. Neoprene is the standard material for wetsuits and are available in thicknesses of 2mm to about 9mm. Nonetheless, you should check the thickness that you are most comfortable with. In most instances, wetsuits carrying a thickness beyond 5mm can get real bulky underwater to put a dent on overall flexibility. When that happens, the prospect of efficient insulation loses its meaning if the material constricts movement.
3. Maintaining the Proper Condition of Your Wetsuit. There are available cleaning agents and desalters to keep your wetsuit spic-and-span after each dive. This will rid the wetsuit of salt, prevent perspiration from sticking to the material, deodorize the garment and extend its useful life as well. As much as possible, dip your wetsuit in a tub filled with an enzyme-based cleaner and hand wash it carefully; particularly avoid messing up the backstitching of a wetsuit. Don't forget to mist it while drying outside but be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight. Similarly, hang the wetsuit in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight when storing them.