Suit for water swimming - a wetsuit is a necessary equipment for diving or spearfishing. It can be of three types: wet, dry and semi-dry. When choosing a wetsuit, you should focus on certain criteria.
Instructions
Step 1
If you are planning to purchase a suit for short-term diving in warm water (+28 degrees and above), then you should opt for a T-shirt and shorts made of neoprene with a thickness of two to three millimeters. When diving for a long time or swimming in cold water, a wet wetsuit may be more appropriate. Thanks to this, the swimmer can stay under water for a long time and not freeze at the same time. A wet wetsuit perfectly retains its heat-shielding properties even with cuts or minor damage, since it is not initially waterproof.
Step 2
When choosing a diving suit, consider the material from which it is made. Neoprene is the main and best material for making wetsuits. Its advantages are: equal extensibility in different directions, softness and excellent heat-insulating properties due to air bubbles located in micropores. To ensure ease of donning and greater mechanical strength of the wetsuit, the neoprene is backed with fabric.
Step 3
When choosing a suit, keep in mind that its heat-shielding properties mostly depend on the tightness of the fit to the body and its thickness. The thicker the wetsuit, the more protection from the cold, but this limits the swimmer's mobility and requires a lot of weight to keep the suit buoyant. For dives to deeper depths, the thickest suit should be used, as the heat-shielding properties of the material deteriorate under water pressure. Gloves, thin socks and mittens can be used in addition to the suit.
Step 4
Zippers and fasteners on a wetsuit deserve special attention. Regardless of their location, remember that, on the one hand, their length and presence can have a positive effect on the convenience of taking off or putting on, but on the other hand, this negatively affects the thermal protection of the wetsuit. If the zipper is located at the back, then the zipper should be equipped with a strong and long tape for self-closing and opening.
Step 5
Pay particular attention to areas of the suit that are subject to wear - elbows and knees. At these places, additional linings should be present, vulcanized or glued to the protected areas. For diving enthusiasts, dry suits with an open face and hands are suitable. This diving suit has cuffs on the sleeves and a neck seal for better sealing.
