Wetsuits
Wetsuits are made from neoprene and designed to provide exposure protection by allowing a thin layer of water to enter the suit and be trapped between the neoprene and the diver’s body.
This water is soon warmed up and, depending on the thickness of the suit, this can keep the diver toasty for anything from 45 minutes upwards. Suits come in various thicknesses, usually from 3mm to 7mm, though there are some thinner examples, down to 1.5mm.
Designs of wetsuits in these materials ranges from shorties, which cover the torso and thighs, full-suits, which as you’d imagine cover the entire body, and two-pieces, which often comprise a full-suit and then a shortie, giving added insulation around the torso.
These different thicknesses and styles can then be matched to the temperatures the diver will be experiencing. Which thickness and style is used does depend on the individual diver’s tolerances, but for a rough guide, most tend to use a 3mm full-suit in temps from 25°C upwards, and a 5mm full-suit in temps from 20°C-25°C.
Any lower than that you will need a drysuit, but others will use a 7mm till it gets down to 16°C or so.
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