DRY SUIT

Knowing the dry suit by Fabrizio Pirrello

A dry suit is a special type of wetsuit that keeps the diver dry while underwater.
The need to stay dry arises when diving in particularly cold or polluted waters or when diving in less than favorable weather conditions.
The dry suit Conceptually, it should keep the body dry but not necessarily keep you warm. In some cases, and depending on the material used, a dry suit can also provide some thermal protection.



Thermal protection is provided by another specially designed garment: the thermal undersuit. Structurally, a drysuit is a one-piece garment with seals (latex or neoprene) at the wrists and neck, and integrated boots. Access to the interior is via a waterproof zipper, which can be metal or polyurethane. A drysuit should never be snug, as it must allow for clothing underneath to protect against the cold and wick moisture away from the body. Precisely because of the loose fit, the air volume inside the drysuit will contract as the depth increases; this compression must be compensated for to prevent the suit from collapsing on the diver (i.e., becoming suction-filled). To this end, drysuits are equipped with an inlet valve to introduce air into the suit during the descent/compression phase, and an exhaust valve to allow air to escape during the ascent/expansion phase.


The two valves are designed to work in tandem, and the exhaust valve must allow a greater flow of gas than the inlet valve. Valves can have different shapes and profiles, but the operating concept is very similar across different models.
The internal joints of drysuits must be sealed to ensure long-term watertightness. Sealing procedures vary, although the ultimate goal is the same.
European standards require minimum requirements that manufacturers must meet.
These minimum requirements are included in CE EN14225-2:2005, the reference standard. CE EN 14225-2:2005 specifies minimum performance requirements for the components used and for assembly/sealing.
Regarding the adhesives/solvents to be used, there are specific regulations related to the toxicity of certain components that prohibit their use in the EU (but not all dry suits on the market are manufactured in the EU).
Good practice requires that contact between the adhesives, even when dry, and the body be avoided.
Some manufacturers tape the assembly seams of dry suits, while others use polymer sealants, and still othersThey use high-frequency welding or vulcanization.
Different methods for different fields of application.
An unwritten rule adopted by the best drysuit manufacturers is to minimize the number of panels used to assemble the suit. Experience has shown that the number of panels needed to build a dry suit is eight (fewer seams equals less risk of water infiltration).
The position of the dry zipper depends on the suit model, although the most common designs are: shoulder-to-shoulder zipper, diagonal front zipper, and horizontal front zipper.
The built-in boots are evenly distributed between soft pre-compressed socks, paired with a separate bootie, and neoprene socks with varying degrees of rubber coating.
It's a matter of personal preference, as it's impossible to determine a priori which solution is best, if any.