"Scuba Diving Equipment"
Semi-dry suits
Semi-dry suits are used typically where the water temperature is between 10 and 20 °C (50 to 70 °F). They are effectively a thick wetsuit with better-than-usual seals at wrist, neck and ankles.
The seals limit the volume of water entering and leaving the suit. The wearer gets wet in a semi-dry suit but the water that enters is soon warmed up and does not leave the suit readily, so the wearer remains warm. The trapped layer of water does not add to the suit's insulating ability. Any residual water circulation past the seals still causes heat loss. But semi-dry suits are cheap and simple compared to dry suits. They are made from thick Neoprene, which provides good thermal protection. They lose buoyancy and thermal protection as the trapped gas bubbles in the Neoprene compress at depth. Semi-dry suits can come in various configurations including a single piece or two pieces, made of 'long johns' and a separate 'jacket'. Semi dry suits do not usually include boots, so a separate pair of insulating boots are worn.
Dive skins
Dive skins are used when diving in water temperatures above 25 °C, 77 °F. They are made from Spandex and provide little thermal protection, but protect the skin from stings, abrasion and sunburn. This kind of suit is also known as a 'Stinger Suit'.
Hot water suits
Hot water suits are used in cold water commercial surface supplied diving. An insulated pipe in the umbilical line, which links the diver to the surface support, carries the hot water down to the suit. The diver controls the flow rate of the water from a valve near the diver's waist. Pipes inside the suit transport the water to the limbs, front of the torso and back of the torso.
Semi-dry suits,Dive skins,Hot water suits
