Dry suit

Dry suit
U.S. Navy divers in contamination dry suits preparing to dive
UsesEnvironmental protection of underwater divers, boaters and other people who may be immersed in water.
InventorAugustus Siebe (1837)[1]: Ch1 
Related itemsDiving suit, Wetsuit, Survival suit, Hazmat suit

A dry suit or drysuit provides the wearer with environmental protection by way of thermal insulation and exclusion of water,[2][3][4][5] and is worn by divers, boaters, water sports enthusiasts, and others who work or play in or near cold or contaminated water. A dry suit normally protects the whole body except the head, hands, and possibly the feet. In hazmat configurations, however, all of these are covered as well.[6]

The main difference between dry suits and wetsuits is that dry suits are designed to prevent water from entering. This generally allows better insulation, making them more suitable for use in cold water. Dry suits can be uncomfortably hot in warm or hot air, and are typically more expensive and more complex to don. For divers, they add some degree of operational complexity and hazard as the suit must be inflated and deflated with changes in depth in order to minimize "squeeze" on descent or uncontrolled rapid ascent due to excessive buoyancy, which requires additional skills for safe use.[7] Dry suits provide passive thermal protection: Undergarments are worn for thermal insulation against heat transfer to the environment and are chosen to suit expected conditions.[7] When this is insufficient, active warming or cooling may be provided by chemical or electrically powered heating accessories.[1]: Ch1 

The essential components are the waterproof shell, the seals, and the watertight entry closure.[1] A number of accessories are commonly fitted, particularly to dry suits used for diving, for safety, comfort and convenience of use. Gas inflation and exhaust equipment are generally used for diving applications, primarily for maintaining the thermal insulation of the undergarments, but also for buoyancy control and to prevent squeeze.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Dry suit diving was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Piantadosi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Brewster was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Nishi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Thalmann was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference High risk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Barsky was invoked but never defined (see the help page).