THE EVOLUTION OF THE DRYSUIT

The ability to stay warm underwater has been mans greatest challenge since the inception of diving. Some of the first materials used for commercial diving in the early 1800’s were made from waterproofed canvas or rubber coated nylon. To keep the diver warm, long underwear, clothing or cotton under suits kept the diver moderately warm. The problem, they remained wet.

In the mid 1900’s, Jacques Cousteau and his team in the forefront of innovation changed the way we managed warmth underwater. One of his first creations was the famous vulcanized rubber dry suit Having no valves or means of pressure equalization, this suit proved difficult, even for Jacque. Firstly, without a gas layer in-between the suit, compression and squeeze minimized flexibility and as important warmth. They were limited to depth and temperature. However, after World War II, sport diving - - - - - - - - - - - - became very popular in the United States and thermo suits such as the dry suit and neoprene wetsuits came of age.

Neoprene became the preferred material for building exposure suits because of its superior thermo-insulating qualities and flexibly. Logically, all that was needed to stay warm in different water temperatures was to increase or decrease the thickness of the material. However, the downside to thicker neoprene was increased buoyancy and a reduced amount of plasticity. As recreational divers increased in numbers and gender, the demand for a better exposure suit was augmented. - - - Temperate water and repetitive diving created a challenge for the wetsuit manufacture. Neoprene at a depth of one atmosphere will lose 42% of its insulation capacity increasing the loss of body heat to the environment. Also, the chill factor in-between dives, makes for unpleasantly cold surface intervals because the diver is wet. Dry suits made from standard neoprene or laminated cloth seemed to be the answer, however, buoyancy and compression issues made these suits heavy, uncomfortable and inflexible. The key was to build a better exposure suit capable of thermal equilibrium without jeopardizing buoyancy, comfort, warmth and fit.

The solution was to re-design the dry suit using new innovative high tech materials that could withstand depth, keep out water and provide a gas layer between the garment and the body so thermal equilibrium and comfort could be achieved. - - - Today, Diving Concepts is one of the leaders in the design and manufacturing of these new high tech products. Diving Concepts uses Rubatex’s G-231 material, a nitrogen gas blown compressed neoprene to make their new Pinnacle series dry suits. Boasting an array of features such as streamlined fit, stretch similar to that of a wetsuit, seams tripled glued, cup-stitched and polymer sealed to protect their integrity, the pinnacle series suits are at the height of dry suit technology. To compliment the suit, new style under suits were specifically designed. These under suits are water-repellent, neutrally buoyant, wind proof and have moisture absorbing inner material to ensure maximum comfort and warmth. These suits come in three different weights to cater to changing water temperatures and body warmth. To summarize, “The challenge” sustaining comfort and warmth while reducing buoyancy has been answered by reinventing the dry suit. Jacques Cousteau would have been ecstatic to witness the evolution of his first invention. Divers can now sustain warmth without compromising flexibility and comfort. - - -Story by Matthew Liburdi