Drysuit Undergarments: What I Wear

[@coreybaldwin989]

Glad you made this one!! I have been tryin to figure out what garments i needed for under my suit.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Corey baldwin, glad you found our video helpful.

[@mrchriscarleton]

Hey-o from Canada! Hit the quarry on Sunday. 33F up top but a nice 45F down below. I swear by my Fourth Element Arctics under my DS!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Chris Carleton. Sounds like a nice chilly dive. Fourth Element make some amazing gear. I spoke with some of their staff at DEMA a couple of weeks ago. Great gear.

[@landgin3781]

Nice Christmas tree. Happy holidays buddy

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Same to you Calvin, hope you guys have an amazing Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[@cw3132]

I really enjoy your videos and have learnt much from them. Thank you. Have you made any videos on how to deal with urinating in a dry suit. Diapers, types vs P valves. I’m looking for my first suit and wondering if you have any thoughts on this. I am struggling with the concept and it has delayed my purchasing. I was able to get through dry suit training without “incident” but it was always on top of mind. Thanks again.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello CFan CFan, great topic. Unfortunately, we have not made a video on that, but its a struggle that we all face. I will definitely put that on the list of up coming videos. I have been very fortunate to never have lost it in my drysuit, but I have came close before.

[@ts440s]

Always a great video, thanks for sharing your vast knowledge.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome john, glad you liked the video.

[@dustinronnie4227]

Does neoprene dry suits normally suppose to fit tighter? I have a Scuba Pro neoprene dry suit and with a thin layer on it fits more like a wetsuit, But in 40 degree water I’m very comfortable.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Dustin Ronnie, yes they do tend to fit more snug than a shell based suit. Depending on the manufacture, you can get custom fittings of loose, snug, or semi snug.

[@reneezmuda]

7 mill neoprene with sweats and sweatshirt is what we use all year long up in the Pacific north west

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

A lot of our divers that wear Neoprene Drysuits will do the same, sweats and sweat shirts.

[@firefoxjb]

Sounds comfy, i was thinking fleece leggings. For extended wear and long dives how does one deal with possible bathroom issues? I want to try a drysuit but they look like a accident waiting to happen.

[@tomvanzanten479]

Would swim shorts and a t-shirt in 24 degrees Celsius water be sufficient?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Each diver will have their own tolerence to water temperature. For me, I would be in at least a 3mm at that temperature.

[@tomvanzanten479]

@@LakeHickoryScuba I'm sorry for the confusion my wording has caused, I meant as clothing items under a membrane dry suit.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Sorry I miss read the comment. I would probably wear sweat pants to keep the Drysuit from rubbing your skin. Hope this helps

[@tomvanzanten479]

Hmm, good point. Thank you for your input.

[@Monarch15w]

I dive a pinnacle evo 2 dry suit tri-lam I am in the market for a new undergarment. Currently just have polar tech fleece top and bottoms from Cabelas/Basspro on looking to get something just as warm but with less bulk. With the Cabelas stuff I need a base layer plus the polar tech in 60-55 degree water. Was looking at the four element attic or the waterproof mesh tech? Any thoughts? Wanted something warm but less bulky

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Monarch15w, Fourth Element make great undergarments. I have recently switch most of mine over to ScubaForce USA. Very lightweight and flexible, and very warm. www.scubaforceusa.com/

[@TheLifeOfMattJackson]

Really good to know that bro! However, I’m with John on the semi-drys. What are you thoughts? Heard a lot of do and fonts with them and I just got one. Any thoughts?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hey Matt, I still own and use several semi drysuits, one of my favorites being the Scuba Maxx 7mm semi drysuit. It has a preattached hood, which I am a huge fan of. I personally think they are a great option for someone that is on a budget, or doesn't want to go through the hassle of training on a Drysuit. I do prefer them on hot summer days, when I am only going to be making one dive, but yet I am going to the bottom of a quarry or lake where it is cold. Being slightly damp at the end of the dive doesn't bother me if its hot outside. Hope all is well.

[@TheLifeOfMattJackson]

LakeHickoryScuba ok, awesome! Thanks for the info! Everything is great, hope all is well with you and happy early thanksgiving!!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Same to you. Don't each to much turkey, you will get fat like me.

[@jalbert9613]

Do you prefer your neck seal or be glued to the suit or, a quick replacement system like Si Techs quick neck seal system? Even your opinion on neck and wrist seal systems.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

I like a replaceable seal, unless its a neoprene seal. I personally use Si Techs Quick Seals on both my neck and wrist seals on my Tri-laminate Drysuit.

[@jalbert9613]

Thank you Brian.

[@alexisoliveras7341]

There are some drysuit that the water dont get in contact with youre skin in any way?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

This is true.

[@Joshua-ri8cu]

XL 3mm wetsuit worn under my 4mm XXL 4mm SEAC dry suit.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Joshua, we have several divers in our area that will wear wetsuits under their drysuits as well.

[@briandhuff]

When you're doing Public Safety work, you have to use a dry suit as in it's a law/rule/regulation, or it's a preference?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Policy and personal choice. There are times when I still use a wetsuit. Basic evidence recovery (knife, gun, etc.) in shallow water.

[@ts440s]

For myself below 75deg F is cold, I currently have 3mm suits and would like to know what you think of semi drysuits such as the Hollis Neo Tek? Being very tall and thin I routinely start to shiver aft about an hour in 80deg water in a 3mm.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello john metyk. Semi drysuits, or what I call gasket-ed wetsuits are another great tool a diver can use for cold water diving, who may be on a limited budget. For years I would always take a semi drysuit up north with me when I went Ice Diving, as a back up to my Drysuit. Even though I would use it as a back up, it does not mean that I would not use it any other time. A proper fitting semi drysuit will keep you warm even in colder environments, just as a proper fitting thick wetsuit would. I personally still own a ScubaMaxx 7mm semi drysuit, and it has the hood reattached, which I am a huge fan of. The biggest reason I choose a Drysuit over a semi drysuit is, after the dive I am still dry and warm. Even with a proper fitting semi drysuit, I tend to get a little damp. In the summer time I do prefer the semi drysuit for deep quarry diving, because being wet at the end of the dive feels good against the hotness of the sun. My suggestion to you John, would be to check out the companies that make custom fitted semi drysuits, like WetWear, and you will be 1000 times more comfortable and warmer. They use a material called Rubatex neoprene instead of standard neoprene. It has limited compression at depth, and is 100% waterproof.

[@ts440s]

@@LakeHickoryScuba Thaks, no experience with other than neoprene and I seem to always be cold. I will check them out.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Ask for Connie, she is the owner. Tell here Lake Hickory Scuba sent you.

[@Litehamer]

Love the theme tune of this video . Love your channel and if I ever find myself in the USA, I hope to take a course with you. I’m new to diving and want to dive here in the U.K. . I would like a dry suit as the water here is cold. I can’t figure out the matter to go for or why they are used for different diving types

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Litehamer, we would be glad to train you if you were here in the states. Dry Suit selection is very similar to mask selection. Choose which one works best for you, and which one suits your needs for the dive.

[@leerigby5735]

Great video - not sure how it got a thumbs down...

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks Lee Rigby, glad you liked the video.

[@Larutus]

This is useful, I'm from the caribbean so I would have idea how to start.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Larry Holder, glad you liked out video.

[@totallyscuba3613]

Thank you for this video. I am looking at buying my first dry suit and wondering if you have any advice. I would like to stay with Mares and was interested in the new kevlar suit. What are your thoughts?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Kyle Keith, I would love to say that the Mares XR Drysuit is all that, but unfortunately, we can't get them to ship them from Italy. I personally use the Comfort Zone Scuba Signature Suit (Neoprene), and the OS Systems Telus (Tri-Lam). My suggestion is to go with what your local shop sales as they can really help you out in sizing and adjustments.

[@totallyscuba3613]

My local dive shop sells Mares and Pennicle. I was just thinking since I am working on becoming an instructor that I should dive in what the shop sells or does it really matter?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

We agree with you Kyle, wearing what your shop sales is always a great idea. Unfortunately, Mares dealers here in the States can not get the Mares XR Drysuit unless they order it through a third party. We are a Platinum Dealer for Mares, and have been trying to get them for 4 years now.

[@totallyscuba3613]

That’s a bummer but I appreciate your information and love your videos. I love to learn about all aspects of diving I can. Keep up the good work!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

If you ever have a suggestion for a video, or have a very specific question that we can help you our with, please do not hesitate to ask.

[@danielvanderblij8007]

It would be nice if you also referred to Celsius degrees since the rest of the world use that.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello daniel van der Blij, we will try our best to do that in the future as well. Thanks for commenting.

[@esanchezp]

33C in Ontario is unheard of...

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello E. Sanchez, we hit 91 degrees (F) pretty regularly here in the south.

[@esanchezp]

@@LakeHickoryScuba in that case would be nice to point out that the temp in question is in F and maybe even mention its value in C as well. Unless you expect your viewers be all American only. Thanks for the clarification

[@jah309]

Thoughts on wearing adult diapers to get more time out of your dive?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello JA H, this option is a popular option for the divers that do not have pee valves installed in their suits, as it is cheaper. We very recently installed a pee valve into my dad's drysuit, as he wasn't a fan of wearing diapers. Most of our salvage team now have pee valves installed. It all comes down to comfort. Though one is cheaper than the other, it tends not to be the most comfortable during a dive.

[@snorttroll4379]

Does one pee in a double valved chamber or does one lie on ones back like a fountain?

[@Eolodasilva]

Nice video. 2:22 inhale🤣

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks Antonio Miguel Guerra Da Silva, glad you liked it. Its holiday season, with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, I couldn't inhale enough to get rid of my gut. LOL

[@DSheafz]

NeopreNe. NeopreNe. NeopreNe.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Daniel Sheaffer, it must be my accent. LOL. Thanks for the correction.

[@youtubehandle_kate]

The one thumbs down was the guy who peed in his dry suit.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Now that is funny right there.

[@KB-gd6fc]

You have your Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving. Unsubscribe

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Kyle B, sorry you didn't like the video and that you have unsubscribed. Nevertheless, thanks for watching our video and commenting.

[@KB-gd6fc]

@@LakeHickoryScuba Im kidding, Brian! Love your channel and I appreciate the content you provide :)

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Threw me off their for a second. This is actually my parents house. But even at my house, we have our tree up as well. We love Christmas and tend to get an early start on decorations. Ironically though, we haven't put one up at the Dive Center yet, that will happen next week.