How To Drysuit Dive Like A Pro

magmadive.is/ If you are new to dry suit diving and want to know how the professionals do it, sit back, relax and watch this personalised bare bones tutorial on how to get ready, enter the water and finally dive inside a drysuit. The video features, pro diver, David Ramsay from Magmadive, a tour company that specialises in cold water dive trips and expeditions around the country of Iceland.
In the first half of the video, takes you through the basic steps to putting one the correct way and provides hints and tips to make you feel safer and more confident underwater. You'll see David dress from start to finish, highlighting areas such as thermal body protection, neck seals, valves, gloves, zips and various bits of gear that drysuit diver wear underwater. Just for laughs, you see the cameraman helping David get ready!!!
Then, in the second part of the video, David plunges into the Great Lake Thingvellir, where biting 2°C volcanically filtered glacial water flows in from silent groundwater springs, stretching the visibility as far as the eye can see, and at this particular spot, its about +100m (357ft).
IMPORTANT!!! Lastly, just a reminder to thrill seekers and individuals that want to tick their bucket lists. Do not attempt to dive in Iceland without the proper training, equipment and expert guidance from a reputable company. The water is much cooler than places like Thailand and the Red sea, so being sensible and wearing a dry suit makes the experience more comfortable. Remember that its better to be warm and dry than wet and cold. Here in Iceland we live and dive inside our dry suits, they are a way of exploring the many lakes, cracks and coastal areas without running into trouble. Good luck and happy diving!

[@professoroctavian7493]

That neck seal was totally doubled up

[@travisd1000]

Looks like your cameraman had no clue what you meant when you asked them to check the neck seal :)

[@Magmadive]

+Travis Dixon You're right, he's my brother and hasnt got a f*cking clue about drysuits - he's a noobie like you

[@TV2016Channel]

Travis Dixon it's almost as cringy as an awkward handshake, damn

[@detcader_]

Travis did you look at Dixon’s channel? (I’m not trying to start a fight, just a question).

[@theoriginalonion7545]

Travis Dixon 🤣🤣

[@enzopreme]

No clue whatsoever, nor did he know how to put a camera down and keep the subject in frame. Lol

[@michaelammon2348]

Hats off to you my friend; this is exactly how I prep for most every dive. I am primarily a solo/highly self-sufficient and Wisconsin Shipwreck diver and your video “give or take a minor detail here or there “Is how it is done. We dive very deep and cold here in Wisconsin, USA and let me say, I will use your video to illustrate to other potential beginning Drysuit divers, that the little extra effort in Drysuit diving prep that is required to dive in this fashion, opens up a whole new world of diving comfort and adventure that can’t be beat. Here is my personal dive list of philosophical rules that I follow, I hope helps others….. 1st Have a consistent and linear routine of pre-dive checks in place, and never deviate from them. 2nd Do not compromise when it comes to thoroughness and pre-dive checks. Time is irrelevant. 3rd Never, Never! assume things” Certainty “ is the best dive partner you with ever have.

[@Magmadive]

Well Michael, that certainly is a great ethos. Excellent attitude and strong sense of pride. It would be nice to meet you and dive with you. I will be at DEMA show in Nov if you are there. [e-mail]

[@hornypervert3781]

Michael Ammon get a hard suit. Much better.

[@jackg.7745]

Michael Ammon #4 Never dive alone. He wasn’t solo diving. Someone was filming him. I’m as self sufficient as any experienced diver out there but I never dive alone. Even a newbie on his first dive can signal for 911 if something goes south. Plus, for me, it’s a lot more fun to have someone to share the experience with.

[@Yggdrasil42]

@@jackg.7745 I think he filmed himself and put the camera on the rocks.

[@Len_M.]

@@jackg.7745 Solo diving seems too risky imho, if you have a dive buddy it’s just like a battle buddy in the armed forces, you always have someone there looking out for you, and if you need someone/something they are right there for you. If you managed to get complacent and something happened and you are alone, if it isn’t something immediately fixable, death is there with you too.

[@dekechemist]

As the first hit in my youtube search for dry suit diving, this is a great video. Thanks to Magmadive Iceland, you did a wonderful job. However, I did gave me a to-the-bone chill looking at the amount of extra equipment that have to be rigged up. I'm a beginner diver in tropical water.

[@brittcoates2385]

Quality information! I appreciate the time and effort you put into making a training video for other peoples use. I was hoping you would talk about dump valve and inflator valve maintenance. Very well presented information. Anyone who says otherwise is insecure and wanting to run down others people to make themselves feel better.

[@waynethompson9824]

Your cameraman didn't have a clue about the aim of having no folds in your seal, and you had folds

[@berniedenis9343]

Great video for beginners. Been diving since 1976 wish we had you tube back then. Was always taught to put the weight belt on LAST. That way if you need to dump it in emergency it won’t get caught up in anything.

[@scubatrinni]

Thank you, I am brand new at drysuit and have not even tried mine yet. I am VERY happy to see this video. Fyi I have been diving for 16-17 yrs and now want to snorkel with the Orcas. And stay water and more comfy in places like Galapagos. Excited about the possibilities now ! Thanks again. Lots of good tips here.

[@shizukagozen777]

With the orcas ??? 😭😭😭🖤

[@finsnapper]

To set the automatic dump valve - open valve fully - close during descent - when buoyancy is achieved at greatest depth open until bubbles come out then back two clicks. It will be set from this point forward. Also one other point, if you have to disconnect your inflator hose and its under your arm you will lose it. A better position is through the D rings on your BCD, that way if it jumps out of your hands as it so often does, you will know exactly where to find it again. Good video apart from that. :)

[@harrodharrod5239]

I was taught under your arm and then under BCD shoulder strap. Kinda tricky to squeeze it through there, but it's not going anywhere

[@MultiHunterOne]

@@harrodharrod5239 The best way to do that is to stand next to your rig, put the hose under the strap, first plug yourself in and only then don the BCD, starting with the left arm. The hose will be already plugged into your suit by the time you're wearing the BCD and you don't have to search for it and try to squeeze it under the strap.

[@scubacollie2083]

Not meant as a critisism, as i'm sure it was just missed due to the video, however don't forget guys to check the spg whilst test breathing the regs for any drop in pressure (drop in pressure on the spg whilst breathing the regs = valve not fully open), they may breathe fine on the surface with a valve not fully open, however down at depth will be an entirely different story........

[@johnnywilhelm2736]

Scuba Collie also make sure to make a habit of turning your valve fully open people!

[@JordanMQ25]

As a newbie, I had to google SPG. I'm assuming it means submersible pressure gauge.

[@user-do5ug7qs6u]

You wait until in the water to do that when diving in cold weather

[@legopachycephalosaurus6825]

www.PSXCARE.com Really? My instructor said to always check before the dive and then check with your buddy as well before but I guess in cold weather it’s different.

[@iranicus]

@@legopachycephalosaurus6825 Depends on the instructor and which diving association they are with, I'm currently doing my Ocean diver with BSAC and we are taught the same as part of the BAR buddy check prior to getting in the water. To each their own though.

[@ScubaDiverMan711]

8:04 I can tell you’re a professional when I saw your goggles behind your head

[@chrishackers]

I Can't believe how clear the Viz was awesome!

[@Magmadive]

+c hack clear as it gets mate! good for teeth whitening and sex drive! Ask tom cruise!

[@mariaschoenfeld]

Great video! Thanks so much! I am about to undergo my dry suit specialty and I am so much looking forward to it!

[@benoitespinola3861]

Cool video. Shows the basics of dry suit diving... about how hoses go, I do it differently, but we have to keep in mind that depending on the setup the hose routing might be different (for instance double tanks you get pressure gauge on both sides, and it is good practice to check both)... I have tendency to try to keep the spare octo hose under my arm and the main octo over my arm... But in the end, it is down to each person's routine (except some conventions such as weight belts)... I strongly advise any watcher of this video to go through a dry suit course if they decide to dive in a regular basis with a dry suit (and join the course BEFORE you buy the suit, and buy the suit right AFTER the theory and BEFORE the open water dives following the recommendations of your instructor)... CMAS, NAUI have specific courses, and so does PADI... You get to try out the "rocket man" and you get to know how to estimate how much weight you need for a dive (it varies according to your under suit). Is it true that we cannot bring our own gear to go diving in Silfra (to prevent contamination from stuff that would be carried from another dive spot on the foreign gear)? I am considering diving there and I have to consider weather or not it is a good idea to drag all my gear (including my dry suit, except my weight belt and tank)... What are the best dive sites in Iceland in your opinion?

[@benoitespinola3861]

Two by the ways... 1) To dive with a dry suit like a pro you need a lot of practice... and it's a good idea to practice next to someone with experience that is willing to have you as a balloon during the dive (and knows what to do in that case)... I had some CMAS P3 divers going with a dry suit for the first time and they went in rocket man mode turning into a nice balloon... I eventually helped them to empty the suit (in that case he was under weighted, as air has been consumed his buoyancy went positive and he had air in the suit... up he goes, air expands, exponential effect.... So, for the rest of the dive I grabbed a couple of rocks and gave him, he was a bit embarrassed as he has a longer dive log than me)... So it's not about your experience, dry suit diving is starting from 0, it is really different from wet suit diving... 2) subscribed to your channel... Iceland is one of my projects... So is Greenland, Faeroe Islands and Svalbard...

[@revivalworship]

Nice vid Thank you! Just got SSI dry suit certified over the weekend. At 65, the older I get to the colder I get. heheh!

[@annaaldridge1312]

100% appreciation for this video! Yours sincerely, Potential Drysuit Diver, Cape Town ;)

[@tmorg123]

Great video, I'm from the U.S , I would love to dive Iceland .

[@TheLovizan]

Hahaha "there is no correct way of puttning your hood on"? I put it on backwards once,with 6 of Swedens instructor trailers watchning . very funny....

[@李文生-h1f]

,

[@corneliuspildershmidt]

nice spit at the end

[@lmlmd2714]

*cut to the flowers*

[@Lionheart2323]

cool video. i just recently decided to make the switch from wetsuits to dry suit diving. now i just have to get my dry suit diving specialty! and then fun

[@kahotamph]

why am i watching this video during covid-19 semi-lockdown? Can't wait to go diving.

[@1badsteed]

buy the gear, go in public like that! HAHAHA Be safe

[@mommasond]

Whoa you make it looks easy, beautiful background view!

[@outdooroutpost6061]

Absolute stud!! Great video brother !!

[@tomvanzanten479]

Thanks for the video and effort mate. Appreciated.

[@knightclan4]

Great job mate! I just got my first drysuit this week.

[@knightclan4]

Excellent video

[@joelucky1662]

Thank you so much for the video, very detailed! Perfect!

[@nesy3634]

Respect to the cameraman too!

[@s39020]

Wow! fantastic video, high-quality images, high-quality information, bravo! Keep up the good work. Thank you for sharing.

[@SeattleRingHunter]

Nice video, if you don't mind me asking what modifications did you make to your WaterProof Drysuit and what model do you have. Did you converter it over to ISS Integrated Silicon Seal system? If so what system did you choose?

[@searching4279]

Awesome tips Thank you

[@data_1236]

Does anyone know which undersuit was used here? Looks good and wanted to check for some details about it

[@benjaminhawkins1129]

Thanks for sharing how you don your gear and showing how it'd all set up for your dives. Much appreciated. Gave me a couple good ideas!

[@boatmanbermuda7255]

ive just seen your video .. you are a cool guy with relax way of delivery. well done mate

[@hubbamarsh70]

I am just starting my PADI open water and I found this very interesting many thanks for this video👌

[@snorttroll4379]

what would a good setup be for wind surfing?

[@sashaarutyunov7178]

The dive computer in the car : hello darkness my old friend 😢

[@batgirl6945]

Best video on drysuit diving out there!!! Great information!!! I hope to see you in Iceland!!!

[@dynastyfin3835]

Very nice talk through. You don't wear ankle weights, & what camera do you use under water?

[@jaxksth9mas557]

Very very warm

[@elliottoppenheim6683]

...or dive in the Caribbean or the Red Sea or in so many other venues where the water is warm...Nice video!

[@Magmadive]

Thanks Elliot, you da man.

[@khalidmohammadi835]

Thanks for the vid mate! Just what i needed!! Keep it up.

[@hf1497]

Interesting seeing how others configure their gear. Would so dig diving in Iceland

[@peterskaarup8353]

Greatest drysuit "how to do" ever. Thanks :-)

[@robbiemurderingminion2556]

What about getting the air out your suit before you put weight belt on and I would also recommend put your left arm through first so you don’t catch your valve on the bcd/wind strap.

[@kevingumfory]

I dive in the waterproof d7x. It cost the price of a kids first car. Ill never dive another brand ! I'll likely never have to replace it. It's a lifetime rig. I've been in 40 degree water in it. It was a miserable dive. The 3 ppl in scubapros bailed. I lasted 40 mins solo. I've since upgraded undergarments. Nice vid.

[@bctclassvideo8025]

I dove the Canadian St Lawrence. Water temp was 4°C. My mouth muscles froze so much that my reg kept calling out. How do you stop that from happening.? Also - love your dry suit! Can you give me the name of it? You mentioned the name in the video too fast to understand by the way, thanks so much for this video. So helpful!!

[@snorttroll4379]

in case the suit leaks, could you use a wet suit in stead of an air layer?

[@looloolama]

I lost it when the gigantic fucking carabiner appeared out of nowhere XD

[@marianserban5958]

🤣🤣🤣

[@rgorji]

Nice video. Well done. Enjoyed it very much.

[@Magmadive]

Thanks mate

[@rgorji]

Welcome. Someday I will be able to visit your beautiful country.

[@goodandsons]

Great Video, I like the gloves being attached to the suit, makes for really warm hands....

[@QuickQuips]

Really helpful and informative. Nice to see DIR too.

[@Magmadive]

Appreciate that bro

[@HosseinShafeghati]

Thanks, very informative. In what circumstances do you put air in the suit? If you get cold or for buoyancy?

[@henrygoleau]

As you descend, the water pressure increases and the suit compresses and it squeezes you to the point that it can become quite uncomfortable or even painful. Adding a little bit of air prevents that squeeze.

[@Len_M.]

@@henrygoleau as he said, also to trim for buoyancy… if you ever happened to puncture or have a problem with the bladder in your BCD, you can inflate your drysuit to ascend also.

[@parmorama]

Brilliant tutorial, thank you very much 👍

[@adamsherif]

Great video thanks

[@PoppaCrowe]

Good video, Thanks !

[@МихаилДайв]

You are a Very Good Diver ! It is very interesting that You DO ! ! !

[@jacko_about]

cool vid. I'm using a dry suit with front zip, so my need of help from my buddy is a little smaller :) I like the way you put your pressure gauge. cheers!

[@GooMulti]

Why did you remove the integrated undersuit?

[@colecorbett3349]

Curious about this, too. I also have D1.

[@Blubpaule]

I've seen it interfere with the dump valve

[@mynytdiver9617]

water looks amazing

[@cycleSCUBA]

What's that attached to the upper part of the cylinder 9:40 ? A tube or cable coming out the top.

[@immaculateboy]

Love that dry suit! Sorry, what was the make/model of it? Links? You've earned a sub btw.

[@diveinstructordaniel1095]

Waterproof D1. Check out the waterproof D7X for a newer version 👌🤙

[@thousandwater]

Only one valve on your tank? What will you do when your first stage is frozen?

[@BoogieDoobie]

This guy is a true hero :D

[@kasperk679]

No, just an happy diver...

[@ToppDogg73]

I thoroughly enjoyed that vid.. Nice one!! Thanks for sharing.

[@AriefLatif]

Very nice intro to drysuit set up. Curious that your backplate did not seem to have a crotch strap. Is that by design? Thanks again for the great intro.

[@jungsomewhat]

Thanks for enlightenment on the braces..... honest I always just used um for keeping legs up while I was getting into suit never thought to tighten them for better fit, what a knob I am, good on ya ...

[@MrsColose]

Hi, how cold is it there? I was not recommended to control regulator before it meets water. It happens to me when I broken this rule it became frozen, so I needed to surface immediately. Water T was 4, around zero in the air, in Sweden, in December

[@Freekiter17]

Hi good video. What the Brend you suit?? Best regards

[@AquaTech225]

What suit is that one? Pre modified?

[@zakaria600]

Drysuit diving is like recreational diving, but for real OG 💪👌

[@dmjohnson2014]

What glove liners are those? I can't find them.

[@iglitchygamer419]

A quick question for you. How do you stop the drysuit from crushing you underwater without overly adding air to it

[@AnaCorreia]

as you descend and it gets tighter, just slowly add more air until it feels comfortable. its not anything overly complicated, its real simple, you just have to feel it as you go. if you feel yourself floating up, then you inflated wayyy too much. just tap it once or twice as you go down every few feet

[@thecontemporarydiver505]

Aww, you had me! I was enjoying the video, liking the content, enjoying the view, hitting the Like button and the subscribe...and then I saw your fins! Those fins!! I take it all back!!!!! Hahaha, Just kidding...sorta!

[@unclegeorgescuba]

I love your videos,man!Take care!

[@florianthomas7852]

The Bismarck reference triggered all my feels :(

[@eftihismaraslis5192]

Excellent presentation ,very pro, He reminds me a very good instructor i had .Safety first ! Double check everything ! By the way it looks like a great product.

[@user-ul9sb9kx7n]

Nice rig

[@psode27]

Nice video, I'm evaluating drysuits currently. Honest question, whats with the fins? They look REALLY weak. is there an advantage I'm unaware of? I'm ditching my split fins because in favor of some stronger ones. Thanks.

[@privatedipshit3290]

Hollis f1 fins are great

[@Len_M.]

Dive rite has some pretty good fins too (XT Fins).

[@miks8]

Cant believe the camera man would screw you over that bad!! :D He didnt check the neck seal at all and it actually did look like it had doubled a bit in one spot...

[@DiotPollente38]

hi ! thx for the video. i will start my drysuit training soon. Just one question about weight belt. Can it be problem to use it ? It doesnt block the air in your legs ? Or doing a air bottle neck between legs and chest? Thanks for your advice and nkce video. BR

[@AndrewStick77]

No, it doesnt. I use both, weightbelt and BCD weights. Because I take 16kg (water +3 Celsius under ice in Russia)

[@Magmadive]

Using a weightbelt is a good way of add negative force to go underwater. However, it is very important not to wear to much. And very important to position the weights evenly around the belt. Concentrating to have more weight towards the front of the diver. An excellent way to add more weight are small trim pouches. Or a tank strap wrapped around the bottom of the tank with two extra kg weights. I will be doing a follow up video 'HOW TO DRYSUIT DIVE LIKE A PRO 2'. I will go into much more detail and show you guys some top tips. Cheers David

[@sebastianzielinski458]

Yours configurations is difrent... You have many outstanding wires and big holder for your flashlight. They generate trouble under wather :) Beautiful place where you dive :) Good luck diver! :)

[@ammaramin5397]

What must be the temperature of the water?

[@terrydishman3274]

Thanks for the video.. very informative.. what brand and model was your drysuit?.. looks like very good quality

[@DontEatFibre]

If anyone else ever reads your comment, the suit is the Waterproof brand - Suit model: D1 Hybrid. I don't think it's manufactured anymore, but a newer version is the D1X.

[@deepdiversi5913]

How is it custom? thinking of doing the rating.

[@DiveHunter]

Is it a compressed neoprene drysuit?

[@rentaldetectors4397]

When measuring for your dry suit. Should you wear your under layers while measuring?

[@rildn7]

Cool video Man !

[@Hakim1998iversen]

What size do you use if you are wearing the clothes underneath the dry suit and is there a dry suit that doesn't need two people to put on?

[@Yggdrasil42]

A suit with a front zip can be closed by yourself.

[@Orrinn123]

I live in Iceland and I am very interested in diving so I get some diving videos in my recommendations and I found your and I can see you are in Iceland :O

[@geraldrivard5767]

David this a rocking place 2 get wet, but it's a bit brisk.Where exactly is this site. Might want to try it out. Happy safe diving from new England usa gerry.

[@Yggdrasil42]

Gerald Rivard It looks like Silfra in Iceland.

[@pnwdiver1734]

how did you setup that drygrove system on that Waterproof D1?

[@charlottegreen5677]

I’ve learnt a lot now I can dive like a pro

[@jackg.7745]

Very nice set up but self donning is the only way to go. Thanks for sharing.

[@alexisoliveras7341]

There is some suit that the water dont get in contact with youre skin?

[@infinitezion3678]

Cool

[@cheaplaffsarefree]

Does "camera man" not have a name? Few things I noticed: -- placement of SPG? -- giant suicide clip on the right for the torch? -- no crotch strap? -- old-school weight belt ? These things aside, it looks gorgeous. Is it all single-tank diving? Is that a steel cylinder you're using? How long do your dives run, on average?

[@EverydayZach]

what camera are you using under water? crystal clear! great vid!

[@PROSTO4Tabal]

You making good videos. Make some more of them.

[@matttaylor9971]

Thanks for vid hows the vis 👌🤘👎