Scuba Diving Drysuit Features | Closer Look

Follow @ScubaDiverMagazine for all my new videos
/ @scubadivermagazine ✔️ Subscribe - kzbin.info?...
👕 Teespring - teespring.com/stores/safe-diving
🧔🏻 Instagram - / safe_diving
👍 Facebook - / thesafediving
🔔 Hit the bell next to Subscribe so you don't miss a video!
👨🏻‍💻 Watch my newest vids! - / safediving
■
When you're choosing a drysuit to buy it's a big investment and there are a lot of different features and considerations; membrane or neoprene? silicone or latex cuffs?
0:00 Intro
03:46 Ordering Drysuit
09:48 Dry Seals
14:35 Material
17:19 Entry
20:06 Zipper
22:16 Boots
23:59 Pockets
26:37 Valves
30:45 Extras
40:44 Argon
42:25 Undersuit
44:09 Fusion
45:13 Breathable
46:17 Trying On
■
Music: Sport In
Artist: Eleone
Download: audiojungle.net/item/sport-in...
■
The most important thing about scuba diving is that you do it safely. And that is what Safe Diving is all about.
On this channel, I will discuss all aspects of going underwater from equipment advice and techniques to the little things like what to pack in your bags for a dive trip.
My entire professional career has been spent in and around the scuba diving industry and travelling to diving destinations both warm and cold.
Instagram - / safe_diving
■
In accordance with COPPA laws, please note that videos on this channel are not specifically made for, or targeted at, children.
■
Safe Diving
#scubadiving #diving #scuba #underwater #ocean #dive #scubadive #scubadiver #sea #techdiving #diver #uwphotography #underwaterworld #marinelife #snorkeling #adventure #technical #scubalife #plongée #tauchen #Safe_Diving

[@sammoyers905]

HA! HA! I dove a Poseidon Unisuit for many years and hundreds of dives. (Mine was blue) You had to be a bit of a contortionist to get in it, then have a good friend zip the back and hand the zipper loop through your legs. I did many Ice Dives in it as well as Great Lakes wrecks. This was the late 70's, and 80's, and we did not use a separate BCD, the drysuit was our buoyancy control. But that was "ancient history" 🙂

[@tomegan7117]

With 6k plus views I am surprised to see only 92 comments! Comment #93. I have been qualified since 1996 and there is never an end to the learning process. This video is greatly detailed yet wonderfully clear with man-on-the-street explanation. A must view for anyone with even a passing interest in diving.... not just those looking to purchase a dry-suit. Simply Scuba is another superb channel. Bravo Mark. More content!!!

[@tomegan7117]

Waterproof D7Cordura Suit btw

[@velocityflooring]

Waterproof D1X Hybrid here. Suit is a tank! Luv it! O, with Ultima dry glove system... of course.

[@briandhuff]

Thanks for such a detailed video Mark, I had no idea there were so many options and so much involved. I think I'll stay in warm water for a while longer.

[@JonneyReay1968]

Perfect timing. My wife and I are just starting to dive in the UK. Its a bit difficult getting away ATM!! We have signed up to do our dry suit corse and its a bit of a mine field. This has certainly made things much easier. Thanks truley great video. Looking at the AquaLung Fussion may be our suit of choice so far.

[@ChristopherBurgert]

Great video Mark. I just started diving drysuits a month ago. My drysuit is a Northern Diver, it's an older version that was donated to the Dive Recovery Unit I belong to. So far it's leaked twice, but that's fixed. Now I prefer diving dry and no longer want to dive wetsuits.

[@henrygoleau]

Great video, very detailed and informative. Thank you.

[@BlueHorizonDiving]

Great informative video Mark. Love my drysuit but which it was front zip as easier for twinsets. Love my Fourth Element Arctics and still going strong after 11 years.

[@KevinSmith-hc4pc]

Great information video.

[@FALCON-nb8nq]

Excellent. thanks.

[@bena2293]

Great Video Mark you Delivery was spot on so many you tubers try to be some form of a stand up Comedian and some used car sales man sprinkled in and dam I just turn the channel but with you Real and Honest Teaching style I stayed for the full 52:10 and became a one of you Subs. Thanks Ben

[@dannyfryer4746]

I just received an Otter Atlantic HD tailored made from the guys in Bradford. Didn’t try it yet but I really can’t wait!

[@timgosling6189]

My favourite supplier is OThree at Portland. I started 5 years ago with their 5mm neoprene with rear entry and now also have a 1.8mm neoprene with front entry. Both are great, in different ways, and have reliable kept me toastie warm in water down to 5C. Interestingly I find I use the same weighting for both because although the 5mm suit is more buoyant the thinner suit needs more underclothing and has a bigger air volume inside. They do high-quality gear, tri-lam, crushed neoprene or custom, Apeks and Kubi accessories, and are used by the UK armed forces. But the key for me was the excellent customer service from first contact to routine servicing.

[@SafeDiving]

O'Three have great aftercare and their suits are great quality too. Good brand.

[@joakimfranzen4927]

Great video! I am in the process of buying a new suit and its a really hard choice to choose the right one. Its almost harder than choosing a new car. Made a test dive in a Santi E.lite Plus last week and loved it so it will probably be the one.

[@Yggdrasil42]

I have that one. It's a good sturdy suit so good choice.

[@kirkcooper8184]

Haha 😂 your explanation on Mother Nature when it needs to go it needs to go You had me in hysterics with the way you tried explaining it in a humane way 😂😂😂 I watch quite of lot of your content on here and as always very informative and explained not to in depth but just enough to understand the context Keep up the good work

[@erikhoffmann1252]

Great video. A little late for me. Recently bought the Avatar shark drysuit, it’s a new line from Santi. Great entry level suit and so far it’s bone dry. But I’m already lusting for something a little more premium, with quick swap seals

[@cavediver1948]

Mark; Another great learning video. Only thing you missed was the use of 1.5 lbs ankle weight.

[@bluemonkeybaseball]

Man your videos are top notch! Really appreciate the detail and the humor too! So I’m a public safety diver for my local Dive team and we’re all getting dry suit certified. What’s a good dry suit for both recreational diving and one that could be used in PSD? Thanks

[@philippepauwels1460]

Top video mark I got my drysuit in 2001 my first and only one it’s a dui fc200 se Stil no issues wonder how long it gone last Keep up the vids 👌

[@willsmooth45]

Okay I’ve watched this over hundred times now caaaaan youmake another drysuit video

[@mikepark5884]

Thumbs up for the near perfect Richmond imitation when talking about hoods

[@SafeDiving]

Who doesn't love a good IT Crowd reference...

[@nyax129]

An hour on suits???? Awwwww yah

[@rapha9125]

time well spend!

[@SafeDiving]

It's not really for casual viewing...

[@nyax129]

But it is for us diehards. Thanks bud.

[@sansuiso]

Thank you Mark for this very informative video! It's coming at the right time for as I've started thinking about buying my first dry suit (after renting a couple of different ones in the past). I'm looking for something that is easy to travel with, plus the fact that I did overheat on the shore while walking in full gear to the dive site once already I get from your video that I should target a membrane (ideally breathable) model, correct? Here (around the Geneva lake) a dry suit can make sense all year round, but the outside temperature can get warm in summer. With an easy to repair on-the-go seal system (so maybe going for silicon ones). We have a local brand here called SF Tech, have you ever tried one of their models? One specific question I'd like to ask you regarding travels please: does it sound crazy to consider using a membrane dry suit with little thermal layers in warmer waters, say for example a 1 week liveaboard trip in the Red Sea? Or does it sound crazy because it will be way too warm? I've read in several places that it could be an option, but I'd be happy to hear about your particular experience in this regards.

[@gray_wolverine63]

Thanks buddy I just purchased my first Drysuit by waterproof the D7X and a 4th element Artic thermo jump suit. I thought the length on the legs was long but after talking to my friend Tim at Dive Right In Scuba it's a very good fit for me and the only thing I had to do was to cut my silicone neck seal to get a perfect cut so it doesn't blocking my airwayway and that's it. I must say I made a perfect job cutting it using a 5" can and a sharp razor blade and that's it. If you have any other suggestions please respond. Thanks again buddy Dive Safe. 🇺🇲👌🏼

[@brandonburns2565]

I'm loving my Northern Diver Commercial. Unfortunately after 4 years I need to send it to have wrist seals replaced. Looking to swap seals out from neoprene to silicone at the wrist and keep neoprene at the neck.

[@kevingreen9090]

Seems like there's a whole range of drysuits in the £7-800 mark & then there's a whole set at £17-1900. Would be interested in your thoughts on what the arguments are for spending in the higher bracket. For example Alec Peirce (great channel) did an episode on regulators & what you get for £700 vs £400 & its often bells & whistles or even just coloured plastic.

[@CaseyKlaus]

I've heard corn starch will work in place of talc. Thoughts? Great video. Love this channel.

[@SafeDiving]

Never heard of using it for that, I tend to use it to thicken gravy... I suppose it would work, it has similar properties to talc and won't have any perfumes that can damage seals. Drysuit divers tend to get enough funny looks when the KY comes out, just imagine what we'll get with a bag of flour

[@kirkthejerkthe1st]

Corn starch was recommended by the manufacturer of one of my drysuits over talc.

[@christosz5]

Great video! Was waiting for that before i order mine. What is your opinion for the BARE drysuits? EXPEDITION HD2 TECH DRY or X-MISSION EVOLUTION?

[@SafeDiving]

Decent brand, nice attention to detail in what they make. They're not usually the cheapest, but they are built really well and with nice materials so they're a strong choice for drysuits.

[@dh5645]

🐠 Any advice on a warm water dry suit? I normally wear a 3 mm regular wetsuit but would like to go in a warmer direction. Thx 🐠

[@markusschranzer7837]

Hi Mark, I am looking for a new membrane dry suit and have narrowed down my selection to 2(3): The Waterproof D1X Hybrid and D7X. I like the idea of the integrated insulation in the D1X Hybrid, but personally prefer a front entry plastic zip. Now the D7X comes as Nylontech and Cordura. Compared to the Cordura, how tough is the fabric of the D1X and the Nylontech? Your profound knowledge would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

[@philippemassart1225]

I ordered a membrane Seaskin (made to my measurements) and I am happy with it. Not as flexible as some other brands (Mares XR for instance) but nice and really affordable! One question about drysuit inflation "strategy" during the dive: some prefer use only the drysuit, and keep the BCD as "backup"; other prefer inflate the drysuit for thermal isolation and avoid squeezing, but mainly the BCD for buoyancy. What's your strategy during the dive?

[@SafeDiving]

I do a bit of both, the main reason to only use one is so that if you have a runaway ascent you only have to ditch from one place. But my drysuit is automatic and my BCD gives me better trim. So I put a little in my BCD at the start, and then I just use my Drysuit. As I ascend I use my drysuit and when I need to I empty my BCD...

[@diveinstructordaniel1095]

How convenient. I’m looking to buy a drysuit 😄

[@SafeDiving]

If you're stuck between two suits and can't choose just ask, there might be a little feature that may help make the choice easier

[@diveinstructordaniel1095]

Safe Diving currently im stuck between the mares xr kevlar and a waterproof D7X there is a price difference between 400-500€ are there any „cheaper“ suits with seals that I could change myself (quick change) preferably tri or bilaminat? I mostly use my 7mil semi and I would need the suit to guide in the colder months or for special occasions.

[@diveinstructordaniel1095]

Safe Diving hey im searching for an opinion right now. What would you recommend as the top 3-5 drysuits trilaminat with Systems where I can change the seals myself. Im currently divemaster but Im doing my instructor very soon. I’m willing to pay up to 3500€ a little help would be great as my local shops only wants to sell me what’s good for them

[@SafeDiving]

D7X would be high on my list, it's tough and will last a long time. Others would be: AquaLung Fusion Bullet, nice and flexible. Waterproof D3, a lighter version of the D7. Otherwise you're looking at made suits like Fourth Element Argonaut, Santi E.Lite+, Ursuit. Just something with Kubi rings, SiTech ISS, Santi Smart Seals. But your gut choice of D7X is a good choice.

[@diveinstructordaniel1095]

Safe Diving Thank you. Then im going to order it tomorrow.

[@kevingreen9090]

Great video, any words of advice on drysuit repair? I have a compressed neoprene drysuit & followed what I understood to be the correct repair for tears/holes: inside out, black widow, patch, job done but some repairs still leaked & when I sent it back to be fixed/pressure tested they advised you need to scrape off the nylon lining before applying the glue & patch else the water just spreads through the nylon - no one else has mentioned this - thoughts?

[@SafeDiving]

It's not a standard procedure that I know of, usually Black Witch or similar is enough to close the neoprene and seal against itself. The lining is purely there to add strength to the neoprene inside which is why you use the biggest patch you can find. Removing that lining only to patch it over will improve your chances of a successful seal but I've never had to do it before...

[@slavzahariev3901]

Hi, I am buying my first dry suit and am looking for budget options. I am choosing between Scubapro Definition Dry HD, OMS oone, Solo MG by Dive Systems Italy and Alpha 2 or Beta 3 by a Polish company Sea Wolf. I am going nto use it mainly in Black sea, Mediterranean, and further south. Manly rec but some tech as well. Any suggestions, Ideas?

[@yangjie07]

That's very informative. I have difficulty in choosing between Apeks high-profile and low-profile dump valve. Any advice?

[@Yggdrasil42]

Low profile. It can dump plenty of air and is less snag hazard and looks better. The hp can dump a bit more air but if you depend on that difference you've already messed up and I don't see how you could recover from that.

[@SafeDiving]

There was a video a few years back, that I can't find now, where a guy fit each valve to a jug of water and compared which emptied faster. Maybe I'll try to recreate it... As @Yggdrasil42 says; the low profile is a bit better. Years ago there used to be a performance gap between the high profile and the low, but nowadays they're much the same. The low profile used to leak more frequently and the high profile had a faster action but this was 10+ years ago. Right now I have SiTech Argo on my drysuit if that helps, or muddy's the water...

[@joaosmribeiro]

If you had to buy a new drysuit, which one you’d go for and why? Noticed you have the fourth element argonaut, would you buy it again?

[@cryptotwt8597]

The section on bodily functions is making me think twice about drysuit diving! I might favour and adult diaper over the p-valve system! Are the Apeks KVR1 Fusion suits any good? Would be good to hear any pros & cons.

[@SafeDiving]

Yeah, I like the Fusion drysuits. They're not the easiest to get into because of all of that excess material, but once you're in the suit they're very comfortable. Only other problem I found is that the brass zipper is a bit tough to move by yourself (but I was wearing a brand new suit...) There were also rumors of a KVR2, but they're not confirmed so it may be a while

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Thanks for this article I just got my dry suit cert got a Yukon II on layaway

[@willsmooth45]

Did you get it ? Do you like it ?

[@maxtorque2277]

It IS possible to self don a rear shoulder zip drysuit, but it's both risky (you don't want to wreck your suit by pulling on the zip at an angle that isn't in-line) and it requires you to be quite supple, because you are going to have to be able to reach behind your own back! But it certainly IS possible with care :-)

[@SafeDiving]

I also knew a guy that attached a lengthy of string to his back zip. He'd shut the string in a car door to zip up and unzip himself. Not the most graceful but it can be done

[@maxtorque2277]

@@SafeDiving at that point you DEFINITELY do not want to find you've just locked the car keys in the car you are now permantly attached too....... ;-)

[@cavediver1948]

@@SafeDiving I may be that guy. I tie one end to zipper and put a loop, for outside rear view mirror. I use the reflection off the window to make the slide. To keep from getting material caught in zipper I had a piece of thin leather sewn on my weezle. You have to be careful and have the zipper well waxed.

[@stephentodd1112]

Absolutely brilliant information which has helped me loads with choosing a drysuit. Is it always the more money you spend the better the suit ? Recommend any brands ?

[@nyax129]

As he said. Apeks KVR1 is an amazing suit. Got over 500 dives in mine. First suit i ever bought and hopefully the only one ill ever need

[@stephentodd1112]

nyax129 thanks mate

[@SafeDiving]

Not always, you'll get a better finish and materials on expensive suits but a cheap suit will still keep you dry. Look at other aspects like warranties, Typhoon have a 5 year warranty against leaking seams. Right now my top 5 brands (in no order) would be: Santi, Waterproof, Whites (now Apeks / AquaLung) Typhoon, O'Three They all make great suits.

[@nyax129]

Public beat down taken. Listen to him. I fully admit im an expensive to the max gear junky.

[@nyax129]

But i still stand fully by my KVR1. Im northern canada pacific and British columbia lakes. The best part about the kvr to me is the ability to change my under layers to suit the water temp. Almost pricless. (the lakes CAN warm up nicley) plus im extremely hard on my suit. I wont admit what i have done in it but lets just say this thing can take a beating and keeps on ticking.

[@claudiaj.cacerescateriano6775]

I have an issue with my feet getting wet, I use a Fusion drysuit, no leaks. Any recommendations?

[@SafeDiving]

Could be a few things, most leaks end up in the legs and feet anyway so the leak could be coming from a range of places. One of the most common problems could be that you're moving your neck too much, stretching your next to look left, right or up can break the seal a little, letting some water in. It could also be the valves. If you've done a +ve pressure leak test over the entire suit and there is definitely not a leak anywhere, then it will probably be the neck or valves leaking slightly during your dive.

[@claudiaj.cacerescateriano6775]

Safe Diving is there any chance that could be something related to sweating?

[@claudiaj.cacerescateriano6775]

By the way, I am from Peru, you have many followers here. I think we have similar diving conditions, I mean cold water all year round. Our huge problem here is that diving is not a common sport, so we don’t have many equipment dealers and is not that easy to get gear. We love your videos.

[@raitro]

Dry suit diving changed my diving, and made me dive more, what could be better? For me the "pee-valve" is a little like the Helium valve on a diving watch. Looks veeery professional, but who really needs it? (I am not talking about people with medical conditions!). Honestly... I do not have to go for a pee every 20 Minutes. Two hours without a pee should be possible, I guess. Just pee before you suit up and then, when you come out of the water. Please do not pee in the water, especially not, if you are swimming in front of me. I know, pee is sterile, but still... :-)

[@Waldemarifyable]

Any thoughts or experience with rubber drysuits? Friend has one and he likes it because it's durable and easy/quick to patch.

[@SafeDiving]

Rubber Drysuits are tough and heavy, mainly used for commercial work or serious heavy diving where you need a tough suit but comfort is less important. Yeah, they're easy to clean, dry and patch but they're heavy and not the nicest to wear on the surface for any length of time. For rough environments sure, but for recreational diving I'd choose something more conventional.

[@tomsmith5202]

Good info but don't really agree with the hood opinion. Yes, a lot of the time you get a hood included with a suit but myself and, I'm sure, other divers see the purchase of a suit as a bundle deal in which the items the seller have offered to include are all part of the total price you paid. If they advertise a "free whatever with suit", it's not really a gift, it's part of a bundle that they've deemed cost effective to include (or not). If I want to change my hood after I've just paid £1300 for a drysuit with add-ons, the seller should try and accommodate that, even if it's just to keep the customer happy and coming back. I bought my last drysuit from O'Three and had to change my 'free' hood twice. They were not only willing but accommodating and very helpful with no real qualms about proof of purchase. Ergo, I will be going there again for another drysuit.

[@TiainenA]

Superb video! For the material section the good old rubber could be mentioned as well (Loitokari is quite popular in Finland). Also www.sukelluspukuloitokari.fi/galleria/index.html Also for entry, they still produce roll-on model (yes, those cool as funk and indestructible) www.sukelluspukuloitokari.fi/pictures/kuivapukurullattava1.JPG

[@richlaw5136]

What happened to simply scuba??! Lol 😂

[@dominikc1981]

How big of a problem is a shoulder valve which is positioned on the biceps (so when in water, the valve is positioned forward, not upwards). I imagine this makes dumping gas more difficult. Yesterday i tried new suit on and if fits great, but the shoulder valve seems to be misplaced almost. Should I even consider buying this suit? This pictures shows more or less the valve placement I'm talking about. www.cascoantiguo.com/31249-large_default/traje-seco-black-dry.jpg

[@SafeDiving]

It shouldn't be a huge issue, if anything it may make donning and doffing your BCD a bit easier. But gas should still vent, I'd prefer a valve further round, but if they're making a suit from scratch for you they can put the valve wherever you like. They just punch a hole and fit a mount for the valve when making the suit.

[@wallybrown9509]

Dry suits are awesome, you just and pee in them. LOL

[@rednissan001]

You don’t have that spark that you had in your old videos when you were with simply scuba. 😔

[@Taigin]

*does google search on "horses for courses"* Ah ha. I understand now.

[@SafeDiving]

Must be a British term that doesn't translate...

[@stevenwood1468]

I realize this is highly subjective , for recreational diving, rank what you consider the top 3 drysuits. Features being the only consideration 😎

[@timgosling6189]

From personal experience and that of friends I'd recommend OThree and Otter, both UK made.

[@SafeDiving]

Top 3 suits not brands? Apeks KVR1 Santi E.Lite+ Waterproof D3 Hard to make such a short list but I'd be very happy if one of those turned up at my front door...

[@stevenwood1468]

Safe Diving Thanks for that. I had been looking at the D1X Hybrid. Hard to make up my mind. Expensive so I want to try very hard to get it right

[@jonwitherspoon1648]

@@SafeDiving Hi, Mark, so glad you have your own channel now! The Aqualung Fusion Bullet look awfuly similar to the KVR1, is there much difference spec-wise or is it simply down to rec vs tec styling or marketing?

[@SafeDiving]

@@jonwitherspoon1648 The KVR has a kevlar weave to the outer shell so it's a tad more cut resistant. Bullet is thin neoprene. Other than that they're much the same... All of the Fusion drysuits are the same on the inside; sizing, fit and specs, even the women's, it's just the external shell that changes and the seals.