Scuba Diving Apparel What a diver wears on a dive plays a huge role for temperature control. Remember that the thrill and excitement of scuba diving stops when the diver starts to experience chill from the freezing water temperatures of certain depths; this may cause loss of body heat that can be life threatening. Some wear scuba diving apparel such as nylon bathing suit, or either a wet or dry suit. Scuba diving apparel such as diving suits are designed and wadded to keep a diver as warm as possible. Scuba diving apparel diving suits can be classified into three different types: body suit, wet suit, and dry suit. A body suit is usually made from Lycra or nylon, which provide full length abrasion protection, but only a smallest insulation. This type of scuba diving apparel is best appropriate for tropical waters. A wet suit is the most common form of diving suits, and has wide array of thickness suitable for insulation in water temperatures as cold as 50°F to as warm as 86°F. They are designed to trap in thin layer of water between the rubber suit and the skin; the body heats up the water trapped in between, providing the needed warmth. The dry suit is a full-length suit that is made of double-walled fabric with insulating air space between the layers. Air is much more effective than water, so for insulating purposes, the dry suits are way warmer than wet suits, and provides insulation through keeping the diver dry; this is the warmest diving suit protection especially in waters that are colder than 50°F. Diving Unlimited International of San Diego is re-entering the vulcanized dry suit product with their RS1500 and RS1050 models. The dry suit is made up of 1,050gm/m2 or 1,500gm/ms vulcanized rubber coated dry suit shell in colors of red/black or all black, that features reinforced pads on the knees, hips, waist, seat, and shoulders; heavy duty neck seals and latex wrist; hood with hood liner; suspenders and wrist rings. They also have a complete line of hoods, gloves, and dams. This industrial-grade scuba diving apparel is already available at competitive prices through DUI’s network of authorized dealers. The type of scuba diving apparel selected will depend on the environment that one intends to dive in. The most important factor to consider in choosing is the warmth, comfort, and fit of the scuba diving apparel. One choice should consider the temperature of the water in the diving site. For warm water diving places, one can either go bare-skinned with regular bathing suit, or a simple nylon diving suit; however, for the coldest water temperature, the most excellent choice of scuba diving apparel would be the full-length dry suit. Scuba Diving Equipment For scuba divers, the biggest investment one has to make is the scuba diving equipment. This is not only an expensive task but a daunting one as well; one has to wade through different vendors with all sorts of products. Scuba diving isn’t a cheap sport so for those a little strapped for cash, purchasing a gear that will cover a variety of diving conditions is something to make sure of. The basic scuba diving equipment includes mask, fins, regulator, BCD’s, and wet suit: Mask Mask is an essential scuba diving equipment because it serves as one’s window to the underwater world. It allows one to clearly see under water through an air space in front of the eyes. The mask must be equalized during descent to prevent mask squeeze, which is why the nose needs to be enclosed in the mask so one can exhale into it and equalize the pressure. Be definite to purchase a mask particularly designed for scuba diving and consider these tips: tempered-glass lens plate; comfortable skin with a close fit against the face and a good seal; nose or finger pockets; low-profile; adjustable strap that can be locked into place; and wide field version. Fins This scuba diving equipment allows one to move through water with far less effort and far greater efficiency; using the leg muscles through these fins, free up the hands for other activities. Fins come in a wide array of styles and all sorts of features. Apart from what the fins feature, they all have two aspects in common: pockets for the feet; and blades for propulsion. Consider the following tips when buying fins: your size; your physical; ability; and the geographic area of the dive. Always keep in mind that the shape of the fin is not important, the blade size and rigidity is. The larger and the stiffer the blade is, the more leg power is needed. Regulators This scuba diving equipment is designed to lessen the high pressure air of the tank to a level that is utilizable. Regulators have two stages: first stage attaches to the scuba tank; second stage has a mouthpiece. Each stage reduces the high pressure form the scuba tank; first, reducing the high tank pressure; second, reducing the intermediate pressure. Regardless of brand, all modern regulators have fairly the same basic structure. The most important thing to remember is to choose a regulator that features ease of breathing, both inhaling and exhaling. BCD’s BCD or Buoyancy Control Device is scuba diving equipment that is an expandable bladder that can be inflated with air from the tank to increase the buoyancy while diving. The BCD is deflated through special air-dump valves or hoses to decrease buoyancy. This piece of scuba diving equipment is mandatory for all diving. It is used to give positive buoyancy for swimming, resting, or lending assistance to others underwater, allowing one to maintain neutral buoyancy at any depth just by releasing or adding air. Wet Suit Getting chilled under water stops diving from being enjoyable, the moment one loses body heat can lead to serious health threat that is why wet suits are needed. Wet suits reduce the heat loss through the use of exposure suits suggested for diving in water 75°F or colder. Additionally, this scuba diving equipment, aside from providing warmth, also serves to protect from stings, minor scrapes, and abrasions. Take note that body parts needing exposure protection includes hands, feet, head, as well as the rest of the body. Scuba is definitely a gear-intensive activity, and scuba diving equipments are also built to last when regularly maintained and properly cared for; the first scuba diving equipment one buys, may probably be the last.