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Dry suits Until some time ago, dry suits were considered the exclusive domain of technical and professional divers. Nowadays, thanks to lower prices and to new materials dry suits are becoming increasingly popular also among recreational divers. The reason is simple: the higher thermal protection and the possibility to remain dry inside and outside water make all dives more confortable and enjoiable.  The current thinking is that any diving which increases thermal loss, thereby decreasing comfort and safety, may be better done in a dry suit. This includes long dives in warm water, deep diving, dives that involve little movement (i.e., photography or marine life study) and repetitive diving, especially if you tend to chill easily. The modern dry suits on the market are made of two types of materials: neoprene or plastic tissues. The latter suits are also called shell-type suits and are made of vulcanized rubber, urethane-backed nylon or trilaminate material - two pieces of nylon with a layer of butyl rubber sandwiched between. Positives: Shell suits have no inherent buoyancy, weigh less than neoprene suits, are easy to repair, and do not compress or lose thermal protection at depth. Negatives: they lose buoyancy when flooded, and their lack of inherent buoyancy requires far better undergarments, increasing their cost. Neoprene, and in particular the crushed or small-cell neoprene used for the best quality models, offers higher thermal insulation and allows divers not to wear special undergarment unless in very cold conditions. These suits are rugged and often cost more than other suits for good reason: they combine the advantages of foam neoprene and shell suits, with few of the disadvantages. Before using a dry suit for the first time it is advisable to follow a specific course or, at least, to try it in the pool once or twice under the supervision of an instructor. During the course you will also be taught how to treat and maintain your dry suit in order to avoid stressing the most delicate parts such as the zipper or the seals. In this way you can ensure a very long life to your dry suit and make it the most loyal companion of your dives.
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