7 Reasons Why A Proper Drysuit Undergarment Is So Important
In our day to day interactions with customers here at Dive Right In Scuba, we often receive questions and inquiries about drysuit undergarments and what they can use as an undergarment. While we stress the importance of the proper undergarment for the specific water temperature they will be diving in, it oftentimes seems like an afterthought to the diver...especially after they made a large investment in a drysuit. More often than not, we find divers using low quality wearables or discount store cotton sweat suits as their sole insulating layer. With that in mind, let’s take a look at seven reasons why a proper drysuit undergarment is so important.
Body Cooling
When on a dive, body cooling is a simple factor of time. When the body begins to cool, the mind and motor functions rapidly lose their proper function. Inadequate insulation only speeds this process, often putting the diver in an unsafe situation.
Constricted Blood Vessels
When the body cools, the blood vessels contained within become constricted slowing proper blood flow. This will cause issues with proper decompression and the efficient offgassing of nitrogen from the system. Leaving the diver at risk for decompression sickness.
Body Cooling Reducing Blood Supply
When the body cools rapidly the blood supply is drastically reduced. This will cause loss of motor function and numbness, affecting manual dexterity and the ability to perform dive crucial tasks like manipulating reels and operation of dive lights.
Elimination of Fluids
The body is constantly warming fluids to ensure the proper function of all organs. When the body cools, the fluids are partially eliminated so that the fluid volume being heated up is reduced. This can lead to severe dehydration and an increased risk for decompression illness.
Body Cooling Reduces Muscle Strength
When cooling of the body occurs, the muscles lose strength. This hampers proper motor function and limits the strength necessary to complete required dive related tasks.
Body Cooling Increases The Rate Of Breathing
Simply put, in cold water the body’s breathing rate increases. This cycle of hyperventilation will cause your gas consumption rate to spike and leave you with a shorter dive and more prone to panic in an emergency situation.
Hypothermia
The continued cooling of the body can lead to a condition called hypothermia. This is a dangerous condition that will eventually cause the body and associated motor functions to shut down.
As you can see by the previous list, the effects of wearing an insufficient or low quality undergarment go far beyond simply being uncomfortable on a dive. It can and will have a serious effect on your personal health and safety. So, make the wise investment in a proper undergarment for the water temperatures and conditions you will be diving in. If you want to see the vast selection of drysuit undergarments we carry, just give a mouse click here.  As always if you have any questions or special needs, the entire team here at Dive Right In Scuba ready to help you have the most enjoyable dive experience possible.