How Do Wetsuits Work?

How do wetsuits work?

The wetsuit is among the most remarkable innovations in the diving industry. It allows divers to stay warm and dry at all times inside the chilly water. Wetsuits have become essential for divers exploring the marine environment. There are numerous options for wetsuits in the market. These vary in terms of material, size, thickness, and design. Therefore, you need to know how they work to buy the best diving suit.

How Do Wetsuits Work? To dive deeper into the fundamentals of its functionality, we have crafted a detailed guide for you below. This article will guide you on how a wetsuit works.

What is a Wetsuit?

The development of wetsuits dates back to the year 1910 when it was designed for commercial fishing divers to protect them from injuries. The suit was extensively used during World War II as well, but the modern wetsuit that we see today was first designed in 1952 by Hugh Bradner from California.

The earliest version of the wetsuits trapped very little water between the suit and the body. It worked by using the body heat as insulation against the cold water. But compared to old wetsuits, newer versions are better stitched and provide more safety underwater. 

A wetsuit is a garment usually worn to provide thermal protection from water. These suits are often made from materials such as foamed neoprene. A wetsuit is an optimum choice for anyone engaged in water-related activities. A few examples include divers, surfers, boating, and SUP. With the help of a wetsuit, divers manage to prevent risks. 

How Does a Wetsuit Keep You Warm?

A diver’s body loses heat 20 times quicker in water than in air, but a good diving suit helps prevent heat loss. It happens because water is denser than air, with molecules packed closely together. Meanwhile, air particles, which are far apart from each other, resulting in minimal heat loss. Without a wetsuit, divers will feel cold, that’s why they prefer wearing a wetsuit for diving. 

Whenever a diver is underwater, there is always a lingering risk of hypothermia. These suits also help them keep away from environmental hazards and abrasive surfaces. 

While wetsuits may appear simple, the manufacturing process involves complex calculations and tests. A wetsuit works in a similar way as multiple layers of clothing that keep you warm in the chilly weather. A typical wetsuit has an inner neoprene foam with laminated fabrics both inside and outside.

As soon as a diver enters the water, water enters through the extremities of the suit, such as the wrist, ankles and neck of the wetsuit. Slowly it starts to make way between neoprene and skin throughout your wetsuit. Ultimately, it traps a thin layer of water between the body and the wetsuit. The layer of water, with the help of body heat, acts as the heating element that keeps your body warm.

Insulation is the scientific term that explains the accumulation of heat this way. It is possible thanks to the bubbles present in neoprene that trap warm air. Apart from keeping the temperature stable, the compact layer will also help prevent scratches, bruises, and UV radiation from the sun. Wetsuits work the best when you have the right size, material, and design for your underwater activity. 

Layers of a Wetsuit

With the help of layers, the wetsuits keep the divers warm and protect them against hypothermia. Layers in a typical wetsuit include:

Key Components of a Wetsuit

Size and Overall Fitting

For a wetsuit to work well, it needs to be according to your needs. A wetsuit needs to be right and pressed against your skin to reduce heat loss. Wetsuits fit perfectly by trapping a thin layer of water between the skin and suit.

Overall, you should measure your wetsuit since any variation in size may hinder your experience. Smaller-sized wetsuits may be uncomfortable since it will be too tight. Moreover, not measuring your suit may also cause you to lose heat quickly underwater.

Similarly, a baggy and oversized suit may increase the chances of hypothermia since it can allow water to seep inside. Experts always emphasize on choosing the right size.

Water Protection

Water is a substance that can seep into the smallest of gaps, causing issues. It is of utmost importance for wetsuits to prevent water from coming in direct contact with the body. Most of the time, it can prove to be difficult since it can seep inside through the zippers and stitching on the wetsuit. Moreover, it can also seep through other areas of the body, such as the torso.

To combat this problem, a high-quality wetsuit offers stitching in two different styles. They include flatlock and blind stitching. These stitching options have their own benefits and provide different means
to keep the user warm

Flatlock Stitching

The flatlock stitching requires tight knitting from both ends of the fabric. However, a tiny proportion of water might pass through due to the holes created by needles. This should not be a concern, especially during warm water diving.

Blind Stitching

The blind stitching works by joining different pieces of clothes together with the help of special glue. The glue helps prevent the problems of needle holes in the final product and provides an optimum diving solution for winters. It ensures that water is unable to pass through the material and keeps your body temperature intact.

Wetsuit Insulation

The creation of warm energy is only possible with infra-red. This energy is usually present in the sun’s radiation and the general body heat. When divers are underwater, they lose their heat to the environment.

The Omnired technology is among the latest swimsuit technologies that use the power of infra-red radiation. The swimsuit is equipped with thermo-reactive minerals that convert body heat into thermal energy. The thermal energy is then reflected back to the body, ensuring a warm underwater experience.

The technology is researched and backed by numerous leading scientists who have identified that it outperforms other technologies in the industry. The suit has quick-dry properties and overall provides flexibility and ensures a comfortable experience.

The technology provides:

• Better Circulation: Infrared helps boost the blood flow circulation in your body, which helps elevate your oxygen levels. Ultimately, you feel warmer and have more stamina.
• Faster Recovery: fast circulation also assists in promoting better health. As your body’s cell function increases, so does your stamina and endurance.
• Better Warmth: The Omnired technology provides optimum heat against the cold water. Since the circulation is fast, it helps you maintain an ideal temperature underwater.
• Wetsuit Comfort

Oftentimes, people use ExoWear wetsuits for better movement and flexibility. Some of these suits are best for movement inside the water while also providing protection against environmental hazards. These wetsuits are designed with comfort in mind. An ExoWear provides better functionality and use than a nylon surface.

The suit not only allows comfort but also improves the in water experience as well. The suit also possesses the ability to reduce friction in water and provide a high level of flexibility. It helps the user increase buoyancy and work faster and with the suit on. The thinner a triathlon suit is the more functionality and freedom it offers.

Wetsuit Zips

As we mentioned before, water can seep in from different openings, including zippers. The latest technology G-Lock2 back zipper with offset tooth design and PU coated zip tape guard your body against water entry.

The Difference between a Wetsuit and a Drysuit

You will come across two popular choices when it comes to diving gear worn underwater. The drysuit is also considered one of the optimum choices for divers and kayakers alike. Such gear protects divers from low temperatures, freezing air, and UV radiation. During winter, underwater diving is almost impossible for people without the right equipment.

One of the most common questions divers ask is about the difference between a drysuit and a wetsuit and how they differ from each other. While the most obvious difference is in the name itself, as a dry suit keeps you dry throughout, meanwhile a wetsuit does not.

Let’s explore some of the key differences between a drysuit and a wetsuit to help you make the right choice.

1. Warmth – Keeping warm is one of the most important aspects for divers, especially in a cold environment. Both drysuits and wetsuits are designed to prevent heat loss in the body. Wetsuits achieve this purpose with a layer of neoprene and the water layer between the suit and the skin. On the other side, drysuits use the help of air and other combinations of material. With the help of drysuits, users can add more layers to keep themselves warm against the cold.
2. Weight – Another key aspect in determining the difference is with the help of weights. When a user becomes comfortable with a drysuit, they don’t face the problem of over-weighting. It is a key concern when it comes to using a wetsuit. Drysuits provide the advantage of constant buoyancy, unlike wetsuits, which can vary in terms of weight.
3. Cost – The price of gear is a determining factor in choosing a wetsuit or drysuit. Altogether, the price of a drysuit may exceed $1500, which can be a lot for some divers. Moreover, you will also have to purchase additional equipment for the best experience. Wetsuits, on the other hand, provide much more functionality and value for money. Compared to drysuits, it costs less to maintain them as well. They require little additional investment since they are long-lasting, and you can easily clean them with a rinse. On the other hand, drysuits require that you replace seals, fix any leaks, and replace boots and zippers. These additional costs can rise significantly, but with proper care, they may last up to 10 years.
4. Condition Variations – Chances are that you will dive into different water conditions with a variety of temperatures. Each wetsuit is crafted for a specific weather condition, and therefore, they come in a variety of thicknesses. For instance, if you are diving into warm water, you need a thinner wetsuit. Similarly, cool water demands a thicker wetsuit. Since a dry suit allows you to put on additional layers, it is suitable for every weather condition throughout the year.
5. Overall Experience – It is easier for a person to explore underwater with the help of a wetsuit. This is because the wetsuit adapts to the increased pressure and becomes more compact. But if we look at the drysuit, maintaining neutral buoyancy is harder. People’s choices often depend on the ocean and weather conditions before they make a purchase. If we compare the overall use and arguements, then a wetsuit has the edge over a dry suit.

Pros of Wetsuits

Some wetsuits might work better than others, so it entirely depends on the material and cost involved in the making. But overall, they may prove to be quite inexpensive compared to drysuits. Wetsuits also offer more advantages, providing more value. Let’s take a look at some of the pros of wetsuits:

Flexibility

High flexibility comes in handy whenever the user may need to move quickly through the water. Wetsuits make it easier for you to float,thereby minimizing your efforts. Moreover, it will also help you focus on swimming and exploring rather than focusing on keeping a balance. It is always advisable to go for the best wetsuit.

Cheaper than Drysuits

Wetsuits are often cheaper and easier to maintain if we compare them to drysuits. They provide a decent return on investment and last quite a while before apparent wear and tear.

Provide Warmth

These wetsuits provide the user with much-needed warmth, which helps them last longer inside the water. Moreover, it’s an excellent choice for people who are sensitive to the cold. Itcan make them more comfortable, enabling them to enjoy a better diving experience.

Cons of Wetsuits

Cost

For some people, buying wetsuits may not be a viable option due to a significant upfront investment. It may cost some people hundreds of dollars.

Constraining

Wetsuits can be too tight for some people, which may make them feel uncomfortable. There could be a lingering feeling of tightness around the body that might hinder the swimming experience.

Choosing the Right Wetsuit

Now that we’ve answered the question “How Do Wetsuits Work?”, now it is time to find one of your own. While some users think that the thickness and material of a wetsuit are one of the key features they need to take into account, fitting is a core aspect as well.

If your wetsuit is loose, it defeats the purpose of wearing a wetsuit. And if it is too tight, you risk constricting blood flow to your limbs. In this case, the best thing you can do is shop for the right size for yourself.