Dry Suit

The SDI Dry Suit Diver Course will open up a whole new world of diving to you. Many of the diving environments around the world are better experienced in a dry suit. Why? These areas have an abundance of marine life waiting to be seen and photographed – they just happen to be a little colder! Dry suits are also used in tropical water during the cooler months.This course allows the student to develop the knowledge and skills to properly use a dry suit. It will discuss the types of dry suits, accessories, maintenance and how to make basic repairs.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

  • SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
  • Minimum age 18, 12 with parental consent

WHAT TO EXPECT

The SDI Dry Suit Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

  • Types of dry suits
    • Shell style
    • Crushed neoprene
    • Neoprene
  • Types of seals
    • Latex
    • Neoprene
  • Features
    • Self don
    • Rear entry
    • Boots
    • Zipper guard: protect waterproof zipper from chaffing
    • Warm neck collar
    • Suspenders
  • Dive wear insulation (often times called undergarments)
    • Cut to be close to the skin
    • Compression resistant
    • Components
  • Dry suit valves
    • Inflator and deflator considerations
  • Buoyancy control
  • Maintenance and care
    • Cleaning
    • Zipper care
    • Minor repairs
  • Dry suit emergencies

The required skills you will have to demonstrate include all of the following and more:

  • Planning a dive
  • Proper donning of a dry suit
  • Review functions of the dry suit
  • Buoyancy check and proper weighting
  • Practice dry suit skills
  • Inflate and deflate dry suit
  • Roll out from an inverted position
  • Buoyancy skills such as hovering in a fixed position
  • Emergency procedures for dry suit malfunction
  • Safety stop
  • Ascend and exit
  • Log dive

NEXT STEPS