A wetsuit is typically made from either neoprene or poly rubber. Both materials are great at keeping you warm, and that’s why professional divers, fishers, and swim instructors often wear them. But do these properties also keep you warm when diving in a wetsuit? Do wetsuits also help you stay warm during your dives? If not, how can you stay warm while diving in a wetsuit? Wearing a wetsuit when diving is essential for staying safe underwater. It protects you from cuts, scrapes, infections, and hypothermia. Wearing one keeps you dry and therefore prevents chafing if the dive lasts longer than anticipated. They also insulate you from the colder water temperature so your body doesn’t have to work as hard when trying to stay warm.
Do Wetsuits Keep You Warm?
Yes, wetsuits are extremely efficient at keeping you warm. That’s because they insulate you from the cold water, which is the main reason people get cold. Additionally, wetsuits have a watertight seal that prevents any water from entering the suit, keeping you dry and warm.
How WetsuitIt Keeps You Warm?
1. They’re made of neoprene
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that’s used to make wetsuits. It’s also what’s used to make scuba diving dry suits and other gear. When neoprene is used on a wetsuit, the edges are stitched together so the suit can stretch with your body but the neoprene doesn’t stretch out. When you’re done swimming or diving and want to get out of your suit, you can use scissors to cut it off if you’re careful. Neoprene is a great insulator, so it can trap your body heat and keep you warm even in cold water. But it’s also buoyant, so it can help keep you afloat and make it easier to swim. If you’re driving, you’ll wear your neoprene dive suit under your SCUBA gear. But if you’re just swimming, you can wear your neoprene wetsuit alone.
2. They trap your body heat
Wetsuits trap air that your body heat warms up. This trapped air keeps you warm. Since the wetsuit is against your skin, it keeps your body heat trapped and prevents it from escaping. As you are in the water, the trapped air keeps you warm. You can use it to your advantage. If you’re swimming and it’s getting a bit too chilly, you can slow down a bit to trap the air between your body and the wetsuit. If you’re not moving around, you’ll warm up that air and trap it better.
3. You’re swimming and exercising
Swimming is great exercise. It’s low-impact and can be done by almost anyone. It can burn a lot of calories, works muscles that most other exercises don’t, and has been shown to have a lot of health benefits. But swimming in cold water can make you cold. You can wear a wetsuit under your swimsuit and trap your own body heat against your skin. This can help keep you warm as you’re swimming. If you’re just swimming for fun, you probably don’t need a wetsuit. But if you’re swimming for exercise or other reasons and want to stay warm, a wetsuit can help.
4. Dry off before going in again
After you come out of the water after wearing a wetsuit, you should dry off quickly. You don’t want to trap water against your body, especially if you’re going out in colder weather. If you’re trapped with a wet body and wearing a wet wetsuit, you could get hypothermia. Wear warm clothes after you get out of the wetsuit and take time to dry your hair. You can also use a towel to dry off your body and hair.
How To Stay Warm While Diving In A Wetsuit?
- By now you’ve probably realized that you can’t just dive in a wetsuit without taking precautions to stay warm.
- Wearing a hood and gloves is essential when diving in cold water. You can also try to warm up your core before the dive. Do a few swim strokes and some yoga poses to get your blood flowing.
- You can also try some core activation exercises. The best way to warm up is to start the dive in warm water.
- This can be done by diving in tropical waters during the summer. Alternatively, you can warm up the water before the dive. There are several ways to do this.
- You can use a portable water heater, rig a water heater, or heat the water with a gas stove.
Why You Should Be Wearing A Wetsuit?
1. It’ll save your life
Every year, thousands of people die from drowning and even more get injured from water-related accidents. Wearing a wetsuit can reduce the risk of dying from drowning by as much as 50%. If you get into trouble in the water, it may not be possible to stay afloat without help, even if you’re a strong swimmer, especially when swimming in cold water. Protecting yourself against hypothermia, staying afloat, and being seen by other people are essential safety precautions when swimming in open water, even in warm water. If you’re caught in a rip current, wearing a wetsuit can help you stay afloat and make it easier to be rescued. A wetsuit will help you float because it is made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber that becomes increasingly dense as water pressure increases.
2. Protects your skin
When water and your skin come into contact, it can result in cuts, scrapes, and other damage. Swimming in a wetsuit will protect you from potential injuries when your skin comes into contact with rocks, coral, or other underwater hazards. It will also protect you from jellyfish stings, which can be extremely painful and unpleasant. It’s not just your skin that will be protected: Wearing a wetsuit will also protect your head, hands, and feet. This is especially important for swimmers who are prone to blisters. Some swimmers wear gloves to protect their hands, but this can lead to the build-up of calluses and blisters. Wearing a wetsuit to protect your hands is a better option, as it will also protect your knuckles.
3. It’ll help you swim faster
Swimming in a wetsuit is like having a personal flotation device on—and it may even help you go faster. This is because of the drag that comes with wearing a wetsuit, which makes it easier to go faster because of the way it smooths out your body. Wearing a wetsuit will also help reduce the amount of energy it takes for you to swim. If you’re a competitive swimmer, it’s best not to wear a wetsuit. The extra drag from a wetsuit could mean that the time you take to swim up and down the pool will be slower than someone competing in a non-wetsuit event.
4. It’ll keep you warm
Swimming in the water can be very refreshing, but it can also make you feel cold. Wearing a wetsuit will help insulate you against the cold water by trapping a thin layer of warm water between your body and the wetsuit. The wetsuit will have a thin layer of water trapped between it and your skin, which will act as a layer of insulation, keeping you warm. It’s especially important to wear a wetsuit when swimming in cold water. If you’re swimming in cold water, it’s important to keep warm to avoid getting hypothermia. Wearing a wetsuit will help keep you warm by trapping a thin layer of warm water between your skin and the wetsuit.
Pros Of Wearing A Wetsuit
- They keep heat in your body- Wearing a wetsuit can reduce the risk of hypothermia and protect against cuts and scrapes from rocks and other submerged objects.
- They are easy to move around in and reduce drag- When it comes to diving, this can be important for staying under for long periods of time.
- They are easy to put on and take off- If you’re in a hurry to get in the water, it’s a quick process to suit up.
- They are convenient for people with sensitive skin- Wetsuits are made with neoprene rubber that is soft against the skin.
Cons Of Wearing A Wetsuit
- They are not ideal for all temperatures. While they do help with the risk of hypothermia, they also trap the heat generated by your body. If you’re diving in warm waters, it could become too hot inside the suit.
- Wearing a wetsuit makes it harder to see underwater- Some diving wetsuits have a hood on the top and cover your head. You’ll need to take that off before you start taking photos or videos.
- They can be expensive to buy- The good news is that you can rent them at most dive shops.
Final Words
Don’t forget that a wetsuit is meant to protect you from the water. It’s not designed to keep you warm. Before diving in cold water, do your best to warm up. You can also bring a hood and gloves to keep your hands and head warm. Finally, remember that wetsuits trap warm water. This is why they’re such good insulators.
