New to diving would appreciate some advice

[ben5858]

Hi i have just passed my o/w and will soon be doing my advanced. I wish to purchase a drysuit. I have researched on the net and i have a idea of what i am going to get could you please correct me if you feel i am making any bad choices.


Purchase cordura made to measure membrane dysuit from: http://www.seaskin.co.uk/
price: £428.99
Although the website displays the suit with polyester I spoke to the company and they will make the suit in cordura for no extra cost


Also purchase a thinsulate 250 made to measure undersuit from the same company.
(not totally sure whether this is best option i do feel the cold and will be diving in the uk. Anyone have any better ideas for undersuits?)

I do realise that compressed neoprene dry suits have better thermal properties but i hope to dive on wrecks and would like a hard wearing suit.

Any help would be very much appreciated. Has anybody heard anything good/bad about www.seaskin.co.uk

[Chris Cherrington]

...
Any help would be very much appreciated. Has anybody heard anything good/bad about www.seaskin.co.uk

I am sorry to give what will be an unsatisfactory answer. I have heard both. The issue is not suit quality which I understand is good, but fit. Several people have had MTM and they haven't fitted well. It was a make I was looking at.

I emphasise this is 2nd hand information and I haven't seen the suits - it was discussion on another board, in the end I found an ex-display Typhoon at half price.

Those people that got a proper fitting suit are very happy with them.

I prefer compressed neoprene. If I were starting out again I would buy something secondhand and try it out first or try to dive with a range of suits. This is a particulalry difficult item to get right in my experience.

Chris

[JamesP]

The other really good option is Otter with their MTM drysuits, although i would go into a local dive shop and get them to do the measurements and you may get a bit of discount aswell. there skin material is very good, and customer service is also very good. I enquiered about seaskin, seemed good and knowledgeable, but the drysuit manufacturer which my local dive shop uses. what I have dived in and location, Otter became my choice.

I have heard good things about their customer service though if you get an illfitting suit (please note this can also be because of measurements!!)

regards

James

[Chris Cherrington]

The other really good option is Otter ..

I'll second that. The missus has an Otter ultimate.

These are very hardwearing (easily as good as cordura). We wreck and cave dive and have never had an issue.

Chris

[ben5858]

Thankyou everyone for your advice. One other thing I wanted to ask is; what type of undersuit would provide the best thermal protection and is there any that stand out from the rest?

[Chris Cherrington]

There are two types, those that use lofting principles (eg Weezle) and Thinsulate. Lofting uses air gaps and is the favoured method for mountaineers in sleeping bags etc. However, when wet it doesn't work...

There are many brands that are "the one to have".

In my experience the differences are largely imaginary. And for sure at your stage they are totally unimportant. Maybe if doing five hours deco.....

I would look for something with a waterproof exterior as these double up as a good thing to wear on the boat between dives.

Chris

[Ian@1904]

Try here
http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/wetsuits-drysuits-undersuits/31623-suits-you-sir-seaskin-drysuits.html?highlight=seaskin
Been using mine since Feb. Great fit, great service, great price. Take care when measuring up, read Richard's instructions, if in doubt measure twice. Better still visit the factory in Leeds and get neasured there. Another club member has one of these suits and she is really pleased too.
Failing that telephone Richard Hurdman the MD