RE: [Paddlewise] Oversized wet suits

From: Bob Denton <BDenton_at_aquagulf.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2000 13:52:34 -0400
Actually there is a significant difference...pressure. At the annual dive
show, one of the neoprene manufacturers had a display of samples of various
brands of neoprene in a pressure chamber. As the pressure was increased to 3
atmospheres, equivalent to 100 feet (an average depth) the neoprene samples
collapsed, some to a 10th or less of their original thickness.  The best
neoprene designed for scuba has a much higher percentage of rubber then
neoprene made for surface sports. Consequently, it tends to be more
expensive. The best neoprene tends to be made by Yamato or Rubatex. There
are a number of others.

You may consider the suits that include additives like titanium, which
reflect heat and produce more warmth from thinner materials. You can also
get neoprene with kevlar instead of nylon covering for hard wear areas, not
an issue with divers. Another issue is that divers don't sit a lot, unless
they blew it...

cya

>>>
She doesn't know from kayaking, though -- she's a diver. I know that the
thickness of the material is one of the differences we're looking for
between a diving suit and kayaking suit, but are there other issues? I
mean, if I'm going to have a custom wetsuit, I might as well have it custom
made for purpose, as well as fit.

Your ideas, please.

-- Wes


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Received on Thu Sep 07 2000 - 10:58:40 PDT

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