Drysuit (cold-water exposure suit)

A drysuit is a waterproof garment that prevents water from touching your skin. It uses a seal at the neck and wrists to keep you dry. You will need this gear for diving in places like Japan or the colder parts of the Baltic Sea. Most divers wear thick thermal undergarments inside because the suit itself provides no warmth. I used a heavy fleece layer during my 2018 trips to colder regions. Without proper insulation, you will freeze quickly. A common mistake is not checking your seals before every dive. Always inspect the latex or silicone for small cracks. If a seal fails at 25 m, you will get wet fast. Keep your inflation valve clear of sand and salt.