Heat loss underwater

Even when diving in tropical waters (27 C/78 F) divers may experience a significant loss of body heat.

Water is able to conduct heat more efficiently because is more dense than air. Therefore, energy is conducted easier underwater.

Undwewater we lose body heat twenty times faster than in air. So it is highly recommended to dive with some kind of exposure protection at all times.

Failing to do so may lead to hypotermia, a condition in which your body cools so much it that it can´t function normally.

There are two types of exposure protection: Wet suits and dry suits. The first ones are usually made of neoprene rubber and the reason why they are called wet suits is because the diver gets wet when using them.

Wet suit reduce heat loss by putting a layer of insulating foam neoprene over your skin. Water enters at the wrists, ankles and neck and gets trapped between the diver´s skin and the suit.

The diver´s body heats the water quickly, and as long as it remains trapped the diver remains warm. That is why is important that wet suits fit well.

A dry suit will keep the diver dry and it is a recommended option when diving in waters about18 C/ 65 F). They provide the most thermal protection of all suits used by recreational divers.

Because air conducts heat relatively poorly, dry suits insulate divers with a layer of air, as well as with insulating materials such as undergarment within the suit.

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