Cold-water curious but not sure where to start? This guide to drysuit diving has you covered—literally! Whether you’re interested in extending your dive season or exploring remote, chilly dive sites, a drysuit opens up a world of possibilities.

In this article, we’re going to walk you through the certification process, from eLearning to certification card. I’ll address the benefits of drysuits—from enhanced buoyancy control to thermal protection—and share essential tips for choosing the right suit, mastering buoyancy, and layering undergarments for optimal warmth. By the end, you’ll be more than ready to start your cold-water journey with your PADI Dry Suit Instructor.

What is Drysuit Diving?

Drysuit diving involves wearing a specially designed suit, known as a drysuit, combined with undergarments to stay dry and insulated in cold-water environments. Unlike a wetsuit, which allows a thin layer of water to enter and be warmed by the body, a drysuit completely seals out water, keeping the diver’s body dry throughout the dive.

Benefits of Drysuit Diving

• Stay Warm and Comfortable: Because you stay dry, a drysuit insulates you better than a wetsuit. Beneath the suit, you can layer up with insulating undergarments tailored to the water temperature—some options even include heated vests. Unlike wetsuits, which lose insulation due to compression as you go deeper, most drysuits provide about the same insulation regardless of depth. These qualities let you dive longer without the creeping cold that can cut your bottom time short.

• Year-Round Diving: Drysuits stretch your dive season from the limited summer months into year-round possibilities. No more months-long surface intervals when water temps drop. With a drysuit, winter diving becomes not just an option, but an enjoyable adventure. Whether you're exploring the icy depths of a northern lake or the more temperate Florida waters, the protection a drysuit offers lets you push through cold-weather barriers and dive whenever and wherever your heart desires. This is particularly noticeable after a dive – you’re not wet, so it’s not nearly as chilling to take it off compared to a wetsuit.

• Explore New Dive Sites: Beyond the warmth, drysuits unlock access to remote and cold-water dive sites. Imagine swimming between the tectonic plates of Iceland’s Silfra fissure or encountering the underwater magic of Antarctica’s icy waters. Cold places, often overlooked by fair-weather divers, are suddenly open to you. These less-traveled, often pristine locations offer unique wildlife, dramatic landscapes like kelp forests and a level of solitude that’s rare in more popular diving destinations.

Disadvantages of Drysuit Diving

Drysuit has its quirks, but here’s how to navigate them like a breeze:

• Cost: Yes, drysuits are pricier than wetsuits, and you’ll need a few extras like special undergarments and inflator hoses. Think of it as an investment in warmer, more versatile dives.

• Weight and Bulk: You may carry more weight with a drysuit, but it’s all about finding your balance. Once you do, you’ll appreciate the extra warmth and protection.

• Maintenance: A bit more upkeep? Sure. But keeping those seals, zippers and valves in top shape means your suit will always be dive-ready.

• On-Land Comfort: They’re toasty in cold water but can be a sauna on land. Luckily, some suits have venting options to cool you off before you jump in.

• Tricky to Put On and Take Off: It might take a few extra minutes to wiggle into or out of a drysuit, but consider it part of the pre-dive ritual. You’ll be a pro in no time!

• Potential Hazards: Proper use of a drysuit keeps you safe from those scary uncontrolled ascents. It’s all about practicing and getting comfortable with your gear.

Drysuits open up a whole new world of diving adventures, especially in colder waters. Embrace the learning process, and you’ll discover just how rewarding it can be.

Drysuit Gear Essentials

Drysuit Materials

When it comes to drysuits, there are five materials most often used: neoprene foam, coated fabric, crushed neoprene, vulcanized rubber, trilaminate and composite. Two common materials you’ll find in the U.S. are crushed neoprene and trilaminate.

Crushed neoprene drysuits offer more inherent insulation due to the thickness of the material, making them a good choice for divers who need extra warmth in colder waters. The disadvantages of crushed neoprene are they can be heavier and take longer to dry. Additionally, because of their buoyancy properties, neoprene drysuits require extra weight and can be cumbersome for some people.

Trilaminate drysuits, on the other hand, are made from three layers of material and are lighter, more durable and quicker to dry. However, they provide little to no insulation on their own, so they require you to layer more undergarments beneath the suit for warmth.

Drysuit Fit

When selecting a drysuit, consider the fit—it should allow room for undergarments without being baggy or restrictive. Also consider the intended use: Will you be diving primarily in extremely cold waters (think ice diving) or more temperate environments like the Florida springs? The right suit will depend on the type of diving you plan to do.

Layering Undergarments for Warmth

Since a drysuit keeps water out but doesn’t always provide insulation (depending on the material), it’s crucial to wear the right layers underneath to maintain body heat. High-quality undergarments specifically designed for drysuits are recommended, as they trap gas and retain warmth even when compressed at depth. They also dry quickly, which is important if you get leaks or sweat and need to dry them out between dives.

In freezing temperatures, opt for multiple layers—a base layer that wicks away sweat, a mid-layer for warmth and a thicker outer layer for insulation. Optional add-ons, like heated vests and gloves, are ideal for extreme cold-water diving.

Drysuit Accessories & Add-ons

Gloves: Drysuit diving requires specialized accessories to maintain comfort and warmth. Neoprene gloves, or even dry gloves, are essential in cold water.

Footwear: Drysuits come with multiple footwear options, including different boot styles, or crushed-neoprene socks (additional boot required for diving). While many prefer to have an all in one suit with the boots attached, others may prefer a crushed neoprene sock which may help reduce the amount of gas to the feet.

Seals: Drysuits also come with different options for seals, including latex, neoprene and silicone. Neoprene offers warmth and comfort, but least amount of stretch, making it slightly more difficult to don and doff. Latex is easier to put on and take off, hard-wearing and the least expensive option. However, it is susceptible to ozone, UV deterioration and latex allergies. The latest technology in seals is with silicone as it is softer, stretches well, lasts longer and provides a comfortable fit. Various manufacturers now offer options for quickly replacing seals so divers no longer have to wait for their suit to dry to repair and glue a new seal. These include neck ring systems or zip seals.

Hood: A hood is also critical, as a large percentage of body heat escapes from the head. Most drysuits use a snug-fitting neoprene wetsuit hood that covers both your head and neck, though there are dry hoods for the coldest water.

Pockets: Provide storage for tools, equipment and accessories on one or both thighs for easy access.

Pee Valves: Having a pee valve installed allows divers to relieve themselves without exiting the water—an essential feature for long or technical dives. However, adult underwear is also an option for those who do not wish to install a pee valve.

What it Takes to Earn a PADI Drysuit Certification

The PADI Drysuit Diver Specialty course is designed to equip divers with the skills and knowledge needed to safely dive in a drysuit. The course is typically taken after earning an Open Water certification, though it can be taught concurrently in coldwater locations. It’s structured into three main components:

1. Theory Sessions: The course begins with theory lessons, which can be completed online or in a classroom setting. These cover the basics of drysuit technology, how drysuits function, the differences between different suit materials, buoyancy control, and safety considerations specific to drysuit diving. You’ll also learn about the maintenance and care of your drysuit.
2. Confined Water Dives: After theory, you’ll practice essential skills in a confined water environment, such as a pool. This allows you to get comfortable with the drysuit in a controlled setting before moving into open water. During these sessions, you’ll focus on buoyancy control, gas management and handling emergencies.
3. Open Water Dives: Finally, you’ll complete at least two open water dives under the supervision of your instructor. These dives provide real-world experience in managing a drysuit in an open water environment, allowing you to practice what you learned in confined water.

By the end of the course, you should feel confident in the knowledge that you know how to manage buoyancy and gas in a drysuit. It might seem hard at first but it will get easier with practice.

Skills & Techniques You'll Learn in a Drysuit Course

During the PADI Drysuit Diver course, you’ll master key skills that are essential for safe and comfortable drysuit diving:

Donning and Doffing the Suit: Properly putting on and taking off a drysuit is crucial for its longevity. You’ll be taught the correct techniques to preserve the seals and zipper, which can be expensive to replace. You’ll also learn how to care for and store your drysuit to ensure it remains in good condition.

Buoyancy Control with a Drysuit: Unlike wetsuit diving, buoyancy control in a drysuit involves managing both your buoyancy control device (BCD) and the gas inside your drysuit.

The course teaches you how to use the inflator valve to add gas to your suit as you descend to prevent suit squeeze (read more about this below), and how to release gas through the exhaust valve during ascent to avoid out-of-control ascents.

Emergency Procedures: Drysuit diving requires a set of specific emergency skills to manage potential risks such as an uncontrolled ascent or a flooded drysuit.

Cold-Water Considerations: Cold-water diving presents additional risks, so being properly equipped is essential to manage risk and comfort.

• Thermal Protection: Always wear appropriate undergarments suited to the water temperature, with extra layers for freezing environments. Remember that heat loss happens quickly underwater, so err on the side of caution and dress warmly.

• Cold-Water Risks: Cold water can lead to hypothermia and frostbite, even with a drysuit. Be mindful of your body temperature throughout the dive and know the signs of hypothermia, such as uncontrollable shivering, slurred speech, and confusion. Dive conservatively, limiting your time in the water if conditions are extreme.

Drysuit Diving: FAQs

Is drysuit diving difficult?

Earning a PADI Drysuit certification is a simple way to streamline the learning curve that comes with drysuit diving and may be mandatory for certain dive centers. The biggest difference is controlling your buoyancy, as you’ll need to balance the gas inside your drysuit and your BCD. Adjusting to the feel of the suit and learning to manage the extra gas may take a few dives, but with a drysuit certification course and practice, most divers quickly become comfortable. It’s not inherently difficult, but it does require patience and attention to new techniques.

Do I need to be an experienced diver to get certified?

You don’t need to be a highly experienced diver to get certified in drysuit diving, but having some basic scuba experience helps. Many cold-water territories teach drysuit diving during their open-water diver certification. The drysuit course will teach you the specifics of using and managing a drysuit, including safety procedures, buoyancy management, and how to handle potential issues such as a suit flood.

How expensive is drysuit diving?

Drysuit diving has a higher upfront cost than wetsuit diving due to the higher cost of the gear and the need for thermal undergarments. Getting a drysuit diving certification typically costs several hundred dollars for eLearning and in-person diving. A drysuit itself can range from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the material and features, and depending on whether you order a custom drysuit, or purchase one off the rack. Thermal undergarments can add another $100 to $500 depending on the level of insulation required. However, all that said, with proper care drysuits typically last longer than wetsuits, and they pay for themselves by extending your dive season and time underwater.

Can I rent a drysuit, or do I need to own one?

Yes, some dive shops do rent drysuits, especially in colder regions where drysuit diving is common. Rental fees usually range from $50 to $100 per day, making it a viable option for divers who don’t dive in cold water frequently. Make sure to check with the dive center for availability and book a rental beforehand.

Related Reading: The Deadly Risk of Neglecting Your Air

Owning a drysuit is ideal for those planning regular cold-water dives, as it allows for a custom fit and familiarity with the suit’s behavior, and most importantly, it will mean you dive more! If you’re just starting with drysuit diving or trying it out before committing to a purchase, renting is a great way to gain experience without the upfront investment.

Ready to dive any time, anywhere? Find a drysuit diving course near you!