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Diving Bonaire: Skin vs suit
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2004-08-15 to 2005-06-05: Skin vs suit
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Deborah Bennett (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 10:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What is the difference between a "skin" and a "wetsuit"? or "dive suit"? Thank you.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wes Adams (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 11:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

A skin protects the diver from abrasions and stings but gives no thermal protection. (not including a Polortech which does give minimal
warmth) A wetsuit gives protection while adding
warmth and comes in many styles to include shorty, farmer johns and one piece. The thickness
varies from 2mm to 8mm. One step up is a semi dry
which allows minimal water to enter and a dry suit which is designed to keep you dry while diving giving you the best thermal protection.
I am not sure about the dive suit, unless you have to wear a tie.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Deborah Bennett (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 3:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Is the skin the same as a lycra rash guard that surfers wear?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael (BonaireTalker - Post #25) on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 4:01 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Deborah,

To the best of my knowledge it is.
Lycra is a very thin "second skin" which, apart from the protection against abrasions sometimes also is used to help slide into the actual wet suit (with a thicker suit 5 - 7 mm, this can be a real pain in the neck).
Here in the cold weather of the Netherlands (wind)surfers tend to use thicker suits to protect them against the cold as well.

Michael

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy P (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #306) on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 10:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

There are also a "new" breed of thin neoprene suits in the .5 mil - 1 mil thickness that offer abrasion protection, a small bit of flotation and some protection from heat loss.

My last trip it was just perfect for the warm waters and hot air temps.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andrea & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #182) on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 12:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If you have trouble with getting cold the thicker wetsuits/skins (1mm and up) would be best for you. I wear a polortech or 1mm suit and am comfortable. But then I am a plus size woman and have my own natural insulation. Choose what is best for you.
Andy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Babs (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8188) on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 3:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Deborah, the skins and rashguards are essentially the same thing...thin lycra which can give you good sun and abrasion protection but not any real warmth. Great for snorkeling or under a wet suit of any thickness.

 


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