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After writing something about what drysuits
WKPP uses, I checked with my dive partner to
find out the genesis of this decision, since I
had always used only the TLS 350. He said the
following. There are four basic types of suits
with several permutaions and combinations: shell,
neoprene, rubber, and crushed foam. In each case
the thermal protection deep will be from the
insulation (the neoprene compresses). When you
add the necessary insulation to the neoprene
suit for a long dive, the buoyancy becomes too
positive. The rubber is too bulky and slow, but
is the dryest of them all. The crushed foam seems
like a good idea, but is difficult to keep from
leaking, and is not as flexible as the shell. The
best suit for swimming and overall freedom of
movement is the shell. When custom fit, it becomes
as fast as the neoprene when scootering. To check
this, ask the guys who have dived neoprene with
me while I dove the shell (Jarrod, Casey, Irving or
the "Rat"). The trick to the TLS shell is getting
one that is properly put together to start with so
that is doesn't leak. Then you have to be very careful
with the zipper.
I just knew that it worked. I have three TLS 350
DUI suits. I use the latex seals, the auto deflator,
the balanced overboard discharge, and center inflator
(so I can operate my bc and suit at the same time with
the same hand which also has the light). Gators or ankle
weights are not necessary if the suit is custom fit.
Service from DUI is excellent, but you have to pay.
Whining about warrranty will slow you down - the last
thing they need is cave divers. They know when a problem
is theirs and not yours. I sent a suit back to have some
leaks fixed and they sent my repaired suit back followed
by a new custom suit at no charge (they said something was
wrong with the material).
I hope this helps. - George Irvine
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