If you\u2019re new to the water sports world, chances are you\u2019ve tried wearing a wetsuit. One common question that new wetsuit wearers might ask is, \u201cDo you get wet if you wear a wetsuit?\u201d The short answer is yes.<\/p>\n
In this article, we\u2019ll provide a detailed explanation of why wetsuits get you wet. We\u2019ll also cover the water amount the suit should trap and the common causes that make the diving outfit fill up with too much water. So, stick around!<\/p>\n
Yes! As the name implies, the whole purpose of wetsuits is to get you wet<\/a>. But why? Well, that\u2019s to keep you warm. Almost all wetsuits are made of neoprene, a stretchy synthetic rubber that provides insulation.<\/p>\n Thanks to its flexibility, neoprene allows a thin layer of water to enter the suit, making you wet. Generally, ocean water is colder than the human body. That\u2019s especially true as you dive deeper into the bottom since little sunlight<\/a> reaches that area.<\/p>\n Because the body temperature is higher, heat transfers from it to the thin layer of trapped water, making it warm. Consequently, you maintain a high body temperature. However, the wetsuit magic doesn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n Neoprene has insulation properties owing to its foam-like structure. Typically, foam rubber has tiny chambers that trap gases, particularly nitrogen gas. The former doesn\u2019t conduct heat. As a result, your body remains warm while you dive into the cold ocean water.<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, a wetsuit fills up with water so that your body heats the liquid and keeps you warm<\/a>. But how much water is too much?<\/p>\n Ideally, the wetsuit should feel like a second skin<\/a> layer outside the water. Once you\u2019re in the water, the diving outfit will feel a bit loose. Still, it shouldn\u2019t trap more than a thin layer of water.<\/p>\n Your wetsuit shouldn\u2019t billow or even have air bubbles. If that\u2019s the case, seawater will flush in and out of the suit, which is a big problem. Why? For one, it\u2019ll replace the heated water, cooling your body.<\/p>\n Additionally, your body won\u2019t warm up that large volume of water, so you lose the thermal protection your wetsuit provides. Not to mention, excess water will weigh you down.<\/p>\n As a result, you lose buoyancy<\/a>. Sure, a wetsuit won\u2019t make you float like a life jacket; still, the added weight can impair your movement.<\/p>\n Even for water sports that don\u2019t need buoyancy, like scuba diving, the excess water weight can be a problem. That\u2019s because you need to adjust the weight you wear on your belt to achieve neutral buoyancy.<\/p>\n Several factors can cause your wetsuit to be ineffective and let a lot of water in. Those include improper wetsuit size and maintenance. Wear and tear due to low-quality materials and seams can also cause the wetsuit<\/a> to fill up with excess water.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a detailed explanation of each reason:<\/p>\n Choosing the right wetsuit size can be a pain in the neck. The problem is that your wetsuit will be useless without proper fitting, as it\u2019ll fill up with a lot of water.<\/p>\n Luckily, figuring out your wetsuit size is pretty straightforward. After taking your measurements, compare them to determine the correct fit. Next, try on the suit and check for any excess material.<\/p>\n Wrist and ankle lengths are usually the easiest way to tell if a wetsuit is too big or small. If you see any folds near those areas, your wetsuit is a size up. Similarly, excess material near the knee cap, shoulders, and armpits all indicate the wetsuit is too big.<\/p>\n In contrast, your suit is a size down if it\u2019s too short at the extremities or too tight.<\/p>\nHow Much Water Should a Wetsuit Fill Up?<\/h2>\n
What Causes Your Wetsuit to Fill Up With Too Much Water?<\/h2>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0 Improper Wetsuit Size<\/h3>\n