Wetsuit Warming Tricks

Worn by divers, surfers and water sports enthusiasts, wetsuits provide physical protection, buoyancy and warmth to the wearer. Contrary to popular belief, the layer of water between body and suit does not warm a wearer; the wetsuit material, which contains bubbles of air or gas, insulate the wearer keeping in body warmth. Despite this material, wearers often feel cold, but several techniques can help keep wetsuits warm.

  1. Size and Accessories

    • Ensuring the wetsuit fits correctly will maximize warmth. A loose wetsuit allows more water in. The United States Search and Rescue Task Force state that cold water removes body's heat 32 times faster than cold air, so minimizing the amount of water between body and skin prevents excessive warmth escaping. Using accessories such as gloves, boots and caps will help keep extremities warm and prevent heat loss in those areas.

    Before Immersion

    • Before getting into cold water, wetsuit users should start off as warm as possible to keep the wetsuit warmer once immersed. Pouring warm water into a wetsuit before getting into water also helps maintain body temperature. The colder the water a wetsuit immerses in, the quicker the heat loss. Limiting the time in colder waters prevents the body getting too cold.

    Between Immersion

    • Keeping as warm as possible between immersion minimizes heat lost. By avoiding standing or sitting in cold wind and, if possible, wrapping up in coats or warm clothes, you can keep body temperature higher. Pouring warm water into the wetsuit from a thermos or other source between immersion maintains body temperature longer. Avoiding diuretics, such as coffee and alcohol, between immersions helps prevent the wearer's need to urinate in the wetsuit, which only adds to the liquid between body and suit.

    New Technologies

    • New wetsuit technologies provide wearers with warming methods. Self-warming wetsuits contain chemically activated gel panels that heat up, providing extra warmth. Electronically heated wetsuits use rechargeable batteries, which heat elements the same way as an electric blanket. Drysuits are an option for some activities, and prevent water getting between skin and suit, therefore, keeping the body warmer for longer.