How to Find Used Dive Suits & Weight Belts

Exposure suits and proper weighting are essential for safe scuba diving. The geographic area you're diving in will dictate the average water temperature and the conditions to consider when choosing the right exposure suit. The type of dive suit and your equipment determine the correct weighting. You can get good deals on used dive suits and weight belts with a little persistence.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
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Instructions

  1. Correct Fit: Dive Suit and Weight Belt

    • 1

      Determine the best exposure suit for your needs. A skin suit provides up to 1 mm of protection. A wetsuit is usually made of neoprene and varies in thickness (and combination of thickness), configuration (such as full suits; half suits, called shorties; jackets and under suits, called farmer johns) and type (such as semi-dry).
      Dry suits vary in types of material (such as rubber, trilaminate and crushed neoprene).

    • 2

      Dive suits vary in sizing according to the manufacturers. Exposure suits should fit snugly but not so tight to cause constriction. Write down your normal shirt, pants and shoe sizes.

    • 3

      Find a suit that fits these measurements of your body: height, weight, shoulders (i.e., from one end of your shoulder to the end of the other), torso (i.e., from your neck to your crotch), chest, waist, hips and inseam.

    • 4

      Weight belts can have weights threaded through the strap or contained in pouches affixed to a belt or harness system.
      The size of your weight belt should be greater than your waist size, to accommodate the thickness of your exposure suit: Add approx. 3 to 5 inches to your waist measurement. (If needed, you can usually cut the weight belt to your desired length.)

    Contact Local Sources for Dive Suits and Weight Belts

    • 5

      Ask your dive buddies or instructors whether they know of anyone upgrading or selling gear. Dive suits are usually stored away when not in use and easily forgotten.

    • 6

      Contact local dive shops to see whether they sell used rental suits and/or dive belts. Dive shops often rotate their rental inventory, so if they don't have used items for sale, they will often tell you how often they evaluate their stock.
      Dive shops are usually affiliated to provide training with a specific certifying agency (such as PADI, NAUI or SSI). Be sure to check for shops with affiliations beyond your certifying agency.

    • 7

      Check Craigslist.org for items for sale by using keywords "scuba" and "diving."
      Alternatively, you can post an Item Wanted on Craigslist: Follow the instructions for posting on this site (requires a valid e-mail address).
      If you find a seller with an appropriate dive suit and/or weight belt, contact them via telephone or e-mail address with sizing questions and to arrange for inspection and transaction. Be sure to bring your tape measure if there's no opportunity to try on the suit.

    • 8

      Check out Items for Sale under Forums on your area's ScubaBoard (scubaboard.com).

    Online Auctions

    • 9

      Online auctions give you plenty of opportunities to find used items or heavily discounted items. Check out eBay (eBay.com), Yahoo auctions (shopping.yahoo.com) or uBid (ubid.com). Oftentimes, you can browse through listings. You must have an account to bid or to purchase items.

    • 10

      The listings often include pictures and details of the items, including the condition and age of the item. Before bidding, be sure to request photos and/or measurements.
      Remember that used exposure suits deteriorate with age.

    • 11

      To get a total estimate for the item, remember to add tax and shipping and handling charges onto the final price. Check to see whether the seller offers a return or replacement policy.