Risks - Uwatec WETSUITS Manual

Post-Dive Check:
After EVERY dive, repeat the pre-dive check while watching for any new damage that
might have occurred during the dive. If any damage is detected, make immediate repairs, if
possible, or take your suit to an Authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer for repair. That way you can
be sure your suit will be ready to go for your next dive outing.

RISKS

Hypothermia/Hyperthermia:
Wetsuits are commonly used in conditions where the water is cold both at the surface and
at depth, as well as where the water is warm at the surface but cold water deeper down.
Whatever the conditions you're diving in, you need to be aware of your own thermal comfort
range so you can prevent getting chilled or overheated. If your body loses too much heat
and its temperature dips to unsafe levels, you are experiencing hypothermia. If your body
temperature rises above its normal range, that's hyperthermia. While hypothermia is what
normally comes to mind when dealing with diving, hyperthermia is not uncommon, and it
can sneak up on you during surface intervals in warm climates, while diving in warm, shallow
waters, or when engaged in activities that require a higher-than-normal workload. Because
of this, during any warm-water diving activity you need to constantly monitor your workload
to prevent excessive gas consumption, fatigue, stress or overheating. On the other hand,
when diving in cold water, always wear gloves, boots and a hood to minimize the risk of
hypothermia.
By properly protecting your body and its extremities, and by being aware of your own
limitations and comfort range, you will be able to recognize a potentially dangerous situation
before it's too late. Hypothermia and hyperthermia can be harmful and possibly fatal
conditions.
Buoyancy Changes at Depth:
All neoprene products used in SCUBA diving use closed-cell foam to provide thermal
protection. As you descend, the increase in pressure causes these cells to compress,
resulting in a reduction of buoyancy. Being aware of this loss of buoyancy, and being
prepared to compensate for it, is vital in maximizing the comfort and efficiency of your new
wetsuit.
Thermal Protection Loss at Depth:
When neoprene compresses under pressure (see above) the thermal performance of the
material is also reduced. If you plan to extend your bottom time at deeper depths you must
be prepared for this loss of thermal protection by either wearing a thicker wetsuit or adding
thermal under-layers.
Allergies:
A small percentage of the population experiences allergic reactions to neoprene, polyester
and nylon. Be aware of any possible reactions you might be experiencing when wearing your
new wetsuit and take appropriate action.
Thermal resistant:
Thermal performance classes of materials based on their immersed thermal resistance at
1 bar and 6 bar. Please refer to the following table. It lists the CE thermal classifications
for wetsuits for a variety of water temperatures. You can find your new wetsuit's thermal
performance class printed on the suit.
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