Selecting a Scuba Diving Wetsuit in Northern Virginia

Scuba Diving is popular all over the United States, not just in warm climate areas like Florida or the Caribbean.   My Dive Center, Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy is located in Alexandria, Northern Virginia where we have a large number of scuba divers.  Divers in this area need scuba diving wetsuits for the colder water in this area and often a second wetsuit for diving while on a scuba diving vacation or trip to the Caribbean.

Selecting the right scuba diving wetsuit is important for your comfort and  safety.   There are several sports that use wetsuits but wetsuits designed for other sports generally do not work properly for scuba diving.  That is because sports like kayaking and windsurfing require a loose fit in the arms for paddling and are designed to drain when the participant is out of the water.  Scuba Divers are constantly under the water so the suit fits tighter and has less dexterity since divers do not use their arms.

Scuba Diving Wetsuits for Warm water scuba diving

Many of the scuba divers in this area scuba dive primarily in warmer water locations, like Florida or the Caribbean.  Divers in these areas prefer a thinner scuba diving wetsuit like a 3mm suit.    These wetsuit are usually one piece jumpsuits like the H2 Wetsuit or the Thermoprene scuba diving wetsuits by Henderson.  Henderson wetsuits are the finest made and Henderson is a pioneer in new wetsuit materials.  Women, who traditionally get colder then men would use either a 3mm suit or perhaps a 5mm suit.    Another alternative for women is to use a neoprene shorty on top of the 3mm wetsuit or a hooded vest underneath like the Scuba Pro Hooded Vest.

Scuba Diving Wetsuits for Cold Water Scuba Diving

There are a lot of scuba divers in the Northern Virginia area and many of us train and dive locally.  Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy offers scuba diving certification year round in Northern Virginia.   We do our training dives in a local lake.  In addition there is a large amount of wreck diving up and down the Atlantic Coast.  Divers in this area would use a 7mm scuba diving wetsuit.  They would also use neoprene hood and gloves for extra warmth. The Scuba Pro Hooded Vest could also be used under the 7mm Henderson Wetsuit.

Henderson USA wetsuits has a new line of extra warm wetsuits called Aqua Lock.  These wetsuits offer an interlocking wrist and ankle to prevent water entry insuring extra warmth.

Aquatic Adventures – Dry Suit Diving – DUI Dry Suits and Dry Suit Training in Northern Virginia:

Some divers in this area also scuba dive with dry suits.  The DUI Dry Suits for scuba diving are very popular and the highest in quality.  The DUI TLS-350 is perhaps the most popular of all dry suits sold in this area.  Dry Suit diving is very different then regular scuba diving and it is recommended that anyone using a dry suit for the first time take a Dry Suit training course like the PADI Dry Suit Diver Course.

Dry Suit diving has become so popular that DUI now has a Dry Suit for warmer water diving – the 30/30 Dry Suit.

Aquatic Adventures – Children’s Wetsuits – Children’s Scuba Diving Courses and Children’s Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia:

Today children as young as 8 years old can take pool only scuba lessons such a the PADI Seal Team course.  Here they learn the same scuba diving skills that adults learn.  Once they reach the age of 10 they can take the PADI Junior Open Water Course.  Proper scuba dive training for children should be done by Instructors who are experienced in teaching children. At Aquatic Adventures we not only train children but have trained many Boy Scouts in preparation for Sea Base and the Scuba Diving Merit Badge.

Children get much colder then adults and it is vitally important that children have the appropriate thermal protection of a wetsuit.   Buoyancy Control Devices and even the length of scuba regulator hoses often have to be adjusted to accommodate the smaller sizes of children.
The scuba diving wetsuit is a personally fitted item and one of the first pieces of equipment that the new diver should purchase.

Aquatic Adventures – Northern Virginia Dive Center: Scuba Dive Computers offer both Safety & Convenience

For years all scuba divers used special Dive Tables to tell them how long they could stay down at any given depth, and how long they needed to wait prior to making another dive.  The advantage of the Dive Tables is that they are inexpensive, fairly easy to use and most importantly they teach you the basics regarding diving depths and safety.  However, today, most divers use Scuba Dive Computers to calculate these allowable dive times and to record their dives.  In fact the Scuba Dive Computer is usually one of the first pieces of scuba dive equipment that most divers purchase.

All computers are similar in the way they work.  They all include a program to determine how long you can stay down and depth gauge to determine what depth you are actually at.  The Dive Computer is far more accurate then the dive tables since it knows what depth you are at any time throughout the dive.

What are the Differences in Scuba Dive Computers?

Air Only Dive Computers

There are several different types of Scuba Diving Computers from the simplest one button air only dive computer, like the Aeris XR-1 to the far more complex air integrated dive computers like the Aeris Diving Equipment T-3 or the Scuba Pro Diving Equipment Uwatec Luna.  Just what are the differences between them?  The simplest is the air only computer.  It can only be calculate air dive tables so you do not get the extra bottom time that nitrox or enriched air tables might give you.

The One Button vs Two Button Dive Computer

One button dive computers like the Sherwood Diving Equipment Profile Computer are the least expensive.  They are a little more difficult to navigate since one button controls both the function control and the control to move within that function.  A two button computer like the Scuba Pro Diving Equipment Uwatec Aladin Computer  is slightly more expensive but it is much easier to navigate since one button changes function and a second button moves within that function.

Air Integrated Dive Computers

Today many scuba divers like the convenience and ease of an air integrated dive computer like the Aeris Diving Equipment T-3 or the Scuba Pro Diving Equipment Uwatec Luna.  These computers will not only monitor your no decompression dive time but they will also calculate exactly how much air you have in your scuba cylinder and what your remaining.  This adds quite a bit of a safety factor since it almost eliminates any chance of running out of air while scuba diving.  In fact Aeris Scuba Diving Equipment even has an air integrated computer that fits into your scuba mask called the “Compumask” offering hands free use.

Air Integrated Computers with a Hose or Hoseless

Air Integrated Computers can come either with a hose to connect to the scuba diving regulator or with a radio transmitter so that they are hoseless.  The Air Integrated Dive Computers with a hose like the Sherwood Scuba Diving  Equipment Wisdom or the Aeris Scuba Diving Equipment AI are both excellent computers and very easy to use.  Aeris Scuba Diving Equipment also makes a hoseless model like the T-3 or the Scuba Pro Diving Equipment Uwatec Luna which is also hoseless.   The ones with a hose are less expensive.  The ones that utilize a radio transmitter have one less hose to deal with making things simpler.

Other Features – Digital Compass

There are many other features available in Scuba Diving Computers such as a Digital Compass.  Zeagle Scuba Diving Equipment offers the N2ition 3 Dive Computer with a built in digital compass.  The Scuba Pro Uwatec Luna also offers a built in digital compass in a hoseless air integrated model.

READ THE MANUAL

Regardless of which model an what features that you select it is very important that you read the owner’s manual.  This is necessary for safety  and to make sure that you are able to get the most out of your new piece of scuba diving equipment.  Reading the Owner’s Manual will also help you prevent making common scuba equipment related mistakes.  Last but not least – now get out and dive.

Selecting Your Buoyancy Control Device or BCD in Northern Virginia

Your Buoyancy Control Device or BCD is probably one of the very first items of Scuba Diving Equipment that a Scuba Diver should purchase for his or her self.   Since the BCD is such a personally fitted piece of equipment it is important that it fit properly in order to get the most control and comfort from it.   Rental BCD’s rarely fit properly and if they do not have your size in rental you will have to make do with a size that really not only does not fit but may be a safety hazard as well.  Selecting the right Buoyancy Control Device for you is very important.

What is a Buoyancy Control Device?

Your BCD is a device that performs many important functions while scuba diving.  It holds your scuba cylinder in place on your back.  In addition it has a bladder that can be filled with air from your scuba regulator allowing you to adjust the amount of buoyancy that you have during your scuba dive.  When it is inflated it becomes positively buoyant allowing the scuba diver to float on the surface with ease.  When you let all the air out the scuba diver becomes negatively buoyant and can sink below the surface of the water.  By putting a small amount of air in the BCD you can become neutrally buoyant at depth allowing you to float effortlessly at any given depth.

Types of Buoyancy Control Devices – Jackets vs Rear Inflation

There are two main types of BCD’s – the Jacket Style and the Rear Inflation Style.  The Jacket is the most common since it has been around longer.  The Jacket Style has a bladder that goes almost all the way around the BCD that inflates when you add air.  The Jacket Style tends to float you more upright on the surface but when diving you are at more of an angle at depth then horizontal so there is more drag.   The wider bladder on the Jacket Style also creates more drag then the Rear Inflation BCD.  The Sherwood Avid BCD and the Scuba Pro Glide Pro BCD are two fine Jacket style BCD’s that also feature integrated weights to allow more comfort and versatility.

The Rear Inflation BCD has a bladder in the back of the BCD.  Since the bladder is only in the back it is more streamlined and tends to float you more horizontally when diving at depth.  The Scuba Pro Knight Hawk BCD and the Zeagle Stiletto BCD are two of the most popular rear inflation BCD’s available for men.  The Sherwood Luna BCD and the  Scuba Pro Lady Hawk BCD along with the Zeagle Zena BCD are among the most popular BCD’s designed for women.  All of these fine Buoyancy Control Devices feature weight integration as well.

The Importance of Lift in a Buoyancy Control Device

Since  Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy is located in the Alexandria area of Northern Virginia we are diving locally in predominately cold water.  Since we are in colder water we need to wear a thicker scuba diving wetsuit for warmth.   The thicker wetsuits also require additional weights when diving to offset their increase natural buoyancy.  Thus a Buoyancy Control Device used in these waters has to have more lift then a Buoyancy Control Device used only in warm water.  A Buoyancy Control Device that is used in cold water can easily be used in warm water.  The reverse, however, is not true.  Buoyancy Control Devices designed for warm water usually do not have enough lift for colder water and can create a dangerous situation for the diver when diving in cold water.

Special Buoyancy Control Devices for Women and Children

Women and children and built differently then men.  A women requires a Buoyancy Control Device that is designed for the female frame.  It usually is cut shorter in the waist, higher in the hips and the straps articulate back farther then a Man’s BCD in order not impinge on the bust line.  A child lacks the shape and development of an adult.  In addition their smaller size dictates that an appropriate BCD for a child be built smaller then that for an adult.  Just as you would seek specialized scuba courses for a child you will want specialized scuba equipment for a child diver.

How Do I Decide Which is Best for Me?

Selecting any Scuba Diving Equipment starts by selecting a place to purchase the equipment.  A quality Dive Center will have a good variety of quality scuba equipment to choose from.  In addition they will have staff that is knowledgeable about the equipment that they sell.  They should be able to offer SCUBA Diving Equipment Servicing after the sale to enable you to get the most out of your purchase.  The staff should take the time to describe the features of the various Buoyancy Control Devices and show you how to work the releases and adjustments.  They should above all be an Authorized Dealer for the brands of equipment that they sell and they should stand behind the equipment and assist you with any problems after the sale.  It does not hurt to ask others who have dealt with the Dive Center what they think about the service.

A good quality Buoyancy Control Device will last years and years with proper care.  Purchasing one from a knowledgeable Dealer, trying it on to make sure it fits, and knowing that the Dealer will service it after the sale and stand behind the product will insure that you are happy with your purchase and get the most for your money.

Selecting Your Scuba Diving Regulator in Northern Virginia

Why would selecting a Scuba Diving Regulator in Northern Virginia be any different then in selecting a Scuba Diving Regulator anywhere else?  The answer lies in the temperature of the local diving conditions.  Open Water dives in the North Eastern United States is definitely colder then in the Caribbean, therefore the Scuba Diving Equipment being used must be appropriate for the environment.   Aside from that what other factors will determine what Scuba Diving Regulator you will select for you use?  Lets take a look at these factors one at a time.

How Deep Will You Be Diving With Your Scuba Diving Regulator?

A Scuba Diving Regulator will have to pump more air on deeper dives then it will on shallower dives.  Therefore Scuba Divers who often dive deeper will need a Scuba Regulator that is balanced so that it breathes evenly throughout the dive regardless of depth.  All reputable regulator manufacturers make balanced regulators but like anything else some are better then others.  In addition the manufacturers will make balanced regulators in several price ranges so that they can provide product for divers regardless of price range.  For example Sherwood Diving Equipment offers the Brut Regulator, the Magnum Regulator and the SR-1 Regulator which are all come with various features to fit most price ranges.  ScubaPro and Zeagle do the same.   ScubaPro offers the MK25/s600, the MK11/C300 while Zeagle will offer the Mark VII, the  50-D and the DS-V Regulators.  Sub Gear will offer both the Cayman Regulator and the Bonaire Regulator for those divers seeking a balanced regulator.  Obviously if you are doing any type of technical diving you would want a regulator that is balanced for deeper diving.

Diving with Enriched Air – Nitrox:

Not all Scuba Diving Regulators are approved for use with Enriched Air – Nitrox.  Some are approved out of the box and some must have a conversion kit installed in order to use Enriched Air.  Some cannot use enriched air at all.  Scuba Pro Regulators, Zeagle Regulators, Mares Regulators and Aeris Regulators are approved for use with Nitrox out of the box.  The newer Sherwood Regulators are also approved for use with Nitrox.  Since Technical Divers often dive with enriched air or other mixtures your scuba regulator must be able to accommodate these mixtures.

How Cold is the Water?

We mentioned earlier in this article that water temperature has a bearing of the Scuba Diving Regulator that you might use.  In colder water your Scuba Regulator should be either environmentally sealed or have a special heat sink to allow its use in colder water.  Sherwood Regulators, most Zeagle Regulators and many of the Aeris Regulators are environmentally sealed.  Several of the ScubaPro regulators such as the MK25 have heat sinks installed to allow its use in colder water.  The Scuba Pro MK17 is also environmentally sealed.  The use of regulators that are not environmentally sealed or do not have a heat sink can lead to free flows in colder water.

Proper Care of Your Diving Equipment:

Regardless of how good your diving equipment is unless you take proper care of it you will not get the most from it nor will it last as long as it should.  Any Quality Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy will provide proper support for your equipment after you have purchased it.  This should include both instruction on proper use and service after the purchase.  Proper instruction on your equipment care after the purchase should include the do’s and don’ts of what to do and not to do regarding your purchase.  This includes helping you, the consumer, with warranty repairs if needed.

Where to Buy Your Scuba Equipment?

Deciding to buy scuba equipment is only the first step.  Deciding what to buy and where to buy it is just as important.  Since all major Scuba Equipment Manufacturers make quality products deciding where to buy it may be the single most important decision of all.  Select a Dive Center that has a good reputation, has been in business for a long while and has a good reputation for both quality equipment and standing behind the equipment that they sell.  In Northern Virginia, Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy has one of the finest reputations if not the finest reputation for quality product, standing behind the products that they sell and post purchase service of any dive center in the Northern Virginia, D.C. Metropolitan Area.