TIL a drysuit isn't just for cold water - I was totally wrong about that

For years I thought drysuits were only for those icy North Sea jobs up in Scotland or Norway. I mostly work in the Gulf around Louisiana so I stuck with wetsuits thinking dry would be too hot and bulky. Then I did a two week job near Port Fourchon last March where the water was like 55 degrees and I was freezing after 20 minutes on the bottom. A buddy let me borrow his spare DUI drysuit for a day and I couldn't believe how warm I stayed even 3 hours in. Now I get why people wear them in warmer water too - it's not just about temperature, it's about staying dry and being able to layer right. Still adjusting to the extra buoyancy though. Anyone else switch late in their career and wish they did it sooner?

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cora5622mo ago

Oh wow, that's really interesting. I actually just heard something on a diving podcast about how some guys down in Florida wear drysuits in the summer just to avoid getting stung by jellyfish and stuff in the water. I never really thought about that angle, but it makes sense. And yeah, I can see how being dry would beat always being wet and cold even in warmer conditions... just a whole different kind of comfort.

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victor_carr542mo ago

Yeah jellyfish stings are no joke, I got hit by one last summer and it ruined my whole trip. Totally get why people would go that route.

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