Selecting Wetsuits For Optimum Sport Performance

By Clement Call

Not all wetsuits are designed to withstand the same type of movement. Some are built for heavy use of the knees and shoulders while others are more restrictive in the joint areas. The panels that a wetsuit is made from are stitched and glued together, creating more flexibility. Panels that come together in high motion areas can cause additional chafing, which can be very uncomfortable.

When water becomes trapped between your skin and the suit, you may feel a slight chill at first, although it's not the same shock of jumping in unprotected. In a moment, the water that is trapped warms up as an extra layer of insulation, creating additional warmth.

There are numerous different sports that require wetsuits when the water (or the air) becomes too chilly for swimming but you still have enough warmth to keep you in the game. Surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, jet skiing, water skiing and wake boarding, and of course, swimming are just a few of the main sports that will find you picking through your options early and late in the season.

If you live in a northern area you will probably need a wetsuit all year long. A simple shorty or spring suit will most likely suffice during the summer months, but having it can mean the difference between staying on the water for an hour and staying out for three or four hours. If you're in a southerly climate you might only need a light suit or even a skinsuit for much of the year, with a heavier suit for the midwinter months. Most people have more than one suit to help get them through each season.

The different styles offer you different ways to protect your body from the cold. A full suit covers you from wrist to ankle and may even come with a well fitted hood. For additional protection you can certainly add gloves and boots in order to keep all of the exposed skin covered and warmer for your sessions. Wear what is comfortable and appropriate for you and the water temperature.

A shorty is a suit that offers core protection. It has shorts, usually to just above the knee, and short or three quarter sleeves. Using three quarter sleeves gives you the option to pull the sleeves down over the elbow or push them up a bit for more arm movement. Sports like windsurfing and kiteboarding require a lot of arm movement and most people find a three quarter sleeve below the elbow to be constricting.

A "John" or a "Jane" is a suit that offers full leg coverage and core protection while it also allows for total arm movement. It's sleeveless. A light suit like this can be beneficial not just when you need a little bit of lower body warmth, but can come in handy when stinging nettles take over the water.

You will probably need more than one style and one weight when it comes to the perfect suit. You will have days when a shorty is perfect and then there will be days when a heavy, thick full suit with a hood is called for. Having multiple options extends your season and your session options. With every suit, you have to ensure that you have chosen well and have a back up on hand. Participating in a water sport with a suit that is too light can hamper your ability to perform well and can hamper your ability to swim to safety if needed. - 29892

About the Author:

Clement writes for the wetsuits information site where you can learn everything you need to know about buying wetsuits. Just check this wetsuit buying guide for instance.

Deep Sea Diving: A Great Livlihood

By Owen Jones

If you like to go scuba diving but you are tired of diving in the customary places, then you might want think about trying for something more adventurous like deep sea diving.

Deep sea diving is rated the greatest variety of scuba diving there is. Whether you are a recreational diver or you want to start a career in scuba diving, deep sea diving is a challenging offshoot of examining the underwater world.

Like scuba diving, you will be using some of the standard equipment, such as regulators, scuba tanks, lead weights, BCD, wetsuit or dry suit, fins, mask, and others. However, you have to realize that there is still quite a lot of equipment and some particular abilities that you will have to learn in order to become a deep sea diver or what is often named a technical diver in the non-professional diving world.

In professional diving circles, deep sea diving is often referred to as commercial diving. If you like diving so much and you want to make a living out of it, one of the best occupational choices is being a commercial diver.

But, before you don your scuba diving equipment and apply for a career as a commercial diver, you have to know that commercial diving is a different sort of diving. There is high tech equipment implicated and you will also have to learn how to use special tools.

Commercial divers are often used in underwater construction and underwater reclamation projects to name but two. You will have to handle dangerous materials and manage special tools to get the work done. For example, there will be times where you will need to attach high explosives underwater to blow up sunken ships that are a hazard to other ships, and you will also have to deal with undersea welding for underwater construction.

Decontaminating the hulls of ships is also a component of the job of a commercial diver. On oil rigs, you will be called on to fix problems with an oil rig undersea, or you will also be called on to assemble or weld pipelines.

Because of the dangers of commercial diving, you will need to go to a special commercial diving school initially, where you will be instructed how to deal with the special equipment used in commercial diving. |Furthermore, you will be taught about underwater pressure, as well as the different gear used in commercial diving, such as the full face mask, the helmet, lead boots and other things.

Commercial diving really is very different from recreational diving. In diving school, deep sea diving is often the subject, but here you will also be instructed about the different types of air mixes, particularly the trimix, that is used for breathing undersea. You will also learn the subject of diving medicine like how to deal with decompression sickness and nitrogen narcosis.

Although there are hazards in commercial diving, accidents are rare., which just goes to show that commercial divers are well-trained. There is just no room for error in commercial diving, which is why commercial divers train very hard in order to go into their profession.

If you would like to become a deep sea diver, then becoming a commercial diver probably is the correct job choice for you. You will not only be able to earn a lot of money, but you will also have a job that is full of excitement and exciting activity. - 29892

About the Author:

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a lot of topics, but is currently occupied with Body Glove wetsuit products. If you would like to know more about Body Glove Wetsuit Sale, please go over to our website for some impressive bargains.

Scuba Diving Tours

By Owen Jones

When it comes to scuba diving, many swimmers are misinformed. They think that you have to be a competent diver and a strong swimmer to enjoy underwater swimming.

However, this is simply not true, although before you go scuba diving in the open sea, it is sensible that you have some fundamental knowledge of diving and good swimming skills. However, you do not have to be an experienced diver. After all, everyone has to go scuba diving for the first time.

Scuba diving is a pretty self-explanatory activity really. Scuba divers can be seen in many movies and in many amusement parks. While the general idea of scuba diving is the same everywhere in the world, what you will see underwater is not. There are a number of underwater animals and plants that can only be seen in certain countries. This is one of the reasons why you should book a scuba diving voyage carefully.

In Thailand for instance, scuba divers are often able to swim with porpoise and sea turtles. This alone is worth the cost of scuba diving for many people. Aside from swimming with aquatic animals, you can also spend your scuba diving vacation examining life and the surroundings undersea.

Just a few of the many marine creatures that you can easily see in Thailand are giant lobsters, electric eels, sting rays and a large number of different kinds of fish. The fish found in Thai waters are very diverse because of the incredible environment they have there, which includes natural reefs, sandbanks and wrecks..

Maritime creatures are unquestionably the most exciting part of scuba diving, but there are also other submarine activities in which to participate. For example, many scuba divers enjoy diving along coral reefs. Coral reefs are not only home to a large quantity of marine animals, but they are also great to explore. You will find it stimulating swimming around the many different shaped reefs.

Having said this, unless you are an experienced underwater diver, you should go scuba diving with a trained professional. These professionals are most commonly found by means of scuba diving tour groups. Scuba diving tour groups can be found all along the coast of Thailand. Scuba diving is a prevalent pastime among foreigners in Thailand, so you would be astute to book your scuba diving trips well ahead of time.

As well as booking a scuba dive with a trained diver, you can also take scuba diving lessons at most coastal resorts in Thailand. Many of these places also offer guided tours. Scuba diving lessons are obtainable as group lessons or private lessons. Private lessons may be a little more costly, but many first time scuba divers find them worthwhile, in more ways than one.

To find guided tours designed for scuba divers, you can ask in local sea front bars, at your hotel reception or at the nearest tourist information office. Whether you have already selected your destination or not, you will easily be able to uncover local underwater tours or lesson, especially in the more popular Thai cities like Pattaya and Phuket. The things that you will see underwater will make your holiday even more unforgettable and make you wish you had started years previously. - 29892

About the Author:

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on a lot of subjects, but is currently involved with Body Glove wetsuit products. If you would like to know more about Body Glove Wetsuit Sale, please go over to our website for some great offers.

Occupations in Deep Sea Diving

By Owen Jones

Have you ever considered an elite occupation? If you have, then you may have a lot of different careers in mind. If you enjoy scuba diving, then you may be asking yourself what kind of career you can get from scuba diving aside from being a scuba diving instructor. Apart from just being able to explore the ocean, you will see that there are occupations that entail deep sea diving.

There are a lot of occupations that involve deep sea diving. One such occupation is that of being a commercial diver. This kind of diving requires a lot of bravery and stringent qualifications.

Deep sea divers are implicated in a lot of sorts of work. One is salvage operations on sunken ships, while others include the decontaminating of the hulls of ships. Deep sea divers are also required on deep sea oil rigs to weld pipes underwater as well as clean steel.

There is a wide scope of projects that require commercial divers. However, training is very rigorous because you will have to deal with hazardous materials undersea, such as high explosives and you will be in dangerous situations too. In this regard, commercial divers are distinctive from average recreational divers, because they are well-trained in all aspects of diving safety to the point that everything they do undersea should be just right.

So, how does one become a commercial diver? First of all, you have to recollect that commercial diving is different from recreational diving. Having an open water qualification is simply not adequate for you to become a qualified commercial diver. You still have to go to train for this type of employment.

In commercial diving school, you will be taught all about dive tables and how to use them. You will also be taught about undersea welding and how to handle high explosives underwater. Safety is the most significant aspect of commercial diving.

You will also be instructed on undersea communications and emergency safety procedures in case something goes wrong. In commercial diving, you will also learn about the dangers of working underwater, particularly in deep diving, where nitrogen narcosis is very common. You will also learn about the symptoms of nitrogen sickness or bends and how to detect if a fellow diver is suffering from nitrogen narcosis.

You will also be taught about the different air mixes necessary to diving, such as air, nitrox, and trimix. This is important as you will be breathing it undersea. Using the wrong mix when you go deep sea diving can be fatal.

Commercial diving is a promising occupation that is full of adventure. The pay is one of the best in the world and you will also be able to utilize hi-tech scuba diving equipment, such as rebreathers, state-of-the-art undersea scooters, undersea radio communications, as well as hi-tech industrial tools.

Deep sea diving occupations, such as commercial diving is a rewarding occupation. If you have the courage for it and you want a occupation that is full of adventure, then commercial diving is for you. Just remember that in deep sea diving, safety must always come first. Remember these things and you can be sure that you will be able to have a wonderful and fulfilling occupation as a commercial diver. - 29892

About the Author:

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a lot of topics, but is currently occupied with Body Glove wetsuit products. If you would like to know more about Body Glove Wetsuit Sale, please go over to our website for some impressive bargains.

Important Parts Of Wetsuits To Use

By Clement C.

If you are interested in water activities it helps to look into wetsuits for your needs. However no two wetsuits are alike. It will help to watch for various parts of wetsuits. These parts can be very important for various different water activities.

First you will need to take a look at the neoprene that is used in a wetsuit. It is used so that the user can stay flexible in the water. When looking into a wetsuit you should check out the neoprene content that it has. Some suits have full neoprene content and can cover the entire body. Some are also thirty percent suits that cover the arms, back and shoulders.

Neoprene can also handle water very well. Water should be able to be properly repelled by the neoprene. When this works the suit will be able to keep water from getting into one's suit. As a result the body will be able to stay warm.

Each wetsuit will have a different thickness level to it. It helps to watch for the thickness with regards to the two numbers that is used. The first number deals with suit thickness in the torso and the second deals with the limbs. For instance, a 4/3 suit is four millimeters thick in the torso and three millimeters in the limbs. Remember that different thickness levels work for different wetsuits.

It is also helpful to watch for the temperature that the wetsuit will be used in. Different thickness levels are best for different water temperatures. A rule of thumb is to use a thicker suit for colder water. An example is to use a 3/2mm suit in sixty degree Fahrenheit water. By using a suit that is appropriate for temperatures it will be easier to keep comfortable.

Seams on a wetsuit can vary and different types are recommended for different temperatures. There are some forms of seams that can be used for different types of wetsuits. Flatlock seam stitching is commonly used for warm water conditions. The seams are built in a flat feel and are comfortable but water can get through in some cases.

For colder temperatures the use of sealed seams can help. With these types seams are glued first and are then stitched. Some seams in this case are taped together in the inside. This option is one that will keep from getting water to move into the suit.

Zippers can make an impact on the build of a wetsuit. The length of the zipper will be important to watch for. Shorter zippers will help to make the suit more flexible. They can make it harder for a person to put on a suit though. The barrier used around the zipper should be considered too because it will need to keep water out.

When checking out wetsuits you will need to look into these important qualities. You should watch for how the suit can handle water through its neoprene. The thickness of the suit and the seams used are also important. These are used to help you with getting the best experience in the water. - 29892

About the Author:

Clement writes for the wetsuit information website where you can find out everything you need to know about wetsuits. Just check this complete wetsuit guide for instance.

My Favorite Maldives Holiday - The Bandos Island Resort

By Shelley Swartzer

I have visited 8 Maldives resorts in the past 6 years and I have now been to Bandos twice and I can honestly say that I shall be going back! I have tried to present an objective overview in this article for anyone considering visiting it, or who is not sure which island to choose.

Bandos was closed during 2005 being practically rebuilt, the resort that is not the island, and reopened as a new resort. The resulting resort is magnificent in my opinion. Being in close proximity to the capital Male makes the transfer to Bandos by boat short and sweet, which makes it very attractive to many holiday makers who don't wish to board a seaplane to visit some of the more remote islands. The resort has great facilities and is also very family orientated, resulting in what has become a very popular resort in the last few years.

As well as the sheer beauty of this island, the food and service here is top class. One of the focal points of the resort is the lighthouse restaurant, which has a white peaked spire, making it the only building on the resort that doesn't have a thatched roof. You will see the lighthouse in most of the marketing pictures for this resort.

The other restaurant is the Cayenne Grill which prepares a range of meat, seafood and vegetarian options to your own requirements and presents this at one of the individual thatched pavilions at the waters edge.

There are 3 different category of room on the resort, as is typical with most Maldives island resorts - water villas, Baros villas and the Deluxe villas. The attention to detail and the workmanship is second to none, and walking into these rooms for the first time makes you feel good about arriving - always important for me. There are designer fittings, concealed plasma Tv, quality coffee maker, and more importantly for me, a well-stocked wine cooler.

Every room in this resort is just a few strides away from beach or lagoon and each has a large decked verandah complete with a daybed. Combine this with the 24 hour room service and the well stocked wine cooler, and its not surprising that many guests stay put by their rooms for days on end.

With a fine and easily accessible reef encircling most of the island the snorkeling is really good here on Bandos (yes I am actually writing this while on the island)!. The PADI dive school is very friendly and offers open water courses and beginners can try an introductory dive in the lagoon. There are more than 30 dive sites you can visit from Baros and with several trips per day even the most avid divers have plenty to go at. There is a Marine Biologist on hand to provide talks and accompany the snorkeling and diving trips sometimes to chat about the local marine life for those who want to know more.

All in all you really are hard pushed to beat Bandos island for a rewarding tropical getaway. - 29892

About the Author:

Shelley is a journalist and writes about tropical holiday resorts such as Bandos island and other Maldives island resorts.