37In some areas the water is getting too cold in winter to allow for comfortable dives. Training in the use of a dry suit allows you to comfortably prolong your diving season. The additional airspace (next to your lungs and your BCD) will complicate your buoyancy somewhat. Dry suits also require special maintenance and your other equipment items must be adequate for use with a dry suit. Lastly there are some safety related issues of which you must be aware.

Your instructor will want a completed medical statement from you. In some regions a medical statement with only “no” answers will be sufficient for participation in the course. In other regions a medical signed and stamped by a medical doctor will be required and must unconditionally say that you are fit for diving.

You start this course by downloading the book and reading it. Your instructor will than add to that general information by explaining the models of dry suits that are available in your area and the requirements for such suits for the local diving circumstances. Next to the theory, the course has a pool or confined water session in which you learn how to “handle” your dry suit. The course is then completed with two dives in open water.

If you prefer to read your book on paper, then ask your instructor. The price for the paper version of this booklet is €4.90. If you cannot find a SCUBA C&P instructor in your area, then please contact us via info@scuba-courses.com.