drysuits

Hi there all.

I'd like to get some opinions from people on the relative merits of
membrane drysuits Vs neopreane. I've always used neopreane and am about
to start a commercial diving course, so I'm looking for something rugged
and hard-wearing. I like the idea of the relative ease of donning
membrane suits and that they are comparively lighter, but get the
feeling that they don't live as long.

The school recommended Northern Diver or Otter. I've always used ND
myself but any thoughts on these or other brands is also welcome.

In article <4691231c$0$24876$9b622d9e@news.freenet.de>,
andy0grey@REMOVEgmail.com says...
> Hi there all.
>
> I'd like to get some opinions from people on the relative merits of
> membrane drysuits Vs neopreane. I've always used neopreane and am about
> to start a commercial diving course, so I'm looking for something rugged
> and hard-wearing. I like the idea of the relative ease of donning
> membrane suits and that they are comparively lighter, but get the
> feeling that they don't live as long.
>
> The school recommended Northern Diver or Otter. I've always used ND
> myself but any thoughts on these or other brands is also welcome.
>


I am not a commercial diver, but a very good friend of mine owns/runs a
commercial diving school in Charleston, SC. He likes Atlan neoprene
suits with neoprene seals. He is now an Atlan dealer, but I know he
doesn't tolerate shoddy material or anything less than excellent
service.

I use a DUI TLS membrane suit, but I wouldn't even think about using it
for what I see the commercial guys do. Some of the commercial divers
around Charleston have been happy with the toughness of the Diving
Concepts membrane suit with the little white dots. Of course, the water
there gets down to 48-50 degrees F for only a few weeks in the winter,
and then begins to warm again, and the membrane suit allows them several
options for insulation.

I don't really know anything about Northern Diver or Otter suits, so I
can't help with comparative information. I would guess that the guys who
dive for a living in your area know what works best there. You also have
to remember that service and ability to make minor repairs yourself are
very important issues with tools you use for making a living.

al

In article <4691231c$0$24876$9b622d9e@news.freenet.de>,
andy0grey@REMOVEgmail.com says...
> Hi there all.
>
> I'd like to get some opinions from people on the relative merits of
> membrane drysuits Vs neopreane. I've always used neopreane and am about
> to start a commercial diving course, so I'm looking for something rugged
> and hard-wearing. I like the idea of the relative ease of donning
> membrane suits and that they are comparively lighter, but get the
> feeling that they don't live as long.
>
> The school recommended Northern Diver or Otter. I've always used ND
> myself but any thoughts on these or other brands is also welcome.
>


I am not a commercial diver, but a very good friend of mine owns/runs a
commercial diving school in Charleston, SC. He likes Atlan neoprene
suits with neoprene seals. He is now an Atlan dealer, but I know he
doesn't tolerate shoddy material or anything less than excellent
service.

I use a DUI TLS membrane suit, but I wouldn't even think about using it
for what I see the commercial guys do. Some of the commercial divers
around Charleston have been happy with the toughness of the Diving
Concepts membrane suit with the little white dots. Of course, the water
there gets down to 48-50 degrees F for only a few weeks in the winter,
and then begins to warm again, and the membrane suit allows them several
options for insulation.

I don't really know anything about Northern Diver or Otter suits, so I
can't help with comparative information. I would guess that the guys who
dive for a living in your area know what works best there. You also have
to remember that service and ability to make minor repairs yourself are
very important issues with tools you use for making a living.

al

In article <4691231c$0$24876$9b622d9e@news.freenet.de>,
andy0grey@REMOVEgmail.com says...
> Hi there all.
>
> I'd like to get some opinions from people on the relative merits of
> membrane drysuits Vs neopreane. I've always used neopreane and am about
> to start a commercial diving course, so I'm looking for something rugged
> and hard-wearing. I like the idea of the relative ease of donning
> membrane suits and that they are comparively lighter, but get the
> feeling that they don't live as long.
>
> The school recommended Northern Diver or Otter. I've always used ND
> myself but any thoughts on these or other brands is also welcome.
>


I am not a commercial diver, but a very good friend of mine owns/runs a
commercial diving school in Charleston, SC. He likes Atlan neoprene
suits with neoprene seals. He is now an Atlan dealer, but I know he
doesn't tolerate shoddy material or anything less than excellent
service.

I use a DUI TLS membrane suit, but I wouldn't even think about using it
for what I see the commercial guys do. Some of the commercial divers
around Charleston have been happy with the toughness of the Diving
Concepts membrane suit with the little white dots. Of course, the water
there gets down to 48-50 degrees F for only a few weeks in the winter,
and then begins to warm again, and the membrane suit allows them several
options for insulation.

I don't really know anything about Northern Diver or Otter suits, so I
can't help with comparative information. I would guess that the guys who
dive for a living in your area know what works best there. You also have
to remember that service and ability to make minor repairs yourself are
very important issues with tools you use for making a living.

al

In article <4691231c$0$24876$9b622d9e@news.freenet.de>,
andy0grey@REMOVEgmail.com says...
> Hi there all.
>
> I'd like to get some opinions from people on the relative merits of
> membrane drysuits Vs neopreane. I've always used neopreane and am about
> to start a commercial diving course, so I'm looking for something rugged
> and hard-wearing. I like the idea of the relative ease of donning
> membrane suits and that they are comparively lighter, but get the
> feeling that they don't live as long.
>
> The school recommended Northern Diver or Otter. I've always used ND
> myself but any thoughts on these or other brands is also welcome.
>


I am not a commercial diver, but a very good friend of mine owns/runs a
commercial diving school in Charleston, SC. He likes Atlan neoprene
suits with neoprene seals. He is now an Atlan dealer, but I know he
doesn't tolerate shoddy material or anything less than excellent
service.

I use a DUI TLS membrane suit, but I wouldn't even think about using it
for what I see the commercial guys do. Some of the commercial divers
around Charleston have been happy with the toughness of the Diving
Concepts membrane suit with the little white dots. Of course, the water
there gets down to 48-50 degrees F for only a few weeks in the winter,
and then begins to warm again, and the membrane suit allows them several
options for insulation.

I don't really know anything about Northern Diver or Otter suits, so I
can't help with comparative information. I would guess that the guys who
dive for a living in your area know what works best there. You also have
to remember that service and ability to make minor repairs yourself are
very important issues with tools you use for making a living.

al

"Andeee" <andy0grey@REMOVEgmail.com> wrote in message
news:4691231c$0$24876$9b622d9e@news.freenet.de...
> Hi there all.
>
> I'd like to get some opinions from people on the relative merits of
> membrane drysuits Vs neopreane. I've always used neopreane and am about
> to start a commercial diving course, so I'm looking for something rugged
> and hard-wearing. I like the idea of the relative ease of donning
> membrane suits and that they are comparively lighter, but get the
> feeling that they don't live as long.
>
> The school recommended Northern Diver or Otter. I've always used ND
> myself but any thoughts on these or other brands is also welcome.

Here in the PNW, a lot of commercial divers use KME;

http://www.kmedrysuits.com/

"Andeee" <andy0grey@REMOVEgmail.com> wrote in message
news:4691231c$0$24876$9b622d9e@news.freenet.de...
> Hi there all.
>
> I'd like to get some opinions from people on the relative merits of
> membrane drysuits Vs neopreane. I've always used neopreane and am about
> to start a commercial diving course, so I'm looking for something rugged
> and hard-wearing. I like the idea of the relative ease of donning
> membrane suits and that they are comparively lighter, but get the
> feeling that they don't live as long.
>
> The school recommended Northern Diver or Otter. I've always used ND
> myself but any thoughts on these or other brands is also welcome.

Here in the PNW, a lot of commercial divers use KME;

http://www.kmedrysuits.com/

"Andeee" <andy0grey@REMOVEgmail.com> wrote in message
news:4691231c$0$24876$9b622d9e@news.freenet.de...
> Hi there all.
>
> I'd like to get some opinions from people on the relative merits of
> membrane drysuits Vs neopreane. I've always used neopreane and am about
> to start a commercial diving course, so I'm looking for something rugged
> and hard-wearing. I like the idea of the relative ease of donning
> membrane suits and that they are comparively lighter, but get the
> feeling that they don't live as long.
>
> The school recommended Northern Diver or Otter. I've always used ND
> myself but any thoughts on these or other brands is also welcome.

Here in the PNW, a lot of commercial divers use KME;

http://www.kmedrysuits.com/

"Andeee" <andy0grey@REMOVEgmail.com> wrote in message
news:4691231c$0$24876$9b622d9e@news.freenet.de...
> Hi there all.
>
> I'd like to get some opinions from people on the relative merits of
> membrane drysuits Vs neopreane. I've always used neopreane and am about
> to start a commercial diving course, so I'm looking for something rugged
> and hard-wearing. I like the idea of the relative ease of donning
> membrane suits and that they are comparively lighter, but get the
> feeling that they don't live as long.
>
> The school recommended Northern Diver or Otter. I've always used ND
> myself but any thoughts on these or other brands is also welcome.

Here in the PNW, a lot of commercial divers use KME;

http://www.kmedrysuits.com/