Dry Suit Versus Immersion Suit: A More Practical Solution?

Commercial vessels require immersion suits, but cruisers spend more time in a dry suit. After testing an Ocean Rodeo Soul against Coast Guard standards, the author found that a good dry suit comes remarkably close to immersion suit performance—while offering dramatic advantages in wearability and utility.

By
Drew Frye
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Reading Isaac Asimov. To demonstrate humorously, but also accurately, that I spent considerable time in ice water for the test. It was as comfortable like a water bed and reading helped pass the time. In between I performed climbing, jumping, and boarding tests, as required by the immersion suit standard. I swam around the harbor a little bit, because I could and because with some ice on the water, there was zero traffic. (Photo/ Drew Frye)
Reading Isaac Asimov. To demonstrate humorously, but also accurately, that I spent considerable time in ice water for the test. It was as comfortable as a water bed and reading helped pass the time. In between I performed climbing, jumping, and boarding tests, as required by the immersion suit standard. I swam around the harbor a little bit, because I could and because with some ice on the water, there was zero traffic. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

Off season sailing, and even sailing and kayaking in cold water climates, presents the very real risk of hypothermia. Some MOBs experience a gasp reflex, gulping water. Even with a PFD they are in immediate peril, and without a PFD they may not even resurface. At best they will remain functional for only 15 minutes and perish within one to two hours, even with a PFD and foul weather gear. Immersion suits are required on commercial vessels working in cold waters—these are ungainly, one-size-fits-most creations that give you the look and grace of a B movie creature. Although minimum function standards require that you can walk and swim, you can’t work the boat in them, so they’re donned only when the boat is heading down, perhaps too late if the sinking is sudden. They’re no help at all when you just fall off. Therefore, they are not of much use in the real world.

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Drew Frye
Drew Frye, Practical Sailor’s technical editor, has used his background in chemistry and engineering to help guide Practical Sailor toward some of the most important topics covered during the past 10 years. His in-depth reporting on everything from anchors to safety tethers to fuel additives have netted multiple awards from Boating Writers International. With more than three decades of experience as a refinery engineer and a sailor, he has a knack for discovering money-saving “home-brew” products or “hacks” that make boating affordable for almost anyone. He has conducted dozens of tests for Practical Sailor and published over 200 articles on sailing equipment. His rigorous testing has prompted the improvement and introduction of several marine products that might not exist without his input. His book “Rigging Modern Anchors” has won wide praise for introducing the use of modern materials and novel techniques to solve an array of anchoring challenges. 

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