The Complete Handbook of Drysuits

A drysuit is not a generic piece of water sports apparel. It is a sealed, thermally protective barrier between you and water that can be below freezing, and its failure—a failed seal, a puncture, improper fit, or wrong material for your climate—can lead to rapid hypothermia in minutes.

Yet most drysuit buyers and users rely on manufacturer marketing, forum hearsay, and guesswork when choosing, using, and maintaining their suits. This handbook consolidates practical, specification-driven knowledge for professionals, serious hobbyists, and businesses who need to make informed decisions about drysuits and the equipment around them.

You will learn how drysuits actually work (and how they fail), how to evaluate specifications that matter versus marketing claims that don't, how to choose the right suit for your specific water temperature and activity, how to set up and maintain a drysuit over its lifespan, how to diagnose and fix common problems, and concrete business models—rentals, retail, servicing, consulting—for making money in this market. Whether you are a commercial diver, rescue team, instructor, serious hobbyist, or equipment business, this handbook is your reference.