Dry Suit

The Dry Suit specialty course at Ocean First in Boulder, Colorado, is designed to equip divers with the skills and knowledge necessary to comfortably and safely explore colder water environments. This course typically involves two open water dives, allowing participants to practice essential techniques such as donning and doffing the suit, buoyancy control specific to dry suits, and emergency procedures. The curriculum focuses on understanding the principles behind dry suit inflation and management, ensuring divers maintain thermal protection and positive buoyancy. Ocean First, a PADI, NAUI, SDI, and SSI certified facility, provides this specialty training, preparing divers for conditions often encountered in many popular diving locations. The practical sessions are conducted in local dive sites that simulate the challenges of colder water, offering a realistic training experience.

While Boulder itself is landlocked, Ocean First's expertise in dry suit diving prepares students for destinations where water temperatures can significantly drop, especially during certain months. For instance, diving in the Pacific Northwest or the Great Lakes can involve water temperatures ranging from 4°C to 15°C (39°F to 59°F) depending on the season. Mastering dry suit diving with Ocean First ensures you can enjoy these environments with confidence, maintaining thermal comfort and excellent buoyancy control. The visibility in these colder regions can vary greatly, from excellent in clear, deep lakes to more challenging conditions in shallower, more active waters, making the skills learned in this course invaluable for a wide array of cold-water diving adventures.