How do I tell if I have a good fitting scuba diving wetsuit?

Wetsuits should be purchased from a manufacturer who is involved with the sport and has an understanding of the special needs that you have. Body Glove, Xcel Wetsuits, IST, Scuba Max, Action Plus just to name a few. When trying on a suit for the first time you may find it a bit of a struggle, especially if you are hot and perspiring. Once you have succeeded in getting the suit done up, relax for a while to let the suit ‘creep’. Circulating the arms slowly can encourage this. After the wetsuit has settled it should feel very firm, perhaps slightly constricting. A test to ensure it is not too tight is to open the back zip, if the two sides come apart by more than 4cms especially around the chest area, it is too tight. Choose the next size up, or choose a made to measure. If a wetsuit feels loose or you are able to pinch the neoprene between fingers and thumb, it is probably too big, which will encourage water flushing and drag when swimming. The most important feature to watch out for is that you are able to turn the arms in a full circle without constriction. To remove the suit undo the zip using the pull cord and peel off inside out all the way down. In a dry setting this may seem a little difficult but after a race when the suit is wet this will be much easier as the water on the suit acts as a lubricant. Do not be afraid to give the suit a little rough treatment i.e. standing on it to speed up the process of removing it from the legs.

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