Stay Warm, Dive Longer – SSI Dry Suit Diving

The cold never bothered you anyway. Don’t let dropping temperatures end your diving season. The SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty unlocks the door to year-round diving, no matter how cold the water gets. Whether you want to explore the kelp forests of California, the crystal-clear fissures of Iceland, or simply stay toasty during long winter dives right here in Florida, a dry suit is the ultimate game-changer.

Unlike a wetsuit, which uses your body heat to warm a layer of water, a dry suit keeps you completely dry and insulated with air. This means you stay warmer, burn less energy, and can enjoy significantly longer dive times.

Why Take a Dry Suit Course?

• Year-Round Diving: Keep diving locally even when the winter chill sets in.

• Unlock Cold Destinations: Gain the skills needed to dive iconic cold-water sites like Silfra (Iceland), Scapa Flow (Scotland), or the Great Lakes wrecks.

• Stay Warm on Surface: The biggest advantage? You are dry and wind-proof the moment you get out of the water—no shivering on the boat ride back.

• Extended Bottom Time: When you aren't fighting the cold, your air consumption improves, allowing for longer, more relaxed dives.

What You Will Learn

Diving dry requires a different set of buoyancy skills than a wetsuit. We teach you how to master the "bubble."

• Buoyancy Control: Learn how to manage the air inside your suit to maintain perfect trim and avoid the "floaty feet" sensation.

• Suit Squeeze Management: Techniques to add air as you descend to prevent uncomfortable squeezing.

• Emergency Procedures: How to recover safely if you flip upside down or if a valve malfunctions.

• Care & Maintenance: Dry suits are an investment. Learn how to wax zippers, protect latex seals, and store your suit properly to make it last for years.

Expand Your Range

Ready for the extreme? The Dry Suit specialty is a mandatory prerequisite for SSI Ice Diving. It is also highly recommended for technical diving, where long decompression stops make thermal protection critical.