A Guide to Infant Wet Suits

In this category, the bulk of available choices in infant wet suits is all about buoyancy in the water. Since the occurrence of infant scuba divers or infant competitive swimmers is extremely rare, almost all designs center around the single most important factor for infant swimmers -- keeping them afloat in the water.

In the rare instance where you happen to have an infant who is also a scuba diver or a competitive swimmer youll probably have to purchase the smallest wet suit you can possibly find in the marketplace and then have it custom-tailored to fit your special infant.  

There are individuals around, although they are few and far between, who have the tools and the skills necessary to custom design a wet suit without altering its heat-loss properties or its buoyancy which can result in a beautiful, colorful and still effective infant wet suit should someone need it. But no company is going to manufacture them, with the same input and features as an adult wet suit, for such a tiny market.

There are, however, a vast array of choices for infant wet suits depending on the cartoon character your child likes or the color patterns he might look best in. In addition, there are infant wet suits with varying degrees of buoyancy built in, depending on the swimming ability of your child.

Obviously, the Barbie Princess wet suits are for that sweet little girl in your life and those Superman ones are for the little guy who thinks hes a superhero. The most important feature to look for when purchasing an infant wet suit is maximum swimming help. Many have built-in flotation devices while some are made out of the same materials as triathlon swim suits, only more so. Since competition is not a factor, the suits can be a bit thick and clumsy, but as long as theyre keeping that little one safely afloat, thats all they have to do.

Wet Suits provides detailed information about triathlon, scuba, and surfing wet suits, as well as wet suits for kids and infants.   For more information go to http://www.e-wetsuits.com and/or visit our affiliate site at http://www.growthink.com.

Choosing the Right Wetsuit

Wetsuits have become more than just a protective gear for divers. Today, different types of wetsuits are available for different seasons. There are also more choices in smaller details, such as stitching. With all the different options, choosing the right wetsuit can be a challenge for first-time buyers. Here is a quick guide to the features you should look for when buying a wetsuit.

Design and coverage

There are four major styles of wetsuits: spring suits, full suits, farmer johns, and short johns. Each type is best suited for a certain season or the type of weather and water temperature. For instance, spring suits are popular on summer or early parts of fall. Full suits have long sleeves and ankle-length bottoms, making them ideal for cold weather. OnShort johns offer the least protection from the heat, but they allow maximum comfort and movement

Materials and construction

Most wetsuits are made from a rubber-based fabric called neoprene, which provides insulation and waterproofing. A layer of spandex or “superflex” is usually added to keep the neoprene layer from shrinking. Some wetsuits have additional fabric layers, such as merino wool for added comfort and titanium fiber for insulation.

Also check the seams for any holes or loose stitches. Make sure the seams are tightly and evenly stitched so that water cannot leak through the needle holes.

Proper fit

Wetsuits work best when they fit snugly and conform to your body, without being too tight or limiting your movement. To check for proper fit, make sure it clings tightly to your skin and provide just enough space for water to escape. Stretchable fabrics like spandex usually provide the best fit.

MORE INFORMATION AND BUYING TIPS

A complete guide to wet suits is available in Picky Guide, one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.

An Overview of A Wetsuit

The neoprene of the wetsuit contains small bubbles of nitrogen gas. Nitrogen gas has a very low thermal conductivity. This prevents the heat inside the wetsuit from escaping to the water outside of the wetsuit. If you were in the water without a wetsuit on, the heat from your body would escape to the water because the water has a very high thermal conductivity.

The wetsuit does not prevent all of the water from getting inside the wetsuit. There is a thin layer of water that is allowed to get between the suit and the skin of the diver. The skin of the diver will warm the water. The water and the wetsuit will then serve as insulation against the cold water.

The warmth you get from the wetsuit will also be determined by the thickness of the neoprene. The suit will keep you warmer if the neoprene is thicker. The thickness is measured in millimeters. The largest size is 6 millimeters. Some manufacturers will use different thickness for different parts of the suit.

Another consideration that you might have, if you are concerned about staying warm, is how well your wetsuit fits on your body. If the wetsuit is too loose of a fit on your body, then the thin layer of water between your skin and the wetsuit might escape, along with some body heat. If the suit is not a close fit then cold water might rush into the suit, which prevents the water already inside the suit from warming up. If you use flexible seals around the openings near the feet, hands and neck, this might help keep the cold water out and the warm water in. You should choose a wetsuit that fits your body as tightly as possible, but it should not be so tight that it prevents you from having your full range of movement. You do not have to worry about the wetsuit shrinking when you get into the water, because they stay close to their original size.

There are neoprene wetsuits that have nylon fabric on the inside and a smooth surface on the outside. This is known as smooth skin neoprene. This type of wetsuit will keep you warmer because the smooth surface will absorb less water.

There is another type of neoprene wetsuit that has nylon fabric on both sides. This is known as nylon 2. The nylon 2 wetsuit is more durable than the smooth skin neoprene wetsuit. The nylon fabric will strengthen the wetsuit and make it easier to slip on and off. Neoprene wetsuits can be made using either one of two processes: chemical blown or gas blown. A chemical blown wetsuit feels softer and nicer. A gas blown wetsuit is more durable but it is also more expensive.

In the last several years, wetsuits containing merino wool and titanium thread have become popular. These suits are meant to help retain more body heat. These wetsuits are also more expensive than the neoprene wetsuits. There also are wetsuits that have no coatings and these are called skins. They fit very well and are very comfortable. They are hard to slip on and off, because they are very fragile.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Wetsuit