SDI Dry Suit Diver Course

A wetsuit works by trapping a thin layer of water against your skin and letting your body heat it. That works fine down to a certain temperature. Below that, you get cold, you get out early, and the dive ends before you want it to.

A dry suit works differently. It keeps water out entirely and traps a layer of insulating air between the suit and your body. The result is that you can dive comfortably in water that a wetsuit makes miserable, stay in longer, and keep diving through seasons and at destinations that would otherwise push you out of the water.

For Arizona divers, that means California's kelp forests in winter, cold mountain lakes in Utah and Colorado, and any destination where the thermocline drops into cold water below the warm surface layer. The SDI Dry Suit Diver course covers everything you need to use one safely and confidently.

What the Course Covers

Dry Suit Types and Construction

Not all dry suits are built the same way, and the right choice depends on the water temperatures you plan to dive in and how you plan to use it. The course covers the three main types: shell style, crushed neoprene, and neoprene, along with the seal types used at the neck and wrists (latex and neoprene), and the features that distinguish one suit from another, including self-donning and rear-entry configurations, integrated boots, zipper guards, warm neck collars, and suspenders.

Undergarments and Insulation

The dry suit itself is not what keeps you warm. The insulating undergarment worn beneath it does. The course covers how undergarments are designed for dry suit use, including why they are cut close to the skin, how compression resistance at depth affects their insulating performance, and how to choose the right undergarment for the water temperature you are diving in.

Valves, Buoyancy Control, and Weighting

A dry suit adds a new variable to buoyancy control. Unlike a BCD, it has its own inflator and deflator valves, and the air you add for warmth also affects your buoyancy. Managing both simultaneously is the skill that takes the most practice. The course covers how the inflator and deflator valves work, how to weight yourself correctly for a dry suit (which is different from wetsuit weighting), and how to maintain stable buoyancy using both the suit and your BCD together.

Maintenance, Care, and Emergency Procedures

Dry suits require more maintenance than wetsuits. The course covers proper cleaning after dives, zipper care and lubrication, minor field repairs, and how to store and transport a dry suit without damaging the seals or zipper. Emergency procedures for suit malfunctions are also covered, including what to do if the inflator valve sticks open or if you end up inverted and the suit fills with air at your feet.

In-Water Skills

The course includes in-water skill practice. Required skills include:

• Planning a dry suit dive including weighting and equipment checks
• Proper donning of the dry suit and review of valve functions before entry
• Pre-dive buoyancy check and weight adjustment in the dry suit
• Inflating and deflating the suit underwater
• Rolling out from an inverted position, which is the most important dry suit safety skill - if air migrates to the feet and flips you upside down, this is how you recover
• Hovering in a fixed position using dry suit buoyancy control
• Emergency procedures for suit malfunction
• Safety stop, ascent, and exit
• Logging the dive

Who Can Enroll

The SDI Dry Suit Diver course is open to certified SDI Open Water Scuba Divers or equivalent. Minimum age is 12 with parental consent, 18 without.

Counts Toward SDI Advanced Diver and Master Scuba Diver

The SDI Dry Suit Diver certification counts as one specialty credit toward both the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program and the SDI Master Scuba Diver Development Program.

Gear and Equipment

Dry suit rental for the course is included at no extra cost. Dive Arizona has a range of dry suits available for student use, but availability depends on sizing. Call us at (480) 881-4013 before enrolling to confirm we have a suit that fits you.

Neck and wrist seals must be purchased separately before the course. These are fitted to you specifically and are yours to keep after the course, so they go with you every time you dive in a dry suit going forward. We carry seals in the shop and can help you find the right fit when you come in.

All other scuba gear including BCD, regulator, computer, tanks, weights, and wetsuit undergarments is included in the standard course rental. You are required to own your own mask, fins, boots, and snorkel. If you'd like to purchase any of your own equipment, we carry a full selection in the shop and all students enrolled in a course receive a discount on purchases during enrollment. Your discount will also be applied towards a drysuit should you be interested in purchasing one of the many brands we offer!

After the course, dry suit rentals are available at our normal shop rates for any future dives where you want to use one before purchasing your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the SDI Dry Suit Diver course cover?

The course covers dry suit types and construction, seal types, undergarments and insulation, inflator and deflator valve operation, buoyancy control and weighting with a dry suit, maintenance and zipper care, minor repairs, and emergency procedures including how to recover from an inverted position. In-water practice is included.

What is the difference between a wetsuit and a dry suit?

A wetsuit traps a thin layer of water against your skin and relies on your body heat to warm it. It loses insulating effectiveness as water temperature drops. A dry suit seals water out completely and traps an insulating air layer between the suit and your body, keeping you warm in much colder water and for longer dives. Dry suits also add buoyancy variables that require specific training to manage.

Is dry suit diving hard to learn?

The biggest adjustment is buoyancy control. A dry suit has its own inflator and deflator valves that affect your buoyancy in addition to your BCD, and managing both simultaneously takes practice. The inverted position recovery skill is also specific to dry suit diving and requires deliberate practice to get right. Both are covered in the course, and most students are comfortable with the basics by the end of the session.

Do I need my own dry suit for the course?

No. Dive Arizona provides dry suit rental for the course at no extra cost. Availability depends on sizing, so call us at (480) 881-4013 before enrolling to confirm we have a suit that fits. You do need to purchase your own neck and wrist seals before the course. We carry them in the shop.

Why do I need to buy my own neck and wrist seals?

Seals are fitted to your specific neck and wrist dimensions and create the watertight seal that keeps the suit dry. Because they are sized and trimmed to fit you, they are personal equipment. The upside is that they are yours to keep and go with you into every future dry suit dive.

Does the Dry Suit Diver certification count toward SDI Advanced Diver?

Yes. The SDI Dry Suit Diver certification counts as one of the four specialty credits required for the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program. It also counts toward the SDI Master Scuba Diver Development Program.

Can I rent a dry suit after the course for future dives?

Yes. Dry suit rentals are available at Dive Arizona at our normal shop rates for any future dives where you want to use one before committing to your own suit.

Ready to Stay Warm and Keep Diving?

Contact us to schedule the SDI Dry Suit Diver course and confirm dry suit size availability. Call us at (480) 881-4013 or stop by the shop. We are open Monday through Saturday 11am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm, at 18618 S 186th Way, Queen Creek, inside The Shooting Range.

For more information and to see course standards, click here!