Spear fishing involves all the necessary equipment and accessories. The most important piece of equipment is a suit for spearfishing, the choice of which should be given maximum attention. A bad wetsuit can ruin the whole impression of spearfishing.
The main task facing the wetsuit is to reduce the possible risk of injury to the hunter and reduce the negative effects of water on the body.
Properly selected high-quality wetsuit will provide the opportunity for long spearfishing due to heat preservation. This is evidenced by the reviews of professionals.
Wetsuit Selection
Currently, specialized stores are ready to offer the maximum variety of models and types of underwater suits, focused on functioning under different environmental conditions and different water temperatures.
Spearfishing suit can be of such basic types:
Dry wetsuits
They are made from kapron material impregnated with special chemicals. The standard kit includes a jacket and pants connected with glue. Often a dry suit for spearfishing comes in the form of a ready-made jumpsuit. Additionally, gloves and boots are included.
The wetsuit is equipped with a coupling, through which you can connect a scuba gear with oxygen cylinders, as well as a pair of valves for bleeding air. It completely protects the hunter's body from the effects of the aquatic environment. But the suit is not worn on a naked body, it is also necessary special underwear diving.
The main disadvantages of using this equipment option are buyers call excessive bulkiness and a fairly high price. However, many underwater hunters use dry wetsuits in shallow water, often in winter.
Semi-Dry Wetsuits
They are made from a special material - microporous rubber, known as "neoprene". This material is a synthetic rubber, characterized by high water resistance and elasticity. Such a suit is worn and removed quite simply, thanks to a zipper closure located on the back and chest. A properly sized semi-dry wetsuit reliably protects against moisture penetration.
The disadvantage is double-sided rubber, limiting mobility. The hunter (reviews confirm this) has to spend more energy, as a result of which he soon gets tired.
Wetsuits
This is the most popular type of wetsuits among fans of spearfishing. They got their name because the inside of the human body is in an aqueous medium, which acts as a heat-insulating layer, heating up from the heat of the body. A neoprene layer of sufficient thickness allows maintaining the water temperature at a stable level for a long time, preventing its cooling. The greater the thickness of the neoprene, the more effective it is and the more it allows hunting in colder water.
There are three main types of wetsuits:
- Mono suits.
- Wetsuits with short shorts and sleeves.
- Wet suit that comes with a jacket with a hood and pants on it.
As a rule, diving suits are duplicated in order to provide increased material strength to protect against cuts and tears. Suit “Bushat” for spearfishing is of special quality.
Duplication can be either one-way or two-way. One-sided is to attach additional fabric material to the neoprene from the outside or from the inside. When duplicating from the outside, the suit retains heat very well, but it is difficult to put on, as evidenced by reviews, since neoprene sticks to the skin.
A suit duplicated from the inside is more pleasant to the touch, it is easier to put on, but it retains heat worse. Suits without duplication are comfortable and elastic, but they are not suitable for a long stay in cold water.
Wetsuit Thickness and Water Temperature
Before buying a suit, you should determine in advance the place of spearfishing and the temperature of the water in these reservoirs. Buying a suit for spearfishing should be strictly the right size, deviations up or down are unacceptable.
The following table illustrates the dependence of the thickness of the neoprene layer of the suit on the temperature of the aquatic environment to ensure comfortable spearfishing.
Water temperature | Neoprene layer thickness |
0-3 ° C | 11 mm |
4-12 ° C | 9 mm |
10-18 ° C | 7 mm |
17-23 ° C | 5 mm |
above 24 ° C | 3 mm |
Guided by the above table, you must additionally take into account the individual characteristics of each organism, which is also confirmed by reviews, because the sensitivity to cold is different for everyone. Also, the required thickness of the suit is determined not only by the temperature of the water, but also by the depth of the hunt: the deeper, the thicker the suit will be needed.
The coloring depending on the bottom landscape should also be taken into account.
Spearfishing suit (9mm) must sit tight on the figure. In most cases, manufacturers of wetsuits use a standard line of sizes: 48, 50, 54, etc. Immediately before buying a costume, it is recommended to try on it. No assembly or creasing is allowed.
Optimal wetsuit
Of course, it will be best for each type of suit that takes into account individual characteristics. But there are a number of main parameters that you should focus on when choosing:
- Design . If you are looking for a suit with a thickness of 3 mm, it is recommended to choose a full, not shortened one. It is optimal that the zipper is from the back. Extra heat will provide a high collar. Spearfishing suits "Sargan" will appeal to many.
- Thickness. It should be determined by the temperature of the aqueous medium and the individual response to cold.
- Neoprene It is better to choose a material foamed with gas. Despite the higher price, it is much stronger and will last longer.
- Stitches . Experienced hunters advise suits sewn with a Mauser stitch. It will provide increased strength.
Wetsuit Care
Proper maintenance will ensure a long service life. The following basic rules should be observed:
- After use, the suit should be washed with clean water. If the hunt was conducted in salt water, it is recommended to soak it for several hours in a container of water.
- Store a suit for spearfishing (9mm or another thickness) should be avoided folding and folding.
- All cuts and tears should be carefully sealed.
- Neoprene requires constant care, otherwise the microscopic pores will stick together.
- A long stay of neoprene products in the cold is not allowed.
Additional equipment
In addition to the wetsuit, each underwater hunter will need a set of equipment, including fins, a breathing mask with a snorkel, a cargo belt and an underwater gun.
All diving enthusiasts buy suits for spearfishing. Reviews leave all varied. Leading wetsuit companies are Arena and Speedo. It is necessary to take a responsible approach to the selection of such "uniforms." Not only the catch, but also the life of the submariner depends on the quality. The main thing is that the suit is not defective and fits perfectly on the figure.
For storage of clothing, take a special place so as not to damage the material. This is the only way you can use the suit for a long period of time. It is better to purchase all accessories from one manufacturer.