Immersion Wear

A wetsuit is a form-fitting garment made of neoprene. Wetsuits work by trapping a thin layer of water between the suit and the paddlers skin. The body heat from the paddler warms the layer of water while the paddler is immersed. These suits can come in many different thicknesses and styles depending on water temperature and desired function. 

A dry suit or semi-dry suit is a designed to keep a paddler warm and dry if immersion should occur.  These suits are made of waterproof/breathable material designed to work in combination with the insulating layers that a paddler would wear underneath it.  These suits will be a last defense in combating hypothermia in an emergency, but a paddler still need to be able to quickly re-enter their craft to minimize long exposure to cold water.