BUILDING AND TESTING AN INCOMPRESSIBLE THERMALLY INSULATING COLD TEMPERATURE DIVING WETSUIT

Abstract

Thermal protection for divers is critical and needs improvement. The goal is to have a full wetsuit that will insulate the human body from the colder temperature of the water at the depth at which a diver is submerged. I designed, fabricated, and built a fully thermal passive insulation wetsuit using composite material based on microspheres to be able to comfortably fit on a human to minimize restriction while diving and performing duties underwater. During testing in the open ocean, the composite wetsuit was proven to be superior to neoprene wetsuits by several degrees Fahrenheit. This composite wetsuit has a three millimeter neoprene wetsuit for mobility and performs better than a seven millimeter neoprene wetsuit for warmth. By improving divers' thermal protection in water, the composite wetsuit will enhance their job performance and increase the amount of time they can spend underwater.