Unless you’re one of the lucky few to be born along the equator in dive paradise, chances are you’re not plunging into the depths skin first. Even in some of our warm water destinations, most people still use some sort of exposure protection and for good reason. First of all, it offers protection from underwater plants, animals, the sun, and any debris you may encounter during your dive. Nothing hurts worse than a sting, bite, or brush with some nasty fire coral.

Secondly, thermal protection is all the rage now! Even something as thin as a 1mm skin suit offers a minor amount of warmth over bare skin. Layering is also something that most beginners don’t think to do, but can be very useful especially in variable dive conditions and multiday trips.