Scuba Equipment - Scuba Gear

APOLLO DRYSUITS

Technical information
By Peter Thompson
First of all, Apollo had to define the perfect drysuit; one that is so simple to use that there is no discernible difference between diving in it and diving in a wetsuit. Basically, divers want the warmth of a drysuit with all the advantages of a wetsuit.
What sets Apollo’s drysuit line apart from the others is an advanced computer-aided design system that provides for a complete custom fit; a new material called microcell neoprene; and, state-of-the-art hardware.

DRYSUIT CUSTOM MANUFACTURING

Fit is everything. It determines the comfort, drag and ease of swimming of the suit. Apollo employs an advanced computer-aided design system that utilizes up to 32 measurements in making each suit from scratch for each individual customer.
The computer is linked to an automatic drafting table printer, which prints out a pattern based on measurement data. This system cost $100,000, and today Apollo is on its third generation system, capable of drawing about 140 suits per day. Panels of material cut from the pattern are hand-glued, then blind-stitched, before being heat taped to ensure a long life of complete dryness. During these stages, a single technician works with a single suit to maintain quality and uniformity.
A custom fit has obviously benefits for divers with non-standard builds, but even for those who can wear off-the-rack suits, custom fitting can dramatically decrease drag in the water. There are no folds of material to catch water or to snag in a cave, wreck or other overhead environment. Anyone diving in a high-flow situation will readily notice and appreciate this point.
A second advantage is in the wrist seals. Apollo’s computer program utilizes both wrist and forearm measurements to create a more cylindrical as opposed to a conical shape, providing more surface area at the actual seal. This produces a significantly drier suit.
Boot measurements are part of the custom fit. The soles are rugged, giving the diver plenty of support, even during difficult entries or exits. Integrated shin and knee pads provide protection, even under the most severe conditions.

SMALLER IS BETTER

Apollo is the first manufacturer to make drysuits using 3.5 mm microcell neoprene, a type of rubber that is made by extrusion or squeezed through a form while the rubber is in a liquid state. During the process, gas, generally nitrogen, is blown into the liquefied rubber to make a foam.

MICROCELL NEOPRENE

Apollo turned to Heiwa Corp. to help develop a better material for drysuits leading to the development of a microcell neoprene with 20 percent smaller bubbles than conventional neoprene. This thinner neoprene could be used without sacrificing warmth, strength or durability, while improving the stretch and flexibility. Smaller bubbles are more resistant to crushing, even at depth, yielding a similar warmth factor of a thicker 6 mm standard neoprene, even at a slim 3.5 mm thickness.
Many divers can actually decrease the amount of weight needed to attain neutral buoyancy. At the same time, the suit is extremely streamlined because of the computer-designed construction; thanks to the thinness and flexibility, it swims like a tropical wetsuit. Technical divers appreciate extra flexibility when they must reach back to operate valves or simply during long swims. This material offers thermal protection in a wide range of conditions. It is perfect by itself in temperate waters, or wear a simple Polartech jumpsuit or dive skin under the suit to dive the cooler waters in the winter.
If you are going to get into some really cold water, just layer it with some expedition-weight long underwear like the test divers did when they spent three hours in the 39F/5C waters of Japan’s Ryusen-do Caves. Add to this Apollo’s state-of-the-art hardware, and you have a suit in contention as the perfect drysuit.

HARDWARE LEADER

Apollo designs and manufactures its own valve instead of purchasing from a secondary supplier. This allows for such advancements as ankle valves and the newest innovation, an automatic inlet valve that maintains a constant pressure inside the suit, eliminating squeeze and the need for manual inflation.
Apollo’s inlet valve, which freely rotates 360 degrees, is one of the most compact in the standard push button, which reduces the chance of accidental activation. The exhaust valve is also very compact and low profile, so it does not catch on shoulder harness straps when donning or doffing your buoyancy compensator. The one-way mechanical valve breaks down to three components, easing service in the field. Suits have the option of one exhaust valve on each ankle. The valves are of the same design as the shoulder exhaust, so again, maintenance is a breeze. Noted cave diver Lamar Hires likes the design: “The foot valves are so efficient I don’t even notice them unless someone tells me they are venting. The valves add a bit of confidence in buoyancy control and body positioning.”
Apollo continues to make advancements, with a goal of bringing drysuit diving into the mainstream making it a viable option for all divers, even those brand new to the sport. So doing can help divers extend their seasons, enable the exploration of new environments and expand the limits of recreational diving.

Peter Thompson is the former president of Apollo Sports USA, San Francisco, and now account executive with its parent company, Inabata, Japan.

Apollo’s drysuits range: