What must be added to compensate for increased compression when using a dry suit?

When diving with a dry suit, it is essential to manage the gas within the suit to maintain buoyancy and comfort at various depths. As a diver descends, the external pressure increases, which compresses the suit and reduces its volume. To counteract this effect and ensure that the diver remains buoyant and comfortable, it is necessary to add gas to the dry suit.

Adding air is a common practice as it is readily available and easy to use for buoyancy control. However, divers also use argon, a gas that is less thermally conductive than air, which can help retain body heat in colder waters. By utilizing either air or argon, divers can adjust the gas volume in their suits to compensate for the compression effects experienced during descent.

By choosing both air and argon, divers can benefit from the advantages of both gases. This approach addresses not only the need for buoyancy but also addresses thermal comfort, particularly in cold-water diving conditions. Therefore, the inclusion of both air and argon is essential for optimal dry suit performance and diver safety.