When it comes to your gear, there are two primary schools of thought. It should sink, so if you lose it going over the beach or during a river and stream crossing, someone won’t find it. The other is that it should float; the main reason for that is so you won’t be pulled down, but if you are going over the beach, doing a river and stream cross or taking a ship down and you go overboard and are knocked out it can help float you. So, what is the correct answer?

Well, they both are for different operations. You have to take everything into account. If you are conducting a ship attack and coming up behind it on a High-Speed Assault Craft (HSAC) or Combat Craft Assault (CCA), you will want your stuff to float or be able to float (yes, there is a time when you fall in depending on where it happens, you might want to go underwater to avoid something). If you are doing a two-stage ladder-climbing onto an oil platform and you fall and get knocked out, you want to float or at least have a life vest that will inflate automatically.

You should look at it like this, your gear should float itself or be neutrally buoyant, and if you want to float, you need to have something on you for that. Think of you and your gear as two different things. If you go into the water, your kit should be neutral, and you should have some type of Personal Flotation Devise(PFD) for yourself. Still, you should always be able to go underwater if needed, like for going under a wave or if you need to avoid someone/ something. 

So how do you make your gear neutral buoyant? The best way to start is by knowing how much everything you are carrying weights. I will go old school, so let’s use 100rds of 7.62 x 39 weights 7 pounds. You should have a list of what things weigh or have a good idea of everything you might take out in the field with you. Keep in mind that if you are using a hard water bottle, like a canteen or Nalgene bottle, as you drink from it, it will start to float. It won’t be so bad as to affect you that much but keep it in mind as you stay out in the field, things weights will change. The same goes for needing to float. You can always use them in an emergency. MSR makes water storage bladders that are great to have in your pack. They can be used as flotation if needed and water. Even in the jungle in the rainy season, it never hurts to have a way to store extra water. When you come across water, always take as much as you can carry.

If you have other things that might float like your fins, chemical light, or rucksack liner (and never go anywhere without that old school ruck liner). Try using the lead weights that are made for balancing a car tire. Most come with an adhesive side. You can put it anywhere you need. They also come in black. You can put them on the side of the fins; this way, it doesn’t affect the way the fin performs, and if for some reason it falls off, or you drop it, it will sink. If you have chemical lights on you to use for signaling, or as an old school frogman flashlight (when you have it all taped up for use underwater and you have the end open so you can use it for your compass) if you put lead solder on them and drop it, it will sink and not float away.

Remember that packaged food (MREs, Mountain house meals) will float.

If you are taking a new piece of gear out, let’s say it’s a new pack make sure you take it to the pool and see how it acts in the water, put some weight in it and see what it takes to make it sink, don’t just throw it in and say “yup it sinks” leave it in there so it is nice and soaked so you can also see how  it drains, do you need to add more drain holes? How heavy will it be when it is wet and how long will it take to dry. With today’s technology almost everything can float or even be close to neutral to include body armor plates.

So, what is the right answer, float or sink? I think they both are the correct answer depending on the situation. But the key is to make sure you are ready for whatever might happen during any giving case. Have your gear set up so it can float itself if needed. So do your homework, or at least hang out with someone that does.

Most people wear something under their wetsuit to help with getting their wetsuit on and off easier. The other reason for wearing something under your wetsuits is that the extra layers can help keep your body warmer. Instead of wearing a thicker wetsuit that will restrict your movement, it allows you to wear a thinner suit that will give you more flexibility. You can wear a short sleeve top or bottom to help keep your core warmer. The other thing to think about is the air temperature/ wind on your way to the dive site. Suppose you are worried about the air temp/ wind when you are traveling to the dive site. In that case, you can wear heavyweight GoreTex or a linebacker jacket (the kind made for helo’s flights/ football players wear on the sidelines) is excellent to have as you can take it off before the dive and put it on when you are done.

SCUBAPRO 1.5mm Everflex SS top

For colder temperatures, adding layers underneath the suit is the way to go. You have several options to choose from. If you already have a thinner wetsuit that you usually use for warmer environments, a 1mm rash guard, or any other type of garment that’ll provide you with the added warmth around your chest will help. SCUBAPRO makes a great 1.5mm top and bottoms in short and long sleeves, shorts, and long pants. This 1.5mm is very warm, and to me, it feels like I am wearing a 2-3mm.

SCUBAPRO 1.5mm Everflex long pants

When you have to worry about the wind, most surf wetsuits or wetsuits glossy like surf suits are made to stop the wind. That all-suit surf suits are not great for diving as most are not made from a material (yes, surfing is different than diving) that is designed to be used underwater for long periods. Some people like to wear nothing between them and their wetsuits. This can be painful after wearing a wetsuit for a long time, especially on a long wet Zodiac ride. Due to the constant rubbing against their skin, it begins to chafe ( AKA Baboon a$$). Usually, the neck, armpits, behind the knees, and the crotch are the first to go. You can apply anti-chafing gel/ Vaseline to help with this on long dives and rides. There is also stuff like Butt Paste, Triple paste, or Anti monkey butt paste.

SCUBAPRO 1.5mm Everflex LS top

You can also wear dive skin or bike shorts; this will help with donning and doffing your suit on and off also. I have started to use Under Armor UA RUSH™ compression shorts. (They make tops also) They are made with a material called Celliant; it is a mineral-infused fabric to take the energy you give off when you work and reflect it into your muscles, increasing blood flow and helping them work harder. As your body emits energy, the mineral-infused fabric absorbs & reflects it, improving endurance. (I know this sounds crazy, but I am a big believer in Celliant)

Whatever you decide to wear, keep in mind the water/ air temperature, duration of the dive, and what you will be doing. Also, one reason you should make sure to keep a logbook of all your dives. That way, you can look up what you have used in the past for this situation. That should put you at a good starting point. Now that you’re aware of your options, it’s time to get to specifics. What type of undergarment is right for your needs, or do you even need to wear anything under your wetsuit at all?

SCUBAPRO 1.5mm Everflex

Well, that depends on you. In warmer waters, you can get away with wearing undergarments with minimal coverage (swimsuits, trunks, and other similar items)—or even nothing at all. Many people prefer to go commando under their wetsuits, but it’s all a matter of preference. If you plan to rent the suit, however, you’re probably going to want to wear something underneath.

SCUBAPRO 1mm Topical wetsuit

For colder temperatures, adding layers underneath the suit is the way to go. You have several options to choose from. Suppose you already have a thinner wetsuit that you usually use for warmer environments. In that case, you can opt to add a jumpsuit, rash guard, or any other type of garment that’ll provide you with the added insulation you need. This way, you won’t have to purchase another suit.

SCUBAPRO Hybrid Hood Vest

Or, if you’d instead go naked warrior underneath, you can get a thicker wetsuit. Deciding what to wear ultimately depends on the environment (and temperature) you plan to dive in, how sensitive your body is too cold, and many other variables. Make sure to consider all factors before you buy anything, and always try it in training before you use it for the first time when it matters the most.