Wearing a wetsuit is generally something you want to avoid when scuba diving since you want full range of movement. Unfortunately, not all of us can live in the warm waters of the Caribbean. We have no choice on the matter, so finding the perfect wetsuit is critical to getting the most out of your dives.

The first thing to understand about wetsuits is a maddening fact. The companies producing the suits do not use the same exact sizes. This means you need to refer to the sizing chart each company puts out. Without it, you are just flying in the dark. Since trying on wetsuits takes a bit of effort, you really want to make it as simple as possible by using the directions in the sizing chart. Yes, this is inherently against the genetic makeup of all men!

The second step is to go for the right fit. The goal here is to have a snug fit all over. It may be restricting and even a bit uncomfortable out of the water, but the bouncy in the ocean will free things up. Loose wetsuits should be avoided like the plague. They let water in and, in cold currents, that can be a real constant adrenaline rush. On the other hand, you want to avoid wetsuits that look like they are painted on. You'll be uncomfortable and your movement will be restricted to the point you will look more like a cork bobbing in the water than a diver.

Okay, you've read the chart and found a suit that would seem to be a good choice. Now what? Well, suits come in two types – full body and two pieces. Whatever your choice, the best approach is to always work from the bottom up. This means putting the suit on over your legs and working up. Get help with a one piece as most will zipper up the back. Nothing is worse then getting your hair stuck in the zipper of a suit you don't even own!

Once the suit is on, take it for a stroll. The suit should fit you snugly and contour to your body. You should be able to breathe with only a slight pressure. Your legs and arms should be held snuggly, but not enough to make anything go numb! Walk around for at least five minutes to get a real feel for the fit.

So, will this give you the perfect wetsuit for diving? No. It will give you something as close to perfect as you can get off the rack. If you are going to be diving a lot, it is well worth your money to get some tailoring done. Yes, you can get the wetsuit fitted to your frame. We all have different bodies, so every wetsuit is going to have an area where it doesn’t fit well. A wetsuit tailor can fix this with a minimum of fuss and turn a good fit into a great one.

Thomas Ajava writes about scuba diving vacations and other diving subjects for ScubaDivingCompanies.com.

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