FAQ Home
| What is a freediving wetsuit? |
| It is a wetsuit made using the
newest generation Neoprene that can only be
manufactured in Japan. The Neoprene itself relies on
nitrogen pockets for thermal isolation and the
wetsuit can only be hand made by skillful
professionals The manufacturing procedure is very
complex and takes a long time, because the wetsuit
is first assembled, then glued and then surface
stitched only. It is so flexible, warm and
comfortable; it almost feels like a «second skin».
The Picasso wetsuits fit the freedivers like a
glove, literally, giving them the sensation of being
wrapped in a perfectly molded silky latex material,
with that beyond description "Jell-O"
feeling. ::Top |
| What is the "Chicle®" wetsuit? |
In Spanish, chicle means «chewing
gum» ... which explains it all. It is so flexible,
warm and comfortable; it almost feels like a «second
skin». The Chicle® fits the freedivers like a glove,
literally giving them the sensation of being wrapped
in a perfectly molded silk suit, with that beyond
description "Jell-O" feeling. - 100%
waterproof
- very flexible and
stretchy
- as hydrodynamic as a marine
mammal's skin
- more than twice warmer than
any similar thickness wetsuit in the market(a 5 mm
thick Picasso Chicle®will be warmer than any other
8mm thick wetsuit)
In short, the Picasso
Chicle® is a special wetsuit that is incomparably
soft, resilient, and stretchy. Due to it's
excellent characteristics in addition to very high
compression resistance, the dynamic Chicle® is ideal
for professional commercial diving, freediving and
freedive spearfishing :: What about the other
Picasso wetsuits? All Picasso wetsuits are hand made
in Europe, using the world's finest Yamamoto®
Japanese Chloroprene grade SUPER-LIGHT Neoprene.
With a specific gravity of only 0.13 g/cm³ and a
very low modulus (between 10-100%, the lower the
modulus, the higher the comfort level), Yamamoto® 39
is extremely light, soft, and has excellent stretch.
Due to it's key characteristics, it is best suited
for leisure diving suits, a new generation of
"zipper-less" suits, in addition to being the
neoprene of choice by the world's top triathlon
athletes. ::Top |
| What makes the Picasso wetsuits so
different? |
| Picasso wetsuits owe
their extraordinary thermal insulation and comfort
features, to the hundreds of thousands of tiny
nitrogen bubbles within the Neoprene itself. This is
similar to how a "thermos" works, using air for
insulation. Air, being 80% nitrogen, is one of the
best gaseous insulation agents. ::Top |
| What is the difference between “open-cell”,
"split-cell" and “skin-in” wetsuits? |
Freedivers generally refer to the
best freediving wetsuits as “skin-in” or “open-cell”
when these wetsuits have no fabric lining. This is
simply because wetsuits are divided into two
categories: Wetsuits with fabric lining and wetsuits
without fabric lining. By lining, we mean fabric
material, such as Nylon, Lycra, plush, etc., that
covers the inside of the wetsuit, which is in direct
contact with the diver's skin. (However, both
applications are not technically correct. But we
will compromise and accept them, in order not to
complicate matters.)
"Skin-in” may also be
what is referred to as “smooth-skin” inside. Meaning
that the Neoprene sheet was used as is, without
“splitting”, therefore defeating the purpose of
perfect fit, adhesion and waterproofing. Many
wetsuit manufacturers will use this design and
market the wetsuit as “open-cell” or “skin-in”, thus
confusing the customer. ::Top |
| What does "BioTermic®" mean? |
| BioTermic® is a space age
composite coating applied to the exposed
"split-cell" inside of some of Picasso's wetsuits,
Neoprene vests, gloves and socks. It was invented by
NASA in its quest for a heat-reflecting material
that would protect the space vessels from
overheating as they enter the atmosphere on the way
back to earth. The drive behind Picasso's
BioTermic® coating was fourfold: 1) unlike standard
suits, because BioTermic® does not absorb water and
prevents it from "clinging", the diver is not
greeted with cold when re-wearing a suit that has
already been submerged in water. Comfort levels are
significantly increased; 2) typical jersey/rubber
combinations allow for the growth of bacteria on
their surface. BioTermic® coating is antibacterial;
3) Nylon on one side of neoprene allows for more
stretch than nylon laminated on both sides. When a
BioTermic® coating is applied to one side, you gain
all of it’s benefits, plus the added stretch; 4)
BioTermic® is slick as Teflon® and reflects back all
Infrared radiation. This makes it the perfect
barrier against heat transfer between the diver and
the water and allows the diver to wear the wetsuit
without any form of lubrication. A fifth
characteristic and the reason BioTermic® is the
choice of top competitive freedivers is, when
BioTermic® is applied on the outside of the suit, it
drastically reduces water
resistance/friction(0.032). This increased
hydrodynamism allows for deeper dives and faster
times, while using fewer strokes. Picasso is
the only manufacturer in the world who applies such
a coating, directly on the "split-cell" surface, so
the wetsuit remains an "open cell" (split-cell)
wetsuit, but with the BioTermic®
coating. ::Top |
| How is it that special Neoprene manufactured
and how could you describe it? |
The
Neoprene used in the Picasso wetsuits is
manufactured in various thicknesses and is supplied
in rectangular sheets. At its first stage, the sheet
is all rubber. Both surfaces look and feel the same:
smooth and very soft to the touch rubber (skin), as
if polished.
When the Neoprene sheet is cut,
thousands of minuscule suction cups forming the
Neoprene are exposed, like a rich “soufflé” or
“chocolate-mousse”, filled with air bubbles. This is
why divers must lubricate the wetsuit before donning
it. Some use talcum powder, soap and water or hair
conditioner and water.
At this stage, the
Neoprene sheet is ready for the final treatment. It
could either be turned into a “smooth-skin-out,
split-cell-in" wetsuit, or into a "Nylon (or Lycra)
out, split-cell-in” wetsuit. The second choice, is
made by applying or fixing a sheet of Nylon or Lycra
fabric to the surface of the Neoprene and then
feeding it through a mechanical blade that slices
the inside into the perfect “second skin” for a
Freediver: "the "split-cell-in", also referred to as
“open-cell” or “skin-in”. ::Top |
| Could you give some technical data with a
description of this space-age Japanese Neoprene? |
Yamamoto's technical rubber is
called "Chloroprene." The performance of Chloroprene
is dependent on the raw material and it's closed
cell condition - if one or more cells are
interconnected or if the wall of an individual cell
is ruptured, the performance of the rubber is
impaired.
Yamamoto has been successful in
producing the perfect independent closed micro- cell
structure. This has been achieved by employing a
special polymer derived from limestone along with
the most advanced manufacturing techniques - all
developed by Yamamoto
Corporation.
Yamamoto's rubber is made from
limestone - over 99.7% calcium carbonate. The
function and quality of technical rubber is decided
not only by the purity of the raw materials - the
limestone that goes into Yamamoto's technical
rubber comes from one source - but also by the
independent closed micro-cell structure. The
independent cell structure offers the following
advantages:- The individual cells do not
absorb water. In addition, each cell of the complete
independent closed cells are filled with nitrogen
gas and thus do not absorb water at all and realize
excellent heat retaining properties and thus offer
excellent thermal insulation or heat retaining
properties.
- As a result of its special
properties, no water absorption, weight of the
material in dry and wet is kept almost same and
therefore wetsuits made of this material are not
heavy when submerged.
The closed cell
content of Yamamoto Chloroprene is more than 93%,
22-33% higher than competitors whose closed cell
content is typically in the 60-70% range. What does
all of this mean to the Divers?This means that the
divers are assured of the lightest weight, warmth
and comfort. Why? Simple. Check out the features
below:- Super
lightweight
The ratio of closed cells of
our neoprene is over 93%. This ensures lightweight
and a lower specific gravity - essential qualities
for wetsuits and swimwear. - Super
heat retention
The nitrogen gas inside
the individual closed cells result in exceptional
heat retention and efficiency. Super stretchability
Our Neoprene's highest elongation is 480 - 580%
compared to that of the human skin's maximum
elongation of 60-70% available at the
armpit. - Uniform cell
structure
The uniform micro-cell
structure of our neoprene ensures that if any part
of the material surface is defaced or scarred, new
independent concave micro-cells are exposed insuring
continued functionality. ::Top |
| What is the difference between the
traditional wetsuit and the Picasso? |
The traditional wetsuit you find
in dive-shops presents all of the following
disadvantages:- It allows water
transfer to the inside of the suit, which
then forms a liquid barrier between your skin and
the neoprene. Water then absorbs your body
temperature trying to match it, thus draining your
own warmth while giving you the impression of not
being cold. But since the water transfer is
occurring during the entire dive, you’re being
steadily robbed of much-needed energy. You will be
exerting yourself unknowingly, in order to heat up
your own insulating water! This means your dive will
become shorter and less productive and your breath
hold time will be much less than your own
potential!
- It is stiff, bulky and
constricting for your movements. This
includes restriction of your chest expansion for
breath holding! That’s because the neoprene is
heavily covered and lined with all sorts of
unnecessary fabric in order to make it warmer.
Therefore it’s heavy and it doesn't stretch. This
is why it needs long lengths of zippers and
heavy-duty sewn seams for maximum hold, as well as a
jacket with a separate hood, a separate vest,
etc.
- It is a wetsuit that requires
your physique to fit the pre-made suit, not the suit
to mold to your physique due to all the
reasons listed above. Should your size be slightly
different than a perfect model's, you'll have to
be content with a "loose-long-here"
tight-short-there" wetsuit, or perhaps even have to
pay and wait for an expensive, custom-made
suit.
- It causes drag in the
water. Due to all the reasons mentioned
above, the water will have a greater braking effect
on your swimming, with all the negative results that
reduce your diving capabilities.
- It
doesn't compress(a necessity for
freedivers). Effort is constantly being expended on
the way down and on the way up. Also, the deeper
you’ll dive, the colder you’ll get, as your body
compresses itself, more than the wetsuit, which will
allow flooding with larger amounts of cold water
(even colder at depth, due to the
thermo-cline).
- It will make you
extremely cold while riding on the boat,
because once the vessel speeds up in order to change
locations or is returning back after the dive,
you'll be trying to find shelter from the wind,
trembling from the unpleasant
cold-to-the-bone-marrow feeling, from the rapidly
evaporating water on your wetsuit, due to the action
of the wind. Soon you will find yourself trembling,
curled up in the fetal position, or looking for a
large plastic bag to wrap yourself
with!
- It allows bacteria
growth and will take much longer to
clean in order to eliminate the urine
smell, which has been deeply absorbed by the fabric
lining. No matter how long you hand or machine-wash
it, soak it in detergent, disinfectant, perfume or
whatever, it will have the ammonia smell embedded in
it!
The Picasso
wetsuit on the other hand, have none of the
disadvantages listed above.
Instead, it
will;- Keep you DRY since a
Picasso will not allow water in. How? Simply because
the Picasso Neoprene is so “stretchy” and smooth, it
will stick to your skin and mold to your body like
latex surgical gloves fit your hands. Most of
Picasso wetsuits also come with extra waterproofing
sealants on the ankles, wrists and hood, thus
keeping you totally dry during the entire dive.
Because of its stretching capability, you can dive
as deep as you would like and still the Picasso suit
will stay completely sealed. The Neoprene used in
the manufacturing of the Picasso wetsuit will itself
be the insulation, allowing your body to reserve all
of its energy for diving and hunting, instead of
trying to warm up the surrounding ocean! This will
allow for longer and certainly more pleasurable
hours of enjoyment in the underwater world, feeling
toasty warm and snug, extending your breath holding
ability to its best capability.
- Stay
soft, light and silky thus giving you
freedom of movement, just like the professional
triathlon wetsuit, which is also made of the same
material as the Picasso wetsuit and is used only for
the highest athletic performances. This innovative
wetsuit manufacturing process relies on gluing
rather than heavy stitching for its assembly, which
increases the already superior elasticity. Due to
this unique, gluing process, all Picasso
non-tropical, wetsuits come in two pieces: a jacket
with a built-in hood and a long john trouser
(farmer-john type).
- Will fit you
like a glove. An off-the-shelf Picasso
wetsuit should feel like wearing a latex surgical
glove. Being that flexible and smooth, it is also
very tolerant of various body shapes and it will
adapt to your size and mold to it, not the opposite!
We also have 10 different standard sizes in
stock.
- Won't drag in the
water, because of the very thin Nylon or
Lycra layer covering on its surface. The Chicle®
models will have even less drag than your bare skin,
since they’re totally smooth on the outside with 0%
absorption factor.
- It will compress
on the way down and decompress on the way
up in such a way that once you’ve balanced
your weight-belt for the diving area and depth, you
will realize that you’ll become a master of your own
movements. It will allow you to sink like a stone on
the way down and pop-up like a cork on the way up.
That’s what I call a great freediving
sensation!
- It will insulate you from
the freezing wind because it has fabric
only on the outside, while inside the wetsuit you
are dry, so this eliminates most of the unpleasant
"wet-cold" sensation due to the water evaporation.
The Picasso Chicle® wetsuits for example, eliminate
the problem completely. If you are wearing Picasso
Chicle® on a speeding boat, you could stand facing
the wind for the entire duration of the ride and
stay totally dry and warm.
- It will
stay clean and fresh and inhibit bacteria
growth, because washing the odors away from
a Picasso wetsuit will be almost as easy as washing
it off a glassy surface material, especially if your
Picasso wetsuit is a BioTermic.
::Top |
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