Back in the 1960's the thin all rubber dive suits like the Totes, Spearfisherman and countless other brands had often been advertised as tough enough for commercial use. In fact many divers did use them in various for hire operations. Back then one did not have much in the line of choices. They did work. Patching holes at the end of the day was just part of the job.  A fabric coverall was a good choice for some real protection from cuts and abrasions to the suit.

By todays standard wanting to use a simple all rubber dry suit made like they did back in the day would get you laughed out of the dive shop. Most instructors these days know little to nothing of the old ways of diving. It is all push buttons and computers.

This does not mean you can not or should not dive with one. It just means you have to be a cut above the rest of the crowd. You will have to take a step back in time and learn how things were done without pushing a button. It also means you have to accept the risks and take responsibility for your own actions. Know your own limitations and that of your gear.

An all rubber dry suit is little more than a thin membrane between you and the water. How warm you are depends on the choice of thermal garments worn underneath. The flexibility of such thin rubber suits is superior to any neoprene suit and even most modern fabric backed rubber suits.

One fact a vintage suit diver will always have to deal with is a thin all rubber suit will never have the puncture resistance of a heavy $1700.00 modern suit. Also one has to learn to vent air on assent from a wrist seal or face seal. Getting air in is even more of a skill to learn. The hood is normally worn over the skirt of the mask seal. With practice a diver can vent air from there nose to the mask and up into the hood of the suit.

Welcome to vintage dry suit diving!