FAQ : Frequently Asked Questions

Please browse through the questions and answers below, If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact us for some specialist advice - info@fourthelement.com

• Which Undersuit Do I need?

  There is no generally valid rule about what suit to wear at different water temperatures. An individual diver's physical condition, body morphology, rate of work and working conditions and any recent exposure to cold, will influence how long he or she can tolerate exposure to different temperatures. We give a recommendation of the range of temperatures suitable for our undersuits with a trilaminate drysuit, but they are intended as a guide only.
  
  As a general rule, if you are diving with a neoprene drysuit, you should be looking at the Arctic and Xerotherm suits. If you dive with a membrane or trilaminate suit, consider layering the xerotherm with the Arctic and possibly adding the Ozone outer layer for extreme conditions. The HALO 3D and SubX are designed with trilaminate suits in mind for use with a base layer.

• Where Can I Buy Fourth Element Gear?

  Fourth Element has a large network of dealers. Please visit our dealer listings here. Our premier dealers tend to stock a larger number of product lines, but you should expect all our dealers to have expertise in our product. They probably use it themselves.

• I Have a Neoprene Allergy, What Can I Do?

  If you are unlucky enough to have an allergic reaction to contact with neoprene, it is likely to be caused by accelerants leaching out of the neoprene onto your skin. You can reduce the impact of this by wearing a rash guard under you wetsuit or a simple dive skin. It is unlikely to prevent the reaction however, and in some cases the only way is to not wear neoprene.
  
  Our Thermocline range does not contain neoprene and makes a great lightweight wetsuit alternative with a thermal performance similar to a 3mm neoprene wetsuit. It has been tried and tested by many people who have developed neoprene allergies with great success.
  
  Some choose to wear it under their wetsuit as a barrier to skin contact, and this has also worked to reduce the effects of the allergy. If you use the thermocline in this manner, we recommend thoroughly rinsing the thermocline after use, or washing it regularly. More information can be found here.

• What size do I need?

  You should be able to find your nearest dealer and ask them to try different sizes, but in some cases this may not be possible. In which case, please refer to our size charts on each product page – click on the sizing tab. They are intended as a guide only, as individual fit is inevitable with products that fit so close to the skin.
  
  The best option is always to go to a dealer and try it on and get the dealer’s advice.

• How do I care for my fourth element gear?

  All the drysuit thermal protection garments in the fourth element range, and the Thermocline garments should be treated in the same way.
  
  Cool or cold wash, half the usual amount of regular washing detergent (preferably liquid form, NO fabric conditioner/softener. Then spin and line dry. DO NOT tumble dry the items as the heat may damage the fibres.
  
  You can wash these items many times. We do know one instructor who claims to have washed a xerotherm over 500 times and it is still going strong!
  
  Neoprene wetsuits, gloves, boots and hoods should be rinsed in fresh water. If you need something more effective than a rinse, we recommend using a specialist wetsuit shampoo.