ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Exposure suit

An exposure suit is a special piece of clothing that people wear when they go swimming or diving in cold water. It keeps them warm and helps them to stay safe while they explore the underwater world.

Imagine that you’re playing in a swimming pool and the water is really cold. You might get goosebumps and feel shivery. Now, imagine that the water is even colder and you’re swimming in a lake or an ocean where there are fish and rocks and other fun things to see. If you don’t wear the right clothes, you might start to feel really cold and it could be dangerous.

That’s why people wear exposure suits. They come in different shapes and sizes, but most of them are made of thick, rubbery material that keeps the water from touching your skin. Some suits cover your whole body, like a jumpsuit with a hood, gloves and boots, while others just cover your torso and legs, like a jacket and pants.

When you put on an exposure suit, it should fit snugly but not too tightly. The suit traps a thin layer of water between your body and the suit, and your body heat warms up that water. That’s why exposure suits are sometimes called wetsuits.

Exposure suits also make you more buoyant, which means you float more easily in the water. This can be helpful when you’re diving or snorkeling, because it makes it easier to stay at the right depth.

So, when you see someone wearing a black or colorful suit in the water, don’t be afraid – they’re just enjoying the ocean, lake or swimming pool with the help of their trusty exposure suit.