Air in hood

[rubberduck]

I have an older one piece wetsuit with the hood attached and no purge valve on top. During the dive, depending on my movement, it fills with air and I was thinking of drilling a small hole in the top to let the air escape.

I've never worked with neoprene, is there anything I need to do after drilling the hole to keep it from fraying or expanding? I this the correct fix for this problem or is there a better method.

Thanks

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

Get some pliers and use them to heat a nail over a flame. Press hot nail into neoprene.

Dave (aka "Squirt")

 

[Big Jay]

Get some pliers and use them to heat a nail over a flame. Press hot nail into neoprene.

Dave (aka "Squirt")

EXACTLY.

The heat fuses the neoprene fibers around the hole together. Exactly what i have done, works like a charm.

 

[*Floater*]

The hot nail tihng worked for me too - all you need are small holes. I also burned bigger holes in the ear area so I could hear better.

 

[dkktsunami]

Make several small holes like in a baseball cap.

 

[dlndavid]

as was told to me, don't be wearing it at the time.

 

[Tom Winters]

as was told to me, don't be wearing it at the time.

That's foolish - otherwise, how are you going to line up the holes in your head with the holes in the hood? You'll have to have a custom template machined by Underwater Phrenologists.

 

[jagfish]

I've heard of guys leaving it with no hole because the air around your head keeps you warmer than water.

 

[spectrum]

In case there is any doubt, melt the holes with a hot nail. I like a #6 finnish the the the point ground off to a blunt end. Heat it cherry red and sink it in. Have good ventilation and stay back, it's nasty stuff when it's melting!

I have a buddy the likes the air in his hood, if it works for you OK. Many divers including myself and my wife get into a lot of mask problems if the hood gets floaty.

Pete

 

[Rick Inman]

Funny you should mention that: http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1604830&postcount=19

I use a soldering iron.