Air in the hood/wetsuit

[utdivermatt]

Hey everyone,

I just started diving with a new wetsuit, and am definatly having some problems with it. It is a standard Henderson 7/5 suit (no hyperstrech or instadry), and the problem seems to be a buildup of air that comes throughout the dive. When I first get in, it almost feels as though air wont come out, and it seems to get a squeeze (or somethign similar) until after getting fully submerged. However, throughout the dive, I end up with a ton of air getting into it. I think the majority of the air comes from my hood (Henderson hyperstrech 5/3). Somehow it always seems full of air during dives. I am trying to figure out how this is happening still, and while I thought I had stopped exhaleing through my nose, it tends to still build up somehow. I have also tried making sure the vent on the hood works, but I cant get it right for some reason. I have looked at other similar hoods, and the vent appears the same. I am afraid to put a straight hole in it, but that may be my next option. Anyways, the air tends to go from the hood to the suit, which is becomming very annoying, because I cannot seem to get it out underwater. I can go in a pure head down poisiton, and alot of it will flow out my boots and ankles, but not all of it. I was wondering if anyone had any problems similar to this, and knows how to fix it permanatly. I would prefer to find out why the air is getting in than the ways of getting it out. Thanks!



-Matt

 

[johnny_bravo]

I had to ditch my Henderson Hyperstrech hood, hole or no hole...seems the neoprene is just too stretchy and seal is broken easily letting air in even from reg exhaust bubbles.

I switched to a Bare hood btw.

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[eclipse785]

I tend to get that periodically throughout a dive too. Air from my exhaust gas comes up along my face and a little seeps into the hood. My hood is old and doesn't have a vent on it, but I don't care. You may be getting more air than I am, but to be honest, I kinda like it. As the air gets traped there at the back/top of my hood, it warms up considerably. When it gets to a point where it becomes uncomfortable, I just take my hand and push it out through the face opening of the hood. When I do this I get a warm wash of air/water over my head. Feels great. I can't say that I ever had this air get to be such a problem that it goes into the rest of my suit.

 

[Chivas]

I have the same hood and a hooded vest that I use in colder water and the same thing happens to me. If air goes anywhere other than the hood you may have a trim issue to deal with. I rollover and look towards the surface a couple of times during the dive and the hood vents itself. Good luck.