Back from Channel Islands trip, minor gear damage, advice?

[emttim]

Hey guys. So I just got back from a trip to Channel Islands...did a 2-day liveaboard on the Spectre and went out to Ancapa both days. 3 dives on Friday and 4 dives on Saturday, the diving was simply incredible compared to what I'm used to in Monterey. 40 feet vis compared to 10 feet is just no comparison, and on the last dive of the trip eight or so sea lions surrounded me and my dive buddy and started playing with each other and just making a huge show, it was great!

The downside? Well, it's not even really that big of a deal, but while donning one of my dive gloves it tore, and I'm not quite sure what to do about it. I didn't notice my hands get any colder than usual on the dive where I wore the damaged glove. I have H2O dive insurance, however, considering the pair of gloves cost me thirty bucks, I just can't justify the pain in the ass of making a claim for a 30 dollar piece of equipment. I put a few pictures up in this post of the damage so you can tell me if it's worth trying to get patched at a dive shop or just buy new gloves. If I do have to get a new set of gloves, any suggestions on upgrades would be appreciated since I'm addicted to this stuff with a passion.

 

[fisherdvm]

Buy elastic threads and sew it up. Use an interlocking stitch, so that the threads can stretch multiple ways. Next time, shop at the dollar stores, and wear those one size fit all gloves. They'll do for most warm weather diving, and throw them away after a few dives.

 

[emttim]

Buy elastic threads and sew it up. Use an interlocking stitch, so that the threads can stretch multiple ways. Next time, shop at the dollar stores, and wear those one size fit all gloves. They'll do for most warm weather diving, and throw them away after a few dives.

Well, I dive in California...that's not warm weather diving.

 

[fisherdvm]

I think the problem might be gloves too small for your hands. After you stitch it up, it might tear again. You might consider selling it or giving it away. A roll of elastic thread can be found at a yarn shop or sewing store. The stitch I am thinking of is called the "ford" interlocking stitch, but I am sure the seamstress use a different term. A simple running stitch is likely fine, and will suffice. I would not use any glue, as they are rather inelastic.

 

[Lucy's Diver]

Only moments ago my wife ridiculed me for spending too much time on ScubaBoard.

Then I saw a thread about a ripped set of gloves complete with pictures and I felt better.

Your time has value. Buy new gloves.

 

[Noboundaries]

Definitely looks like a pull tear. Whether you fix them or not, to avoid pull tears I put watered down Johnson's Baby Shampoo on my hands before I pull my 5mm gloves on. Same stuff I use in my mask to avoid fogging. Works great and the tight gloves slip right on. Buy a bottle of the shampoo at Costco and you're set for life.

 

[emttim]

I think the problem might be gloves too small for your hands. After you stitch it up, it might tear again. You might consider selling it or giving it away. A roll of elastic thread can be found at a yarn shop or sewing store. The stitch I am thinking of is called the "ford" interlocking stitch, but I am sure the seamstress use a different term. A simple running stitch is likely fine, and will suffice. I would not use any glue, as they are rather inelastic.

Hmm, well I don't think they're too small because I'm a small guy at 5'5"...the gloves fit great once I get them on. I dunno, maybe I'll just keep the one that still isn't torn as a spare. I'm not sure if I want to spend the time stitching it myself since I know nothing about that.

Only moments ago my wife ridiculed me for spending too much time on ScubaBoard.

Then I saw a thread about a ripped set of gloves complete with pictures and I felt better.

Your time has value. Buy new gloves.

Lol!! Glad I could help. ;P

Definitely looks like a pull tear. Whether you fix them or not, to avoid pull tears I put watered down Johnson's Baby Shampoo on my hands before I pull my 5mm gloves on. Same stuff I use in my mask to avoid fogging. Works great and the tight gloves slip right on. Buy a bottle of the shampoo at Costco and you're set for life.

Hmm, yeah I have this stuff in a spray bottle I bought from a dive shop that makes it a lot easier to slip into my wetsuit and other exposure protection...I was just too lazy to use it on this trip and I guess I paid a few bucks for being lazy. and yeah it was a pull tear.

Well, guess I'll go see if Pinnacle has some good gloves...the rest of their exposure protection that I've bought kicks ass so probably a safe bet. Thanks guys.