Bad Hood

[jamadorp]

I'm a novice diver in the Pacific NW ( cold water ) therefore I have bibbed 7/5 mm hood to stay warm. My problem is my hood leaves my neck sore and I always have a choking, hard to swallow feeling that I seem to "get over" after I've been in the water awhile . I sure would be willing to emit feelings of joy in all directions if someone out there in scuba land could offer some solution as to how I could possibley achieve comfort.

Thanks :06:

 

[Sideband]

Get a larger hood?

Joe

Edit: I don't mean only going from a large to an XL. Different brands in the same size fit differently as well. Try a bunch on for fit.

 

[pipedope]

It sounds like the hood is too tight around your neck.

You may need to get a custom hood, or have yours tailored.

Most stock hoods seem to be made for pencil necked geeks or such.

 

[jamadorp]

Anybody have any thoughts on the Hyperstretch Hoods. They are supposed to be lighter, warmer, and stretchier and some advertise they are for people who don,t like hoods.

 

[jamadorp]

:dazzler1:

Anybody have any thoughts on the Hyperstretch Hoods. They are supposed to be lighter, warmer, and stretchier and some advertise they are for people who don,t like hoods.

 

[saltwater taffy]

There's an even more important reason besides discomfort that you should NOT be wearing that hood. A hood as you described can cause constriction of the carotid artery. I have a friend who had to spend 6 hrs in a chamber from wearing a hood that was too tight. Go to your local dive shop and try on several hoods. A hood made out of the hyperstretch just might be the ticket for you. If you can't find one to your satisfaction, then consider ordering a custom hood. Whatever you do, please don't wear that hood that you have again.

Be safe & warm,
SWT

 

[RobinG]

:10:

Anybody have any thoughts on the Hyperstretch Hoods. They are supposed to be lighter, warmer, and stretchier and some advertise they are for people who don,t like hoods.

I have a hyperstretch 3 mil hood. Insanely comfortable (and the only one I can find in XS). Not insanely warm, however. Feels like a 1 or 2 mil. Go for the 7/5. Even in 3 mil in 75F water I am chilly on my noggin. But mention ice cubes around me and I get cold!

Robin

 

[crpntr133]

Don't know if this works but a DB of mine had the same problem and he simply put the hood on a tank for a few days and that stretched it out. The next size up was too big and he didn't find any others that fit any better.

 

[jamadorp]

Thank you all for addressing my hood problem with such candor and sensitivity. I think that means that you all gave me great answers without pulling any punches and did'nt make me feel like a "dummy".