Downside to permanent wrist rings on dry suit?

[TSandM]

Except that my most frequent point of failure on my wrist seals is where the dry glove rings clamp onto the seal -- which is proximal to the ring, and therefore not fixable by this method. YMMV.

 

[Dhboner]

I have Viking Classic with the rings sewn into my suit. I can field change a seal in less than a minute but I haven't had to in the two years I have owned the suit. If you take care of the seals (use talc regularly and take off your watch before donning your suit) they can last a long time. I also use McNetts U.V. protectant regularly.

 

[grf88]

Except that my most frequent point of failure on my wrist seals is where the dry glove rings clamp onto the seal -- which is proximal to the ring, and therefore not fixable by this method. YMMV.

I think stuart tv is looking for a field repair for a torn seal due to catching it on something. The seals will eventually fail near the ring because they are stressed at that location and should be checked for any cracking prior to a trip. This is not a substitute for the eventual failure that will occur through aging at which point a new seal should be glued in. If you want to be 100% covered get some of the hot melt tape that Dive Right In supplies which will allow you to replace the entire seal with little more than a hair dryer, you would still lose that days diving but it would not spoil the entire trip.

 

[stuartv]

I think stuart tv is looking for a field repair for a torn seal due to catching it on something. The seals will eventually fail near the ring because they are stressed at that location and should be checked for any cracking prior to a trip. This is not a substitute for the eventual failure that will occur through aging at which point a new seal should be glued in. If you want to be 100% covered get some of the hot melt tape that Dive Right In supplies which will allow you to replace the entire seal with little more than a hair dryer, you would still lose that days diving but it would not spoil the entire trip.

Right. I'm have no problem keeping an eye on them and having them replaced properly when they start showing signs of old age. So, as long as I do that, I shouldn't need to be so worried about them failing where the ring clamps, right?

I'm more worried about a cut or tear from a fingernail as don/doff them (my LDS guy made me paranoid about this, and I am a guy with very short nails), or something like sticking my hand somewhere and accidentally hitting the seal against something sharp.

And thanks, yes, I saw that dry glue seal replacement kit from DRiS and was thinking that, along with a spare seal, would be good to have. The clamp-on ring to (hopefully) put the seal on and finish the day, then the dry tape and some heat to do a "permanent" repair in the evening. It seems like worst case at that point is a cut or tear that does prevent using the clamp-on deal, in which case I just miss the rest of that day (probably) while I deal with replacing the seal using the dry tape.

Thanks again for the info and insight!

 

[RJP]

A friend of mine in England has invited me to come over in October and go with him to dive Scapa Flow. I am contemplating that and trying to plan ahead.

Hmm... Scapa Flow? Great diving... but wrist-seals are pretty far down the priority list for you in terms of planning ahead for that trip.

:cool2:

 

[KenGordon]

A friend of mine in England has invited me to come over in October and go with him to dive Scapa Flow. I am contemplating that and trying to plan ahead. I'd hate to go all the way over and not be able to dive because of a torn wrist seal.

Scapa Scuba will fix suits overnight and have pixies to deliver them to your boat while you sleep. It will not be too cold in October either.