Dry suit valve

[bobbenson]

I have a dry suit with out a valve. Can I put a valve in it? where would I get one?

thanks,

Bob Benson

 

[Gary D.]

Couple of questions.

Has it had valves in it in the past that are just missing?

Is it a semi dry suit you are trying to convert?

Is this a waterski suit your trying to dive with?

Remember it takes two valves so which one are you refering to?

Gary D.

 

[bobbenson]

Couple of questions.

Has it had valves in it in the past that are just missing?

Is it a semi dry suit you are trying to convert?

Is this a waterski suit your trying to dive with?

Remember it takes two valves so which one are you refering to?

Gary D.

I guess it would fall into the waterski suit. I would need two valves. Or should I not use it at all?

thanks,
Bob

 

[jonnythan]

The major problem with watersports drysuits is fit. First, you generally have ankle seals instead of built in booties. Ankle seals never seal all that well.. and if you're diving and have your feet "up," air will escape through the ankles and water will enter.

The second thing is fit. Watersports drysuits are always cut way larger than you want for a diving drysuit. You'll have issues with air trapping and buoyancy, particularly if you use the drysuit for buoyancy. You can get a good *scuba* drysuit package for as little as $700 so I suggest you go that route instead.

 

[bobbenson]

The major problem with watersports drysuits is fit. First, you generally have ankle seals instead of built in booties. Ankle seals never seal all that well.. and if you're diving and have your feet "up," air will escape through the ankles and water will enter.

The second thing is fit. Watersports drysuits are always cut way larger than you want for a diving drysuit. You'll have issues with air trapping and buoyancy, particularly if you use the drysuit for buoyancy. You can get a good *scuba* drysuit package for as little as $700 so I suggest you go that route instead.

I pulled the suit out of the closet and tried it on tonight. It fits me pretty snug almost like a wet suit. I start to sweat as soon as I put the thing on and it is also like new. Other then the ankle seals leaking problem you mentioned is there a threat to my life if I put valves in it and try it? Also can I take it on a shallow dive without valves at all and "try" it out before I spend my money on valves? What do you think

thanks,
Bob Benson

 

[bcsean]

diving without valves could be painful in a hurry. Gonna get cozy quick. If it fits well, you could also look at getting boots installed along with the valves. Just make sure this doesn't get to be too expensive, cause you could probably sell that suit off for a few bucks and with the difference, buy a proper drysuit. Just a thought.

 

[bobbenson]

diving without valves could be painful in a hurry. Gonna get cozy quick. If it fits well, you could also look at getting boots installed along with the valves. Just make sure this doesn't get to be too expensive, cause you could probably sell that suit off for a few bucks and with the difference, buy a proper drysuit. Just a thought.

I have thought about selling the suit and buying new. But a good dry suit is 500 - 700$ kind of steep right now. I would probably upgrade some other equipment first. Thanks for the advice.

Bob

 

[DA Aquamaster]

If it is a well made suit I see no particular problem with adding a set of latex booties and a set of dry valves. However the boots could run $100 or so to add and a pair of decent dry valves will also run another $150-$200 so you are going to have another $300 or so into the suit before you are through. Most surface only dry suits tend to be the coated nylon pack cloth variety instead of trilam construction and are not particularly durable or long lived. If that is what you have, I'd reconsider upgrading it as you can get a good used trilam or neoprene drysuit sans underwear for about the same amount of money.

 

[bobbenson]

If it is a well made suit I see no particular problem with adding a set of latex booties and a set of dry valves. However the boots could run $100 or so to add and a pair of decent dry valves will also run another $150-$200 so you are going to have another $300 or so into the suit before you are through. Most surface only dry suits tend to be the coated nylon pack cloth variety instead of trilam construction and are not particularly durable or long lived. If that is what you have, I'd reconsider upgrading it as you can get a good used trilam or neoprene drysuit sans underwear for about the same amount of money.

Thanks again for all the advice I think I will only add valves if I can get a set at a resonable price. I dont think I will ever put booties of it. I dont think it is worth the time or money for the boots.
The suit form the ankle to above the knee is basicaly like a wet suit it fits my calfs like a glove. The whole suit is neoprene. I am going to take it in the pool and do some underwater acrobatics with it and see how the ankle seals hold out. I dont plan on using the suit in extreme cold water. Just upstate NY lakes mostly. I just want to get some use out of it.
thanks,
Bob

 

[oxyhacker]

And we haven't even started on the zipper.......