Drysuit Neck Seals

[chippy]

I've just got my first drysuit, and the neck seal feels very very tight - uncomfortacbly so after a few minutes.

Are they meant to be so tight? (I appreciate is has to create a watertight seal) It also seems slightly long - can they be trimmed down?

Thanks

Paul

 

[WileEDiver]

It should be (water) tight, but not very, very tight. You should have someone at your LDS check it out. The seals have concentric rings at slightly larger diameters to enable trimming. You want to be careful to avoid problems such as carotid sinus reflex.

 

[docmartin]

did it not come with a manual? latex neck seals are meant to be trimmed. you usually see some fine lines that you can use for a straight cut. only cut a little at a time until the fit is okay.
neoprene neck seals need to be stretched if they are too tight. some people pull them over a tank for a few hours.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

Latex seals can be a bear, I demo'd a suit that had seals WAY TOO TIGHT for me. But they don't have to be so tight, mine fit me like a glove. I don't notice they're squeezing at all, the weight of the suit on my bod is all I feel, but they are watertight all the same.

If they are neoprene, a stretch will do.

 

[Bob3]

A too tight neck seal can cause you to pass out, not a good thing.
Check with whomever you got the suit from for assistance in trimming.
Length is immaterial, a neck seal is usually worn tucked in, pointing down.

 

[SOUTH DEVON]

I was advised to stretch it over your tank until a comfortable fit is achieved, cutting can cause jagged edges resulting in tearing!

 

[Dryglove]

SOUTH DEVON once bubbled...
I was advised to stretch it over your tank until a comfortable fit is achieved, cutting can cause jagged edges resulting in tearing!

That wont work with a latex seal as it will go back to its original size. That trick works great with neoprene seals though.

 

[SOUTH DEVON]

lal7176 once bubbled...


That wont work with a latex seal as it will go back to its original size. That trick works great with neoprene seals though.

It does work if you leave it long enough, as I've used it before in my kayaking days!!!!!

 

[Bob3]

... advised to stretch it over your tank ...

Man, advise like that can ruin your whole day.
The latex will not take a set anywhere near the way neoprene does, it'll start contracting back to original size right away.

Is there any reason whoever gave you that suit would like to see you "out of the way"?:tease:

Have a look see at a drysuit manual: http://www.trelleborg.com/protective/images/Vikingmanual_English_0306.pdf
(570kb, not too large at all.)

There will be a test on this reading material, let us know what it says, eh?

 

[Dryglove]

SOUTH DEVON once bubbled...


It does work if you leave it long enough, as I've used it before in my kayaking days!!!!!

Its your drysuit do as you please. As for the rest of the newer drysuit divers dont try stretching your latex neck seal over a tank. Trim it to the proper size. If you have a neoprene neck seal that is to tight, stretch it over a tank.