Drysuit questions

[theiszy]

A few questions. I have a trilam scubapro evertec lt drysuit. I was getting terrible cuts around my neck, Ive cut the seals a fair bit which helped (maybe too much) but slill getting sligh bruising.

So from that how do I avoid the bruising? Where/ how high on the neck do peoplw wear theis neck seals? And now when Im on land if I fill my suit with air and move my head foward (chin to chest) air will "burp out", have I cut the seals too loose?

Also with tje wrist seals, how do people wear them? All the way up the wrist over the bone (ulna?) Or a bit further away from the hand?

Thanks.

 

[KevinNM]

Lots of people get red marks on their necks for a some time after diving. Cuts seem very bad, bruising seems a sign that it's too tight. I've never gotten either cuts or bruises from the seals. If you close the exhaust valve and fill the suit until you look like the Michelin man (and can barely move), yeah, you will burp out air when you move - like when you roll vertical in the water from flat on the surface after you stretch the suit out. When you open the valve fully you shouldn't be burping out gas.

I have the top of the seal pretty high on my neck. When trimmed right I think it should have more than just the very edge in contact with your skin, you get a band around your neck where the seal presses on your skin. It does on me anyway. Not sure how wide that is, but it isn't just the very edge.

Most people have the seals all the way up the wrist, but there are different styles of seals and people don't always do it the same.

 

[Doby45]

@KevinNM is right about the neck seal. Mine sits just low enough to not "roll" the top and I have at least an area of 1/2" to 3/4" flat seal against my neck. I get no bruising or cuts on neck or wrists. The wrist seals are much the same as in far enough off the palm of my hand so that they do not roll and I get at least an inch of solid coverage. I use latex bottle seals on a ring system for my wrists and a latex neck seal. I will soon be upgrading my suit to a neck ring and silicone seal.

 

[Neilwood]

One thing is how much do you move your neck while wearing the drysuit? I know one person who looks about very actively (meerkat like is one description of him) and he always comes out with a strip of red on his neck. Something like that would have a tendency to exacerbate any issue of tightness.

 

[kelemvor]

Seems bizarre to me. Maybe something's wrong with your seals if they are hard enough to cut or bruise you. You could try replacing them.

The latex seals on my suit are so soft I always wonder how they don't get torn every time I use them.

 

[3D diver]

Spreading a latex safe lubricant on your neck may help. KY jelly, or something similar.

 

[fmerkel]

Latex "rash" is not all that unusual. There should be a ____flat____section of the seal that lays on your neck. Some big guys with short fat necks have trouble getting it to lay flat as it just wants to roll. Can't help with that.

If you've cut the seal back so far you don't have a flat section > you are going to get a much harsher small contact seal. It won't seal as well and it will be more prone to a rash.
You can use a lubricant (even silicone grease works) to help with the rash. If you are getting actual cuts, I'd strongly consider a new seal AND make sure you get a size that needs minimal trimming this time.

Some people are allergic to latex. If so you need to change type of seals (silicone or neoprene). You can also get an Apollo Bioseal, which helps with the seal, separates you from the latex, softens the pressure, and will help the seal if the seal has gotten too large. They seem to be kind of expensive and flimsy but work great and hold up very well. Great product if it's what you need.

Neoprene seals are a LOT more comfortable, durable, and warmer.

 

[Subcooled]

I've never gotten either cuts or bruises from the seals.

Me neither. If the pressure inside the suit and in the water are equal (as it should) then not much pressure is required at the neck seal.

 

[KathyIGH]

Hi. This is Kathy with DUI. I saw your thread. We have a small article up about friction burns on our website. It's at DRYSUIT FRICTION BURN - DUI Online - drysuits . This may not be what you are talking about.

If your drysuit seal is to large you may try moving it down a bit on your neck.

Moving your head can break the seal. Some people have issues with 'channels' in their wrist and neck. If you look at yourself in the mirror while slowly turning your neck you will notice how it changes.

This sounds weird but try turning your upper body not just your neck. Like you have a very stiff neck. That may help.