Frozen Wetsuit?

[Bubblesong]

The Chairman , ("Airtist" formerly known as NetDoc) says he put a dehumidifier in his vehicle to dry out his gear and it was powder dry in the morning.

 

[KeithG]

I guess my thought is the wetsuit's pores are full of water--that maybe this does something to the integrity of the neoprene --freezing the water then thawing it.

neoprene uses a closed cell construction (as opposed to open cell like a synthetic sponge) so water can not "get in" the neoprene. it can only coat the surface. as the neoprene ages it will crack and some of the cells become open cells - and lose their inslation and bouyancy properties.

neoprene used in wetsuits have a fabric surface layer (of various materials) that provide scuff protection, stretch resistance, cushion, colors and a whole host of other wonderful marketing properties. this surface material does absord water just like bathing suit material does.

 

[Vicko]

Just watch out when you crack the ice that it does not cut into the neoprene, other then that you are fine.

 

[Resqdivemedic]

You need one of these...works wonders to dry the inside of my drysuit when it's gotten wet.

Underwater Kinetics HangAir | Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL - Dive Right in Scuba

I have been using a HangAir for several years. Works great on neoprene and on a drysuit. Being a swiftwater rescue instructor, it's nice to have a dry suit (neoprene or shell dry suit) for the next days class.

 

[TMHeimer]

I only dive once weekly (will NOT be putting on a frozen suit the next day as the water here is cold enough already this time of year here) and just wondered if hanging the wetsuit wet in our boathouse outside might be bad if the temp. goes below freezing overnight. It only hangs there one night, then inside. Am having trouble getting a consensus as to whether this hurts the suit or not. I'll probably never leave it outside anyway--just curious.

 

[Bubblesong]

My recommendation is to get a piece of neoprene and test its floatiness before and after hanging wet outside to freeze. If it loses floatiness, that would be bad.
My theory is that as ice crystals slowly grow, they cut the material in tiny cuts. This is the theory of why a Zuccini is firm before you freeze it and squishy after defrosting. The ice crystals cut the plant cell walls that give firmness. My advice is don't let suit freeze.

 

[EastEndDiver]

I doubt I am the only one who thought of this ........why not call a wetsuit manufacturer and ask

.Below is Henderson's care page and at the bottom is has their phone number I think they are located in NJ.

Care Instructions • Henderson Aquatics

 

[KeithG]

You will be fine. We have already established that (some) neoprene's working temp extends down to -65F (I also saw some stuff "only" rated down to -30F). As long as the suit stays within its working temperature range you will be fine.

You need to consider that most things in our lives have a much wider temperature range than we humans do. And only a very few things stop working at the freezing point of water. As a Canadian, just about everything I own keeps working down past freezing.

 

[TMHeimer]

True, but at minus 30-40 your car won't work if not plugged in.

 

[KeithG]

True, but at minus 30-40 your car won't work if not plugged in.

Mine will (it's a Saab!) Agreed that yours may not start. But it will not fall apart. And it will work just fine once things warm up a bit, with no degradation in performance.