Gates Pro-AM: zip yourself in?

[rebreather1]

I'm considering buying a Gates Pro-Am drysuit. I haven't tried one on, yet (because I don't know where I would be able to do that, anyway), but I was wondering something about the rear-entry zippers. I know they have to be really tight, but are they designed so that you can zip yourself in and out, or do you always need your dive buddy to do it?

Thanks in advance,

 

[Bob3]

Don't try it, it's about the best way I know of to trash out a zipper.
You can expect to pay over $100 for a new zipper, plus the labor to install. Getting away under $200 to have a new zipper installed would be cheap.
What size do you take, by the way?

 

[rebreather1]

What size do you take, by the way?

Probably XL. I'm 6'4" and slim.

 

[Bob3]

Probably XL. I'm 6'4" and slim.

I have a size small here, maybe I could hook it up to a "suit stretcher" & get another foot of altitude for ya.

The closest Gates dealer is going to be down in Escondito, as far as I know.

 

[spurtill]

designed only to be done by a buddy, or any passing stranger

I've seen people with different gadgets for opening it and closing it but I'd be a little dodgy about it myself.

One of our guys is flexible and can do it himself but looks like he's about to do himself some serious injury.

Another guy has a clother hanger bent a certain way and it connects to his wing mirror and then he puts the loop of the zip onto the hook on it and steps the side.

Both these guys REALLY have to keep their zips waxed.