Hood Problem

[decoeric]

Looking for some ideas on my problem with cold water hoods. I have logged about 20 dives and to date, have not found the proper hood or a solution to the problem I'm having with my hood. My hood fills so much with air, that I can't keep my mask sealed because the strap is moving around so much. My buddies say I have a huge air bubble in about 30 seconds after I'm under water. I don't know where all the air is coming from and it has happened in rentals, BARE, Henderson, all the hoods I've tried. Any idea what I'm doing wrong, or what is going wrong? Thanks for any suggestions you have.

Get a sharp razor blade and cut an X shape at the very top of your hood, make each line of the X about an inch to an inch and a half. Your air will vent... Either that or every so often hit yourself on the top of the head. That works too..

 

[simbrooks]

I got a sharp punch, the slits are un-noticible unless you pass water or air through them. I would also make them in the top and down the back of your hood around the centreline. The exhaust valves put in on Henderson and others hoods are in the top and only work if your head is up. If however you are horizontal the air isnt collecting where the vent is and therefore you need to add a couple around the crown of your head and maybe one or two more slightly further down your head within a few inches of the crown. I havent had any coneheading since i did this and also havent had a cold head either!!!

 

[hecker-the-wrecker]

You could try a purge mask, then the bubbles will vent out the front, instead of into the hood.

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

I've heard that a hole in-line with each ear will help get the air out of your ears, and make it easier to equalize.

I haven't tried it yet, but instead make sure that I flood each ear when on the surface.

 

[jbd]

I got a sharp punch, the slits are un-noticible unless you pass water or air through them. I would also make them in the top and down the back of your hood around the centreline. The exhaust valves put in on Henderson and others hoods are in the top and only work if your head is up. If however you are horizontal the air isnt collecting where the vent is and therefore you need to add a couple around the crown of your head and maybe one or two more slightly further down your head within a few inches of the crown. I havent had any coneheading since i did this and also havent had a cold head either!!!

Good point about having the vent in the back of the hood. I actually have three vents in my hoods. One at the top, one at the very back of my head(occipital bone) and one halfway between those two.

 

[rickyd]

Burning holes is easy. I just held a nail with pliers, and heated on the stove. Quick push/melt thru the neoprene. You may want to first mark where to do this. I have a line or 4 or 5, running from top to back of the head. Solved my bubble problem.

I wouldn't use a soldering pencil - it's too big a diameter.

 

[Sideband]

Wear your mask strap under your hood?
<shrug>

Joe

 

[Dryglove]

I've heard that a hole in-line with each ear will help get the air out of your ears, and make it easier to equalize.

I can be one of those slow equalizing types from time to time and by doing the above helped a bunch. I used to flood my hood before decent which also worked pretty good but prefer a very small hole in the hood next to my ears.

 

[carolhd]

Thanks for the ideas, I thought more venting is what I would need. Can you explain why to vent by my ears? Does equalization push out that much air? Now I'm wondering if I am inadvertantly venting out my nose, how do I stop that? I have tried my strap on the inside and that helps alot, however I can't wear the snorkel very well then, which is sometimes okay (for quarry or something) but other times, not okay.
Any suggestions on better hoods to try, I think cutting around my face so the hood doesn't come over my mask would be good, but so far I have only seen a BARE that I can cut....any suggestions. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[simbrooks]

You want to let a little water out of your nose once in a while, at least on descent to stop squeeze, just try to breathe in and out with your mouth - easier said than done with many people, myself included.

I know that with or without a hood that sometimes air gets trapped in my ears, all i do is tilt my head and out it goes, or pull my ears by the top (which also gives a little extra to help equalise when needed) and i guess that also tilts my head, but the air vents out. I would guess (just thinking as an engineer here, no medical training), that air trapped in the ear canal will compress and although it still holds the same pressure as the water outside the bubble of air in the ear will somehow affect the ability to equalise compared to just water being in there and applying pressure to the ear drum (all in the outer ear).

Assuming you have a snorkel that you can unclip - try strapping the snorkel to your leg or if it is a crushable one, roll it up and stick it in a pocket, you wont need it where you are for most of your dive, only on the surface.