Hoods and equalizing

[texdiveguy]

I just got a new NeoSport 5mil full hood with bib. The size is a M and fits snug around the ears/chin/face,,,,is not to snug around my neck. What tricks//methods can you tell me about proper equalizing methods you have learned thru your dive exper. in wearing a hood??

 

[HammerNoMore]

Let the water in. Just open the side and let some water in to equalize. Either that or burn a hole where your ear is so water can get to your ear automaticly.

James

 

[jbd]

In addition to James' advice, if your hood doesn't have some vet holes in it you can trap air in the hood and it will effect you ability to be horizontal. The holes sould be very small. I have three in mine One at the top one at the very back and one half way between the those. I don't have holes at the ears though and have not had any trouble with equalizing.

 

[humanFish]

I just got a new NeoSport 5mil full hood with bib. The size is a M and fits snug around the ears/chin/face,,,,is not to snug around my neck. What tricks//methods can you tell me about proper equalizing methods you have learned thru your dive exper. in wearing a hood??

You can easily burn a hole buy heating up a nail(hold it with pliers) and pushing it through the neoprene....start with a small diameter nail...you won't need much of a hole to do the job....

 

[jbd]

You can easily burn a hole buy heating up a nail(hold it with pliers) and pushing it through the neoprene....start with a small diameter nail...you won't need much of a hole to do the job....

I used a 4 penny finishing nail on the first hood and was quite surprised at how large the resulting hole was. The second hood I used a strand of wire. The hole was smaller and more suitable.

 

[Charlie99]

I don't find that a neoprene hood affects equalizing in any way.

If water seeps into one ear but not the other, it sounds and feels funny, and I'll tug the hood a little to let water into the dry ear.

I suggest that you do a couple dives before you add any holes. If you do add a single vent hole, make it more towards the back of the head rather than the center top.

 

[Jim Baldwin]

I cut a small slit on each side of the hood centered over my ears so that I can open the hood slightly with a finger and let water in. This doesn't disrupt my mask strap or fit and I don't notice any water flow. The hole in the top of the hood works real good. You don't realize how much air gets trapped in the top and how it will also affect your mask fit.

Jim
Louisiana

I just got a new NeoSport 5mil full hood with bib. The size is a M and fits snug around the ears/chin/face,,,,is not to snug around my neck. What tricks//methods can you tell me about proper equalizing methods you have learned thru your dive exper. in wearing a hood??

 

[matt_unique]

I don't find that a neoprene hood affects equalizing in any way.

If water seeps into one ear but not the other, it sounds and feels funny, and I'll tug the hood a little to let water into the dry ear.

I suggest that you do a couple dives before you add any holes. If you do add a single vent hole, make it more towards the back of the head rather than the center top.

Same for me, hood does not affect equalizing at all. The only time I touch my hood is during ascent and on the surface. During ascent sometimes I will have a small bit of trapped air so I press on the top of my head to vent the bubbles. On the surface after a dive if I have water in the ear I will tug the side open.

--Matt

 

[Dryglove]

I am one of those that have to have ear holes in my hood or equalizing is extremely difficult. I envy those who dont need holes or equalize easily

 

[texdiveguy]

THANKS everyone for your great suggestions!!!!