Hoods - How tight?

[MNScuba]

Just tried on my hood for the first time... It came with my Mares Isotherm, question is this: How tight are they supposed to be? I feel like my face was popping out the opening. I'm guessing it's ok because it will loosen up a bit in the water, right?

The size is Large, I'm 6'2 and 200 pounds.

 

[Scubaroo]

Hi Murdock325,

A lot of hoods are designed to have the face hole trimmed to size - you should be able to trim it up with scissors to allow some more room for your mask, and to lower the chin a little so it doesn't push your regulator up into your mask. Hoods are meant to be snug to minimise water flow over your head, but shouldn't feel like someone is trying to squeeze your brain! If it's just the face that feels tight, give it a trim. If the whole hood feel tight, you might want to swap it up a size. So only trim it if you're sure it will help.

If it doesn't come with them already, punch a few holes in the top of it as well to avoid bubblehead syndrome - air from mask clearing etc can slowly build up in there destroying the insulative properties of the hood (and its annoying too). A hole over each ear can help with clearing your ears as well.

cheers

Ben

 

[herman]

To add to the hole suggestion, use a hot pencil soldering iron or a med size nail heated with a torch or gas burner. This will punch a neat, clean hole that is sealed so it will not tear or run. All my hoods are done this way. Do this out doors, the hot rubber stinks..hehehe

 

[Scubaroo]

thanks herman

also suggest you remove the hood before poking a soldering iron through it, or just stop when you feel resistance

ben

 

[SpyderTek]

Originally posted by bengiddins
thanks herman

also suggest you remove the hood before poking a soldering iron through it, or just stop when you feel resistance

ben

Damn, I KNEW I was doig SOMETHING wrong....
Spydertek

 

[herman]

Hummmm.....Maybe that was smoking hair that smelled so bad and not rubber after all.

 

[jbd]

Murdock325--whats the fit like around the neck. Too tight around the carotids is not good either. Have seen some folks that had trouble breathing with a too tight hood.

 

[The Chairman]

If your eyes are popping out of their sockets, methinks you have it a tad too tight.