how to stay dry in a drysuit

[Gary D.]

The brand of suit isn’t the issue. The big difference is if they are Latex or Neoprene seals.

Latex needs to be trimmed to fit you. Always start out a bit on the tight side because there will be some stretch in time. If you have the big wrist valleys slide the seal a bit further up your arm to get above that tendon valley. Latex does not need to be rolled over.

Neoprene seals need the edge rolled over to the inside, not the outside. When they are rolled over any air that gets to the seal will try to expand the seal and not be so likely to leak.

No matter what the seal material is if air is escaping through it your going to get water in it.

Another common problem is under or over weighting. If you’re under weighted and on the edge of a suit squeeze you will find out where all the weaker sealing points are. Over weighting may cause you to add more air to the suit, which might make the seals burp and let water in.

One thing to remember is that dry suits are not 100% dry. Even if you are 100% sealed and no outside water gets in you will still be a bit wet. This comes from condensation and/or sweat. Things inside will just be damp. Pouring water out is a problem that needs to be worked on.

Enjoy diving dry.

Gary D.

 

[Thalassamania]

yes this is normal. Do you have wrists that the tendons make valleys when you move?
I found that I need very small wrist seals, but to my fix I use dry gloves. now for my neck I have the same problem, so I wear a t shirt over my undies to soak up the small amount of water that gets threw.

Try the "dog collar" neck seal and dry hood system, the neck seal is the instantly replacable and you stay bone dry.

 

[TSandM]

First off, seals have to fit. If this is a rental suit, it may not fit very well.

Second, the more vigorously you move your hands and wrists, the more water will get in through the seal. So, when you do the training, and you're doing the somersaults and such, you are more likely to get damp. DAMP is the key -- The leak due to tendons is small and intermittent. If you had to pour water out of the boots of the suit when you finished, that's too much leak.

 

[chad-purdy]

First off, seals have to fit. If this is a rental suit, it may not fit very well.

Second, the more vigorously you move your hands and wrists, the more water will get in through the seal. So, when you do the training, and you're doing the somersaults and such, you are more likely to get damp. DAMP is the key -- The leak due to tendons is small and intermittent. If you had to pour water out of the boots of the suit when you finished, that's too much leak.

well its a new suit and its custom fit first off.... but its just my wrist seals that leak but not much.my arm pit didnt get wet but my sleeves where soaked.

 

[*Floater*]

i just had my drysuit training yesterday and when i got out my arms where wet has theis happened to anyone before and might no how to fix it. i have tuck under seals my neck didnt leak just my wrist seals.

It happened to me once because my undergarment sleeve was stuck under the wrist seal (latex) which allowed the leak. I pushed it in when I noticed it and the leak stopped.

 

[Tigerman]

The brand of suit isn’t the issue. The big difference is if they are Latex or Neoprene seals.

Latex needs to be trimmed to fit you. Always start out a bit on the tight side because there will be some stretch in time. If you have the big wrist valleys slide the seal a bit further up your arm to get above that tendon valley. Latex does not need to be rolled over.

Neoprene seals need the edge rolled over to the inside, not the outside. When they are rolled over any air that gets to the seal will try to expand the seal and not be so likely to leak.

No matter what the seal material is if air is escaping through it your going to get water in it.

Another common problem is under or over weighting. If you’re under weighted and on the edge of a suit squeeze you will find out where all the weaker sealing points are. Over weighting may cause you to add more air to the suit, which might make the seals burp and let water in.

One thing to remember is that dry suits are not 100% dry. Even if you are 100% sealed and no outside water gets in you will still be a bit wet. This comes from condensation and/or sweat. Things inside will just be damp. Pouring water out is a problem that needs to be worked on.

Enjoy diving dry.

Gary D.

I have a BARE CD4 ProDry and it has neoprene neck seal and latex wristseals. According to the manual both should be tucked in 1-2" (inside).
My previous dive with that suit I was also 100% dry..
I do however use 100% woll underwear when diving dry, so the times im not 100% dry im still warm.

 

[Gary D.]

Each mfg has their own recomendations. You noticed I said Neoprene "Needs" to be rolled where Latex doesn't "Need" to be rolled. Latex can go either way. If it seals w/o leaking great, don't roll it. If it does then roll it.

IF the seals are trimmed to fit the wrist properly rolling isn't needed.

How are you staying 100% dry? If you have something to counteract condensation I want to know about it.

Gary D.

 

[Tigerman]

Each mfg has their own recomendations. You noticed I said Neoprene "Needs" to be rolled where Latex doesn't "Need" to be rolled. Latex can go either way. If it seals w/o leaking great, don't roll it. If it does then roll it.

IF the seals are trimmed to fit the wrist properly rolling isn't needed.

How are you staying 100% dry? If you have something to counteract condensation I want to know about it.

Gary D.

Its called not stressing?
I dont stress, I dont sweat, I dont get wet..
Wearing wool rather than those syntethic suits might play a part as well?
Also, the fact that when I dive dry it aint 70 degrees fahrenheit in the water and 90 degrees on land might help

 

[Gary D.]

Its called not stressing?
I dont stress, I dont sweat, I dont get wet..
Wearing wool rather than those syntethic suits might play a part as well?
Also, the fact that when I dive dry it aint 70 degrees fahrenheit in the water and 90 degrees on land might help

You still didn't answer the question. How do you combat condensation?

We can stay 100% dry from leakage but condensation will prevent staying 100% dry.

Here locally we can have 100df days with 80df+ surface temps and still be in the mid 30's at depth. We can also have sub zero df a solid surface and still mid 30's at depth and all on the same body of water. Sorta like your diving w/o the heat.

Condensation is a problem when ever you have a temp differential. That is what will keep one from being 100% dry in a dry suit.

Gary D.

 

[Bryan]

You still didn't answer the question. How do you combat condensation?

We can stay 100% dry from leakage but condensation will prevent staying 100% dry.

Here locally we can have 100df days with 80df+ surface temps and still be in the mid 30's at depth. We can also have sub zero df a solid surface and still mid 30's at depth and all on the same body of water. Sorta like your diving w/o the heat.

Condensation is a problem when ever you have a temp differential. That is what will keep one from being 100% dry in a dry suit.

Gary D.

Having an undergarment that wicks moisture away helps make the normal condensation thing tolerable.

When I test-dove a DUI drysuit at the DUI Dog days last weekend, I was advised that wearing cotton underwear with your drysuit may leave you wet and chilly.