How to Trim a Hood?

[WaterFox]

New diver here, sorry if this question seems obvious to you...

Bought a hood recently at my LDS. The sales person said that I would need to trim the hood and I said "OK". When I got home, I realized that I did not ask how to properly trim the hood and did not think to ask at the time. So my question is, how do I trim my hood for a proper fit? Also is there anything special I need to do to the hood after taking a pair of scissors to the neoprene or is it ready to go as is? Thanks!

 

[LG Diver]

Put the hood on, then put your mask on. If the skirt of the mask overlaps the edges of the hood at all, trace along the edge of the mask skirt with a piece of chalk. Take the hood off and trim along the chalk line with a sharp pair of scissors. No need to do anything else to it.

Also, if it doesn't already have one, you may want to poke a hole in the top of the hood so that air can escape. Nothing worse than getting a gas bubble in the hood that you can't get rid of. I like to use a hot soldering iron for that. Put the hole so that it will be at the high point of your head when you're in proper trim- this will not be the top of your head, unless you dive in perfect vertical trim

 

[Rand]

What LG Diver said.

Also, I found with my hood that I needed to trim around the reg. Same method as above, but trace around the reg in your mouth. I found it worked fine to make a mark at the lowest point of the mouthpiece of the reg and then just trim along a line on the side of the hood, keeping the general contours of the uncut opening. Otherwise, you'll end up with a weird "U" shaped opening at the bottom above your chin that just doesn't look right.

While cutting, try to make long cuts with the scissors. Short cuts will leave a jagged edge. It just looks more neat and trim if you limit your cuts.

I found a White Out pen worked well for the outlines of the mask and reg. I just scratched it off when I was done.

 

[spectrum]

I use the same marking around the mask method but then sketch the cut line 1/4" to 3/8" inboard so the face seal can overlap the mask skirt a but. It helps a lot when the water is really cold. A silver Sharpie works well for me.

Pete

 

[Scubakevdm]

Put the hood on, then put your mask on. If the skirt of the mask overlaps the edges of the hood at all, trace along the edge of the mask skirt with a piece of chalk. Take the hood off and trim along the chalk line with a sharp pair of scissors. No need to do anything else to it.

Also, if it doesn't already have one, you may want to poke a hole in the top of the hood so that air can escape. Nothing worse than getting a gas bubble in the hood that you can't get rid of. I like to use a hot soldering iron for that. Put the hole so that it will be at the high point of your head when you're in proper trim- this will not be the top of your head, unless you dive in perfect vertical trim

Also, be sure to remove the hood before burning the holes in it with the soldering iron.