Latex Wrist Seals - Do They Stretch Or Not??

[akscubainst]

thanks Dave, but how can I tell how much to remove when there are no markings on the insides or outsides of the cuffs? Is there a good starting point? As a shop owner, would you suggest taking this task on myself??

It's alot harder without the lines to follow. Like Msilva said, 1/8" or so at a time and be conservative. 1 too many and it's time for a new seal.

As a shop owner, anybody who brings any suit through my door can have the seals trimmed for free.

Would I recommend that you do it? not if you have a shop willing to do it, but if not then just take your time, and err on the side of caution. It's not uncommon for us to trim a seal to the point where it's close and then have them dive it and maybe they'll decide that it needs a little more off maybe it fits fine.



Dave

 

[scubadobadoo]

I agree that scissors are better. I watched my dive shop cut my wife's latex wrist seals in the same manner as neoprene seals (stretching over tank/bottle) and by using a razor blade. The shop had to send the suit back to get another seal installed because the seal split due to the stretching and the razor blade. So, neoprene=stretching with blade and latex=nice sharp scissors as stated before.

As for stretcching over time, my latex seals have stretched a little and are much more comfy after about 40 or so dives. At first, they were a little tight and hurt a bit but after a few months I was glad they weren't cut larger. Good luck. It is very normal to go through this process, especially the first time. DIVE SAFE AND OFTEN!