LP hose...how to inflate?

[Bobb]

Hi all,
I just purchased a used dry suit....and....ok, I know that I need a lp hose hooked up to my 1st stage....but, what activates the air? I'm assuming that I need some kind of inflator switch (such as on my bc) or else a "splitter" of some sort to utilize my bc hose......help...thanks.

 

[watergal]

You need a LP inflator hose which is the same as, but completely separate from, your BC inflator hose. In all dry suit models I have seen the "activator" is smack in the middle of the drysuit chest. It is usually round and will have a metal male part that looks like your BC inflator connection. If you are lucky, you may be able to swivel it to position the hose to your prefered side. Push the round dohickey in to inflate the suit. Like your BC, just a puff at a time. If you do not see one anywhere on the suit, it sounds like you may have purchased youself a used semidry suit instead!:tease:

Have someone who is familiar with drysuit diving check you out in it and stay with you when you test it out. The neck seal must be tight enough to keep you dry, but loose enough to let you breathe and get blood to your brain--not always easy to arrange. Vent position for diving and method of venting varies some with the suit, so make sure you know before you go down. The first few dives in a drysuit are frustrating, so play around in a shallow, safe situation before taking it on a real dive.

I have a very scary cave story about a buddy in a new-to-him style of dry suit. I will save that for after you are used to the suit! Congratulations, and have fun this winter.

 

[Lost Yooper]

Bobb,

You definately need a totally seperate hose coming off your first stage to inflate the suit. Like Watergal said, the inflator should be in the center of the chest.

What kind of suit is it?

Mike

 

[Bobb]

WaterGal,
Thanks, I did know that...and I totally forgot. But, after reading your reply, I checked it out...and, of course it's right there. I feel like a fool (not uncommon for me).. I just got the suit yesterday, and of course I had to check it for leaks...I have a stream about 12' from my back door..it's about 5' deep, so.....I put it on, and walked into the water...and almost fell over becauce of the trapped air...but at least it didn't seem to leak...maybe I'll try it out in Keowee this weekend or next weekend....anyway.....thanks again...

 

[Bobb]

Mike,
It's a posidon unisuit (neoprene) just an old, cheap suit...but I didn't want to spend alot of $$ on it in case I didn't like it (although I can't imagine I wouldn't like staying warm)

 

[watergal]

Bob(b)

Check out your private messages.

Before you dive your need to vent the suit. If you have a controlled entry into the water you can use water pressure to push air out the neck or the vent. Otherwise, there are a variety of manoeuvres that can be done on land to "burp" the suit.

Whether to leave only a puff in the suit (my method, especially considering it is a neoprene suit) or to keep some extra air and use the suit for bouancy is one of the red hot tropics on this board and I do not wish to reopen it, but there is plenty in the archives.

Again, please take a drysuit experienced buddy with you for the first few OW dives. It (as you have discovered) completely changes how you dive and can be dangerous while you are figuring everthing out.

Did you get undies with it?

 

[Lost Yooper]

But I like the red hot topics. Bobb, you can expect it to take quite a long time to get used to the dry suit. Baby steps are important. Go ahead and post any Q's you may have, and we'll do our best to help out.

Mike

 

[watergal]

LY--really?

I wonder if anyone has noticed?

 

[Lost Yooper]

Well, I try to be subtle.

Mike

 

[SubMariner]

I'd like to take Watergal's suggestion one step further and STRONGLY suggest you take a drysuit course BEFORE you attempt ANY open water dives with your suit.

As I've said countless times before, a drysuit is NOT just another passive piece of equipment like fins that you put on & use. It takes training and practice to use the suit safely & effectively.

Be safe... take a drysuit course from good Instructor accredited in the Specialty!

~SubMariner