My first Out of Air experience

[crispix]

No, it's not what you think!

I was in the dive shop a couple days ago trying on a 5/3 hooded vest that, in hindsight, was obviously way too small for me. Alone, I was half naked with my arms sticking straight up through the sleeves when the body of the vest suctioned itself to my face!

Dumb as I was, I exhaled and tried to get my head through the neck of the hood, and just got even more stuck. I tried to breathe and got nothing -- it was like sucking on a plastic bag!

Of course, no one else was around, and I struggled and had that moment of panic. I relaxed and was eventually able to stretch enough to get a breath and then, um, call for some help. Oh, the dive shop embarassment!

Moral of the story: always have a buddy when trying on neoprene, if only to tell you that your aren't as skinny as you think you are!

 

[eckybay]

lol . . .this is why I got a hyperstretch hooded vest! Glad no one got bent

 

[Wildcard]

I got traped in my 7mm FJ when I tried to put on a pull on vest over it. Couldn't breath, boiling hot and no one around. Had to do the Houdini thing.

 

[airsix]

A few months ago the very exact thing happened to someone else here. Glad you're all right.
-Ben M.

 

[K Mejean]

That was funny. Fear of that is why I won't try stuff on in the dive shop. If I do it at home the only one to laugh will be the wife. She can keep a secret. The boys at the dive shop would never let that die.

 

[dmblack58]

always have a buddy when trying on neoprene

I'm not so sure this is a good idea. While a buddy might be able to help you get out of neoprene that's a little tight they will tell everyone you know how they had to 'rescue you.'

I don't know about your friends but mine would never let me live it down.

 

[Guba]

Always a good idea to keep your dive knife handy...

(Just kidding....but trying to explain that shredded wetsuit in the dressing room would sure be tough!)

 

[abitton]

I almost remarked that this was an extra incentive to get a drysuit, then imagined someone choking on the neck seal...

Ouch...

Happy you made it out safely!!!

Alex

 

[mobster75]

By chance were you trying on a Pinnacle hooded vest?

Couple months ago I was looking to buy a 5/3 hooded vest because of the chill on my back during local dives (56f water) and went to slip on the Pinnacle without realizing how tight the neck seal would be (right size too) and the seal got stuck over my mouth/nose. Almost got really nervous, but gave it one last pull to get through the opening.

Since then, I've just learned to give it one BIG pull down to get past the neck seal then adjust. Heh.

 

[hudman10]

Not as serious as yours but, I tried on a 5/7 Farmer suit that was a little too small, by the time I was done (being a hardhead), I was sweating so bad I was about to pass out. By the time I got out of it, I was on the ground, lol.