Neck Seal Leak vertical looking down

[traumadiver]

Hey Everyone,
I completed the pool session for my DS class using a DUI CF200 with latex neck seals. I noticed that when I was vertical, air would blow out my neck. Could not quite pin the problem down until this morning.

First, upon the advice of my LDC's scuba guru I folded the neck seal in on itself, much like a neoprene seal. I also wore my non drysuit type hood with a bib collar tucked into the warm neck collar of the DS.

I found today that the problem is isolated when I am in a vertical, head up position and my head looks down.

I have a pretty thin neck so I wonder if this could be the issue. Of course there is the possibility of having to loose of a neck seal as well.

Of course the easy solution would be just to not look down while in a vertical head up position right?

I am just looking for others advice before I replace the seal. Maybe this is just a normal thing which replacing the seal would not help....or maybe I am in denial..lol.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a bunch

 

[dave4868]

You're probably right that it's your thin neck and the slightly loose neck seal. Most likely, a tighter latex seal will cure the problem, unless you've got super-prominent tendons.

You can postpone replacing your neck seal if you use an elastic neck band of some sort over the latex neck seal. I made one of neoprene, 1/8 inch thick x 2 inches wide, to hold down the loose, leaking neck seal on a used suit I bought. It completely stopped the leaks and allowed me to get a couple more years of normal life out of the neck seal. I still use it during the winter for added warmth.

Dave C

 

[jlovold]

If you use your BCD for buoyancy, you won´t have this problem.
Just keep enough air in your suit to give your undersuit material some loft, so that you keep warm. It´s also easier to control your buoyancy and trim this way. You can even be in a vertical head-down position without filling your legs with air.

 

[rongoodman]

Think of it as a good reminder to stay flat in the water.

 

[b1gcountry]

I wouldn't worry about it. As you said, it isn't happening unless you're vertical and straining your neck. Dry suits are never really dry, so don't expect to get through all your dives without getting a few dribbles of water into your suit.

As a lot of the folks above mentioned, it's usually better to be horizontal in the water anyway. Especially with a drysuit. Having a drysuit burp when you're vertical is a standard thing. It will happen to anyone no matter how tight their neck seal is if they have enough air in their suit. Like JV said, just try running your suit with a little less air, and it won't happen as much. As long as the suit isn't leaking while you're in a normal diving position, don't waste any money on installing a new seal that going to be too tight anyway.

Tom

 

[300bar]

Dry suits are never really dry.

Tom

You need a GOOD drysuit,mine is dry 100% of my dives. :mooner:

Allthough, when I was diving a neopreen neckseal,I had the same problems.

OP,look at a thighter fit latex seal and you will be DRY.

 

[traumadiver]

Thanks everyone of the input. I am going to try and dive it OW without any modification. If I find that water is entering my suit more than I would like I will try a neoprene gaiter type thing or just replace the seal completely, depending on cost. I know my LDC is getting some bulk neoprene in soon.

Take care and have some safe dives!

 

[tomdell]

You're probably right that it's your thin neck and the slightly loose neck seal. Most likely, a tighter latex seal will cure the problem, unless you've got super-prominent tendons.

You can postpone replacing your neck seal if you use an elastic neck band of some sort over the latex neck seal. I made one of neoprene, 1/8 inch thick x 2 inches wide, to hold down the loose, leaking neck seal on a used suit I bought. It completely stopped the leaks and allowed me to get a couple more years of normal life out of the neck seal. I still use it during the winter for added warmth.

Dave C

Hi, I have the same problem - leakage in spite of using bio- seals and almost no air in my dry-suit. My neck is very slim and after couple of dozen dives latex seals stretch a bit and even my trusty bio-seals do not help. Lat time I was flooded because when air bursts out of the neck seal water gets in and - here I was - soaking wet.
Dave, could you please, post a photo of your neoprene neck-tie so i could make myself one? Ot just describe how you stitched that band of neoprene, please.
thanks for your advise, it makes sense and i would like to to try it.

 

[dave4868]

Dave, could you please, post a photo of your neoprene neck-tie so i could make myself one? Ot just describe how you stitched that band of neoprene, please.
thanks for your advise, it makes sense and i would like to to try it.

Tom, I made a couple of 2" wide neck bands from 1/8" neoprene that was lined on both sides, which meant stitching would hold fine. I overlapped the ends about an inch and then hand-sewed the overlap with carpet thread in a typical box and X pattern.

Unfortunately, after a couple of years, the lining is beginning to tear at the stitches, so I bought some higher quality 1/8" unlined neoprene to make some new ones.

I'll butt-join the new unlined neoprene with contact cement. I might even reinforce the joint with a small piece of Melco tape, although it's probably not necessary. They should last longer than the first ones.

Good luck! Feel free to PM if needed.

Dave C

 

[tomdell]

Thanks a lot, Dave,
I will look up the Internet what Melco tape means ( yes, I am THAT blonde) and get to work - this new seal will be a Godsend (Davesend).
Lots and lots of thanks.