New Drysuit Advice

[pbgormley]

Hi,

I just bought myself a nice new drysuit and was really just looking for some advice/tips etc on keeping care of it, ie cleaning & storage methods, should it be packed in its original bag or hung up after dives (obviously after it has dried out ) how to keep the seals in good condition, cleaning the zipper etc, anything really.

Cheers

 

[TeddyDiver]

Simple rinsing after diving. Hung up to dry. Store in cool dry place. Wax the zipper and some "baby powder" to wrist and neck seals...

 

[pbgormley]

Thank you TeddyDiver

After it has dried, should i pack it or leave it hanging up ?

 

[cummings66]

Do not use Baby Powder. That stuff usually has oils and scents in it which will degrade your seals over time. Get pure Talc if you can, pool stores have it by the way.

Finding unscented unoiled Baby Powder is quite tough, no store around me sells it.

 

[Biodiversity_guy]

Corn starch can be substituted for the talc. Corn starch has fewer health concerns associated with its use.

 

[Sharky1948]

After it has dried, should i pack it or leave it hanging up ?

Either is fine so long as it is totally dry and you do not put unnecessary stresss on the zipper. I hang mine with on a dry suit hangar, leaving the waterproof zipper open (keeping it zipped reduces the life), but zipping the outer zipper most of the way to take stress off of the end of the main zipper. That way I am assured it continues to ventilate and is dry, not moldy, next time I dive. (Oh, except for the time I inadvertenly got some water in the feet when rinsing it and didn't notice it when I hung it. It was a bit of surprise when I donned it and soaked my feet! Fortunately at home when fitting a new harness! )

Welcome to the warm world.

 

[markfm]

I do the hanger bit too, put in a small block at the bottom for the feet to rest on, minimizes stress on anything while being high enough to keep the inside open.

 

[jiveturkey]

Why talc the suit for storage? I thought that was a lubricating thing for donning and doffing.