Scratches on dry seals, how bad is it?

[Patoux01]

Hey guys,

I recently bought a new drysuit, but I don't have anyone to help me out with the potential issues (perfectly fine with buoyancy etc as I used them during my OW course). Reason for that is I bought it online (seaskin) rather than local (where you can only find DUI and FE, both slightly too expensive for me). So I'm hoping to find some help online.

First, I feel like the seals are very exposed on those suits, making them more prone to failure. Would they fail for instance if I should hold on to a rock on a surfy exit?
Second, I somehow scratched the seals, I think the velcro on my gloves is responsible for that (it's not completely held down because it lost its stretch), I'll replace it with a bit of bungee. How bad is it?



I know they're bound to fail someday, I'll replace them with a ring system at that moment, but if that day could come after a bit more than 10 dives, that'd be cool. They haven't been exposed to sun, they spent a few hours on a covered deck on a rainy day, nothing more. Or could it be something else than the velcro?

Cheers

 

[Ken T]

They look perfectly normal to my eyes.

Regular use scruffing.

Not likely to fail anytime soon.

 

[Imla]

Wouldn't worry a second. The biggest threat to seals are skin oils, and stretching with sharp objects close by.
I cannot feel these scratched but if they are new, I think you can expect a LOT of dives on these seals. Keep them clean and away from flourescent lighting.
They can take quite a beating, so don't worry to much.

Just one caution... use unperfumed talcum powder when donning, and be wary of nails when doffing.

 

[buddhasummer]

You're fine, nothing to worry about.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I've done much worse to seals and still got years out of them without leaking

Sent via

 

[Patoux01]

Thanks

Those fancy expensive suits make me worry, I'm scared of ruining it too soon.

 

[sylverbard01]

...please take a class before you dive it...

 

[OtherHalf]

...please take a class before you dive it...

You missed the part where he said he got his OW card in a drysuit. He's already been trained...

 

[Patoux01]

Indeed, I did my OW using a drysuit, that doesn't cover maintenance etc, you just zip up and jump in (rental).

Now I don't dive it in the same way as I did back then (ie I used it as BCD), it's a bit different as well as this one is trilam where I had 7mm neoprene first, but that's nothing I can't figure out =). I'm alright underwater, I just plain suck when it comes to maintenance and deciding of the state of something.

Cheers

 

[Storker]

I did my OW using a drysuit, that doesn't cover maintenance etc.

Maintenance?

My DS "maintenance" schedule is pretty simple: Rinse outside of suit incl exhaust valve after use in salt water, hang up to dry (inside first, then outside), keep zipper lubed. Change seals if/when they rip. And if it's got latex seals, putting a little unscented baby powder on the seals before donning the suit is a good idea.


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