Shrinking a latex neck seal

[JamesT]

Is there a simple way to get about half an inch out of a latex neck seal? I noticed a lot of air escaping from my neck whenever I bent my head down too far to look at anything, and I've never had that happen with any other suit I've used.
I hope to have some solution by the weekend, or it's gonna be a cold camping trip. Thanks in advance!

 

[mikswi]

Are you using a NEW suit? Im curious because a NEW suit needs to be trimmed to ensure a proper fit.

If its a used suit, well..........I know of no way to make it "grow" again. Sorry, im sure its not what you wanted to hear.

 

[JeffG]

Is there a simple way to get about half an inch out of a latex neck seal? I noticed a lot of air escaping from my neck whenever I bent my head down too far to look at anything, and I've never had that happen with any other suit I've used.
I hope to have some solution by the weekend, or it's gonna be a cold camping trip. Thanks in advance!

New seal...sorry...but been there, done that. Spent a week at Gods Pocket a week ago with the exact problem. Solved when I had a new seal installed.

 

[JamesT]

Thanks anyways... maybe my neck will get a little bigger in the next few days.

 

[rmediver2002]

You can try rolling the seal inward (not likely to work over the course of a dive) but a new seal is by far the best and surest bet on this one...

Jeff Lane

 

[TTSkipper]

Totally thinking outside the box and I have no idea if this will work or totally F up the seal so please take everything I have written below at face value as an untested idea.

How about gluing a small pleat in the seal with Aquaseal or a similar glue? Probably not a great long term solution, but if you need it for a trip it may be acceptable until you can get back and get it fixed properly.

I have not tried this and it is just a crazy idea I had when I was reading this thread, so I have no idea at all if this is even a realistic solution.

TTSkipper

 

[Curt Bowen]

Is there a simple way to get about half an inch out of a latex neck seal? I noticed a lot of air escaping from my neck whenever I bent my head down too far to look at anything, and I've never had that happen with any other suit I've used.
I hope to have some solution by the weekend, or it's gonna be a cold camping trip. Thanks in advance!

Send it in for a new neck seal, thats your only option.

 

[String]

Yep definately a new seal. Seals too small can be cut bigger, seals too bit cant really have anything done with them. Neoprene you can glue/stitch a fold but not possible with latex.

If you can get the seal its only an overnight glue dry job so could be done before the weekend.

 

[jlyle]

Been there, done that! I trimmed a new seal a tad too much and the neck was burping at the surface, letting in a little water. I sent it in for a new neck seal.

If the problem is bad and you absolutely have to go diving, you may be able to locate a cheater: a broad latex or neoprene band that fits around your neck. This may provide enough of a seal for you to use the suit. The one and only time I saw this done was with a rental drysuit...it leaked anyway.

Replace the neck seal. And, while you're at it, look at the new DUI zip seals.

 

[Boogie711]

Are you using your drysuit for bouyancy control?

If so, you're probably running around with a larger than necessary 'air bubble' in your suit which is just looking for a place to escape. If you go vertical in the water column, it's going to go to the highest point (your neck) and place a lot of internal pressure against a fragile skin/latex connection.