My wife recently got the USIA Aqua pro Plus dry suit, with USIA's supposedly new and improved valves. Immediately with her first few dives the inflator button would sort of stick. The suit would continue to inflate for 1-2 seconds after she released it, then it would stop. After 4 dives, we took it back to our LDS and they took it apart and lloked at it. They said there seemed to be some "crud" in the mechanism, and that the spring seemed weak. They cleaned it up, and either replaced or adjusted the spring and sent her on her way. Personally i questioned the "crud' comment because my wife has excellent bouyancy control, and never so much as touches a fin to the ground let alone laying on her chest where sand or something could have gotten in the vlave.
Anyways, last week- with less than 20 dives on the suit, she finds herself in an uncontrolled ascent with a stuck inflator valve. This time it wouldn't even release on the surface. She looked like a big black marshmellow, and had to get her buddy to disconnect the inflator hose. Luckily this occurred at the end of the dive, in only 17 ft of water, and the entire dive had been under 40ft, there wasn't too much issuse over the blown safety stop.
We took the suit back to the LDS, and this time they changed the valve out, with a brand new but older model USIA inflator, and there have been no problems. Personally, I think the new valves have a design flaw. The inflator button itself has very thin sides (reminds me of a quarter) It is able to pivot around and depress at an angle, and I think this is what is allowing it to bind up. The LDS admitted hers, was the first suit they had sold with this valve, so there was no history on it. Anyone else tried the new valves?
Anyways, last week- with less than 20 dives on the suit, she finds herself in an uncontrolled ascent with a stuck inflator valve. This time it wouldn't even release on the surface. She looked like a big black marshmellow, and had to get her buddy to disconnect the inflator hose. Luckily this occurred at the end of the dive, in only 17 ft of water, and the entire dive had been under 40ft, there wasn't too much issuse over the blown safety stop.
We took the suit back to the LDS, and this time they changed the valve out, with a brand new but older model USIA inflator, and there have been no problems. Personally, I think the new valves have a design flaw. The inflator button itself has very thin sides (reminds me of a quarter) It is able to pivot around and depress at an angle, and I think this is what is allowing it to bind up. The LDS admitted hers, was the first suit they had sold with this valve, so there was no history on it. Anyone else tried the new valves?
. It is very comfortable and durable. Does anyone have any experience with the rock boots that USIA carries or the super stretch thermals? I have been using a pair of Converse canvas high tops and have worked great but they are starting to wear out now. 
