Drysuit neck seal

Leapy · 08 January 2009, 17:56

Just bought myself a new Crewsaver drysuit...very pleased with it overall but I need some advice and guidance on the neck seal. When I first tried it on I looked like this

- bulging eyes, mouth gasping for air, blue face through lack of oxygen. So, I need to cut it down and the blurb attached to the suit tells you how to do it. Fair enough. The question is, how far do you go before increasing your comfort level leads to potential water leaks?

I know the answer will be difficult to articulate but I'm sure a million of you out there will have done this. Some will have tales of woe, others tales of success.

Words of guidance, as ever, greatly appreciated

chewy · 08 January 2009, 18:00

I personally never cut seals prefer to stretch them.
A rugby ball or similar is ideal for a neck seal, I used full coke bottles on my cuff seals and left em in a week, were fine after that.

Phill

Leapy · 08 January 2009, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

I personally never cut seals prefer to stretch them.
A rugby ball or similar is ideal for a neck seal, I used full coke bottles on my cuff seals and left em in a week, were fine after that.

Phill

The Crewsaver neck seal is latex. Does that stretch and take a set or is it neoprene seals that stretch better?

Chris · 08 January 2009, 18:15

Leapy, I cut mine to fit (Latex) there were rings around the seal to follow and I gradually took it back until I felt comfortable after wearing it for a few minutes. Its not as bad as it looks just take your time over the cuts. Dotn forget you are not using it for diving so it does not need to be as snug as a diving drysuit just snug enough to stop water leaking in.

Chris

adamdavi3s · 08 January 2009, 18:18

Hi Leapy,

I've been using latex neck seals for about 8 years, mostly for kayaking.

While I agree with Chris in principal, I would suggest You want to under-cut (leave extra) by about 2-3 rings as you will find it will loosen up quite quickly. Make sure you get a very clean cut also as little nicks soon turn into rips, even with the rings!

Also invest in some seal saver, I believe typhoon do their own, especially as you will be using it in a saltwater environment I assume!!

ALANT · 08 January 2009, 19:00

Hi Leapy,

Cut the seal above the ridge (ring) until it feels comfy but still tight, I have dived for 20 years and not ripped a neck seal, it usually happens to people donning the suit ie pushing your head through the seal. If you cut until it is tight but comfy you won't have problems with water seeping inn(unless you are out in extreme weather where you tense your neck muscles! you may then get a trickle, there is more chance of getting wet from sweat).

P.s had a great day out last saturday on the Moray Firth (-6) and no dry siut just laods of layers.

Just cut it carefully above the line.

Alan

jyasaki · 08 January 2009, 20:58

Make sure when you cut the seal, make sure you don't leave any jagged edges (they appear when you reposition the scissors and restart the cut, but don't get exactly the same incision line.) The little cut will enlarge into a rip the first time you stretch it (well, maybe not the very first, but you get the idea.)

One option for trimming is to slightly stretch the seal over a tapered metal object (a dive cylinder works well; anything shaped right would, but a dive cylinder won't be damaged by the blade), and use a single-edged razor blade (or similar) to go completely around the seal in one fell swoop.

AlanT; I've found that most people rip the seals as they're stretching them to get them started over the head, but not quite at the point of head insertion. When mine go, it's usually due to hand stretching rather than head stretching.

Many divers here spray the seals down with a soap and water mix before donning and doffing (skin oil does a number on the latex. The soapy water both cleans the seals and lubes them up so they go on and off easier.) I'd suggest patting them dry and dusting heavily with talc or cornstarch prior to storage, as well. I used to wipe mine down with 303 Aerospace, but it didn't seem to make all that much of a difference.

jky

Stoo · 09 January 2009, 02:11

Like these guys said... Do it in small increments with a very sharp pair of scissors. The latex will give a little after a bit, and this can be facilitate as jy said, by stretching the seal over a tank or ball.

biffer · 09 January 2009, 08:36

used to dive with drysuit with latex neck seal, i used to put a little cream round my neck before getting in the suit, it did help

paul holder · 09 January 2009, 14:57

as a diver of 30+ years unless you have a massive bull neck go with chewy way & use bags of talc or jyasaki way & leave for a few weeks. do not use sillicon based products ,suncream,moisturiser ect.soapy water to ease befor remoovel from neck then talc again

Leapy · 09 January 2009, 15:12

I decided to cut it...The suit came with instructions from Crewsaver on how to do it and I cut it a ring at a time until I got to a good tight fit as opposed to a

fit. I'm not exaggerating, as received, it was almost tourniquet tight and after wearing it for 30 seconds I could feel myself going light headed

As I don't intend diving I'm not looking for a water tight seal at 100ft (or whatever you guys go down to)...I'm just looking for a water tight seal if I fall in.

Thanks to all who offered advice