Venting dry suit fact or myth.

[Maximus]

Or to answer the bloody question MYTH!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Or to answer the bloody question MYTH!

But lots of air in your suit will screw up your ability to manoeuvre, make it harder for your life jacket to turn you the right way up and at the very least give you something extra to worry about when you've just exited the boat - so its probably as well to vent it as best you can anyway...

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by Polwart

so its probably as well to vent it as best you can anyway...

Water will enter when/if it vents later if you take a swim. If you vent too much you'll be colder however.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by captnjack

Water will enter when/if it vents later if you take a swim.

is that an argument for or against venting before going afloat? sounds like one for doing it before you get in the boat...

If you vent too much you'll be colder however.

Can you really squeeze that much air out your suit?

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Polwart

is that an argument for or against venting before going afloat? sounds like one for doing it before you get in the boat...

Can you really squeeze that much air out your suit?

Yes, if you're not wearing a lot of padding underneath.

I've had creases in mine when I've vented it while up to my neck in water.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I've had creases in mine when I've vented it while up to my neck in water.

That is called drysuit squeeze, and is familiar to any drysuit wearing diver. It is one of the reasons why diving drysuits have an inflation valve, to put air in to prevent squeeze.
7 to go.

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by Polwart

is that an argument for or against venting before going afloat? sounds like one for doing it before you get in the boat...

Can you really squeeze that much air out your suit?

I would just vent some on the surface by bending over and holding the neck seal open.

If you waded into the water at the launch ramp and burped the gas out the neck, you'd be much more shrink wrapped from the water pressure. Your undergraments (fleece?) will be much less lofted and insulate less.

[Zodiac Spindrift]

I recall many years ago a sailing colleague wearing a dry suit for the first time, didn't vent it and when he ended up in the drink following a capsize, resembled the Michelin Man. After much sniggering on the safety boat we went to his aid as he floated almost above the water with legs and arms wide apart and a bust that would put Dolly Parton to shame.

[m chappelow]

if you vent too much though it can then lead to weeping or water ingress through worn or age hardened zip seals ,most dry suits work better with a bit of positive pressure so you dont want all the air out ,

with regards to suit squeeze you can get it just wading or standing in water on your lower legs especially with the folds of membrane type suits and it can be uncomfortable for long periods leaving wheal marks on the skin especialy if wearing jeans .

as was said earlier (Capt jack) best way is to squat and stick a finger in the neck seal.