How dry is a dry suit?

[emoreira]

I've finished my Dry Suit SSI course. We had a first practice inmersion in a deep tank facility. Last week I did my dry suit ckeckout (2 inmersions) in open sea.
The dry suit I've used in the deep tank practice was a little deteriorated owing to heavy use and was not exactly of the size I need. the result was that I finished the dive wet. Water came into via the neck collar, exaust valve and some other small pinholes.

In the open sea check-out, the dry suit was not new, but in good shape. However I found out some water coming in via the left leg and also via the exaust valve.

Of course, in both cases the dry suit was rented.

I would like to know which is your experience. If it's "normal" some leakage.
The pics attached show the white salt stains in my cloths that show where they were wet.

 

[Blackwood]

The dryness of mine depends on how much I sweat between the time I suit up and the time I splash. Since most of my dives are beach dives, this can pose a problem when the water is cold and the surface isn't.

As seals get old, they deteriorate, and you are bound to get some leakage. Same goes for the seams. Both should be serviced as often as necessary.

Also, if you have hair between your seals and your skin, you can let water in.

 

[Teamcasa]

A properly fitted, well maintained dry suit will not leak anywhere. The only caveat is that depending on how much you sweat, the inside of the suit may collect condensation and have a slight dampness but overall, dry suits are indeed dry.

It sounds like you just used a well worn rental suit that should be named a damp suit. No worries however, once you get your own, trim the seals properly and maintain it, it will be dry.

 

[Anti-Hero]

Don't be discouraged. My first DS dive was in a rental and it was literally half full when I exited the water. Now that I own my own much better quality dry suit, it has functioned flawlessly for quite some time.

On my last dive I noticed a hole at the base of the wrist seal where the latex had deteriorated. When I stretched the seal out I could see skin. I chose to dive anyway and when I completed the dive I was still completely dry.

 

[divestoclimb]

The only reason I'm not usually dry after a dive is because I have very small wrists and the tendons pop out when I grab things. I had one dive where I was hanging on an anchorline in a mild current and I could feel the water rushing in! I usually end a dive with the wrists of my undergarments soaked enough that I can wring them out. If the water is cold enough for dry gloves I don't have to worry about it, though.

 

[Diver0001]

Oh I don't know about that, Dave. I think the term "dry" suit is a misnomer. At best they "tend" to be mostly dry. Where I usually get water in the suit is via the wrist seals. When I hold on to things a little channel opens up in teh tendons on my wrist and water seeps in. If I do anything interesting during a dive my forearms get wet.

At least one manufacturer doesn't try to decieve you.... DUI Dry Until Immersed

R..

 

[BabyDuck]

from what i can tell, a totally and completely dry drysuit dive is probably a red-banner day, but neither are you usually wringing wet.

hope for mostly dry-ish and take good care of your suit.

 

[Teamcasa]

Oh I don't know about that, Dave. I think the term "dry" suit is a misnomer. At best they "tend" to be mostly dry. Where I usually get water in the suit is via the wrist seals. When I hold on to things a little channel opens up in teh tendons on my wrist and water seeps in. If I do anything interesting during a dive my forearms get wet.

At least one manufacturer doesn't try to decieve you.... DUI Dry Until Immersed

R..

You may be right but my Whites Catalyst is dry except for the condensation! (Unless I poke a hole in it!)

 

[dannobee]

Sounds like a few folks here haven't had a proper fitting drysuit.

They should be DRY, as in no wetness after diving. But Dave has it right about the perspiration. If I'm standing around in the sun, or kicking like crazy underwater, there will be some moisture in the suit, but on the vast majority of dives, I'm absolutely dry. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I doubt it. I have about 500 drysuit dives in a few different suits, and the results have all been similar.


.

 

[evil_xander]

The only reason I'm not usually dry after a dive is because I have very small wrists and the tendons pop out when I grab things. I had one dive where I was hanging on an anchorline in a mild current and I could feel the water rushing in! I usually end a dive with the wrists of my undergarments soaked enough that I can wring them out. If the water is cold enough for dry gloves I don't have to worry about it, though.

Have the same problem, things just got worse after I lost some weight... I sent the suit to have the wrist seals replaced one size smaller then stock size fitting and they are perfect now.