Dry Suit Diving Tips

[H2Andy]

i have just gotten my first dry suit (a used DUI TLS350 with Divinc Concepts
Thinsulate Extreme undergarment), and also took a great into. class with
our own GDI.

i was wondering, though, what tips and tricks there are for the new dy diver
from the pros, things to watch out for, etc.

thanks in advance!

 

[Gary D.]

i have just gotten my first dry suit (a used DUI TLS350 with Divinc Concepts
Thinsulate Extreme undergarment), and also took a great into. class with
our own GDI.

i was wondering, though, what tips and tricks there are for the new dy diver
from the pros, things to watch out for, etc.

thanks in advance!

Keep it well lubed.
Take good vare of the zipper.
Keep the air in.
Keep the water out.

Don't expect your dives to bee 100% dry. That is an impossible task. When you get warm on one side and cold on the other you will get a little wet. It's not a leak, just condination.

Store it good and dry. The TLS dries very fast so thats easy.

Have fun with it and enjoy the comfort.

But remember to un-do the crotch strap first when your getting out of it. Another

Gary D.

 

[ScubaFreak]

Hey Andy, get in touch with Tech Admin or Net Doc.
I wrote an article on drysuit diving you might find of some benefit. But it hasn't been posted on the site yet.

SF

 

[matt_unique]

i have just gotten my first dry suit (a used DUI TLS350 with Divinc Concepts
Thinsulate Extreme undergarment), and also took a great into. class with
our own GDI.

i was wondering, though, what tips and tricks there are for the new dy diver
from the pros, things to watch out for, etc.

thanks in advance!

Did you say above you completed a dry suit class?

When I took my dry suit class I never cared for the inflator hose connect/disconnect drills. At the time I was thinking how rarely I would ever have to do this. Turned out to be something extremely important! Make sure you can connect and disconnect your dry suit hose, by yourself, above and below the surface.

Also make sure you do not confuse opening your drysuit vent with unscrewing the valve from your suit. Once during a very cold dive (cold hands) I thought my vent had an awful lot of turns in her - fortunately I realized in time I had been a bit aggressive on the vent twist and I was unscrewing the actual valve. I tightened the valve back in without incident. It was a learning experience for me to make sure my valves are in tight and I don't twist too hard on the vent.

As others said above - wax your zipper frequently. Having replaced the zipper on my suit I now wax it every other dive. If you see any sort of fraying, take a lighter to cinge them clean.

--Matt

 

[H2Andy]

Make sure you can connect and disconnect your dry suit hose, by yourself, above and below the surface.

let's just say that my instructor (GDI) has something of a malevolent streak
in him

 

[H2Andy]

As others said above - wax your zipper frequently. Having
replaced the zipper on my suit I now wax it every other dive. If you see any sort of
fraying, take a lighter to cinge them clean.

--Matt

what sort of fraying do you mean? (assume i'm clueless, and you'll be right)

 

[Green_Manelishi]

i have just gotten my first dry suit (a used DUI TLS350 with Divinc Concepts
Thinsulate Extreme undergarment), and also took a great into. class with
our own GDI.

i was wondering, though, what tips and tricks there are for the new dy diver
from the pros, things to watch out for, etc.

thanks in advance!

1) treat the zipper with respect
2) always make certain the zipper is fully closed before you enter the water
3) always rinse, well, the OP valve on the suit
4) stay "ahead of the curve" during ascent

 

[String]

When nature calls, remember its NOT a wetsuit.

Oh, and you generally stay drier if you make damn sure the zip is closed before jumping in, never trust a buddy or someone to do it up without checking

 

[Dryglove]

Most important tip i can give is to make sure your p-valve hose isn't kinked

 

[Green_Manelishi]

what sort of fraying do you mean? (assume i'm clueless, and you'll be right)

Around the zipper will "appear" loose pieces of thread. They need to be burned off before they are zipped into the zipper-teeth and cause a problem. The fastest method I've ever seen for buring them off quickly and completely is to use a propane torch; the flame is very hot and takes only a brief pass. A match is not anywhere near as hot.