Adding Valves to Drysuit?

[tomcatbubba]

Hi all - I hadn't ever given any though to being able to add exhaust and intake valves to an existing drysuit but after reading a post by DRIS I am now thinking about it.

I have a military drysuit that I used when flying (I'm an ex F-14 and F/A-18 pilot and we used to fly over pretty cold water thus a drysuit was often mandatory). Of course, when flying or once in the water there was no use for a valve(s), but would it be feasible to add valves to make it scuba ready? It is a really heavy duty suit with a nice heavy military grade zipper so I would love to use it if possible.

Thanks!

 

[tbone1004]

send it to DRiS and have them punch a few holes and put the valves in if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself. Steve Gamble is another good source if you go down to Florida at all. At this point you probably need new seals as well so sending it off is probably a good idea.

 

[tomcatbubba]

Excellent thanks tbone!

 

[tbone1004]

I'd just call Mike, he'll make sure you get hooked up and I'm sure he'd love to brag about retrofitting a military drysuit.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

There's a good chance that Mike might run around the shop wearing it while throwing high fives, yelling "Maverick, you and Goose get your butts up to Viper's office...Now!" and listening to Kenny Loggins! I kid, I kid....but seriously.

 

[tbone1004]

Aaron, don't lie, it'll be the next video you guys post...... It's product testing! Had to make sure there were no leaks

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

Well, while you mention it we do have a new stock of GoPro's that could use some product testing also....killing 2 birds with 1 stone. :cool2:

 

[tomcatbubba]

As long as Mike has undergarments on I'm OK with the Top Gun routine....

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

Tomcat, the weather's cooling down so I don't see that being an issue.....summertime, well that's another story.

 

[RJP]

Hi all - I hadn't ever given any though to being able to add exhaust and intake valves to an existing drysuit but after reading a post by DRIS I am now thinking about it.

I have a military drysuit that I used when flying (I'm an ex F-14 and F/A-18 pilot and we used to fly over pretty cold water thus a drysuit was often mandatory). Of course, when flying or once in the water there was no use for a valve(s), but would it be feasible to add valves to make it scuba ready? It is a really heavy duty suit with a nice heavy military grade zipper so I would love to use it if possible.

Thanks!

I'll bet you a nickle it's no good at depth. Doesn't take much to stay dry at the surface. Different story at 25ft, 50ft, 75ft, 100ft, etc.