Dry suit sucking in water?

[Swahank]

Hello,
So, I am an experienced diver, but totally new to the drysuit world. I dive in an Aqua Lung Fusion one and have only had 6 dives in it. It has flooded every time and I think from around the neck. I had a leak test done and even replaced the neck. I tried it out again yesterday and yep... it flooded again. I spoke to a guy at the dive site and he mentioned that I should add more weight and keep more air in the dry suit because if there is a slight “squeeze” it could be sucking water in through the neck area. Has anyone ever heard of this possible fix? I am totally frustrated with the whole process at the moment, but would love to be able to dive dry.
I am 5’ 7”, 175 lbs. I only had a pair of sweat pants and a sweat shirt on underneath. I had 20 lbs of weight and was using an aluminum 80.

 

[BRT]

Try bringing the neck seal further down on your neck. I have a buddy that has to do that. 20# isn't much.

 

[Marie13]

Agreed about the neck seal. Happened to me last weekend.

I’ve read that if you’re a guy, seal needs to be below your Adam’s apple.

 

[p_kos]

Nope, a squeeze will not suck water in. There is a problem with the neck seal if there were no leaks in testing and that’s where you are the most “soaked”. What kind of seal is is? Might want to try silicone if you’re having trouble with neoprene or even latex. Silicone tends to conform better without choking with tighter seals.

 

[coldwaterglutton]

Do you have a beard by any chance? That can be a leak issue if your seal is over the beard.

 

[Swahank]

Agreed about the neck seal. Happened to me last weekend.

I’ve read that if you’re a guy, seal needs to be below your Adam’s apple.

Did you add weight and increase the amount of air inside the suit? And did that resolve the issue? I haven’t trimmed the neck and it is a little snug because I was hoping that would keep me from leaking.

 

[Swahank]

Do you have a beard by any chance? That can be a leak issue if your seal is over the beard.

No beard. I couldn’t grow one if I tried.

 

[Swahank]

Nope, a squeeze will not suck water in. There is a problem with the neck seal if there were no leaks in testing and that’s where you are the most “soaked”. What kind of seal is is? Might want to try silicone if you’re having trouble with neoprene or even latex. Silicone tends to conform better without choking with tighter seals.

Latex neck seal. I have been given a thing called flubber to try and see if that might show more about the leak.

 

[Marie13]

Did you add weight and increase the amount of air inside the suit? And did that resolve the issue? I haven’t trimmed the neck and it is a little snug because I was hoping that would keep me from leaking.

No. I run my suit pretty lean. Only enough air for comfort. That’s a weird thing you were told. I’ve never heard of it before.

Just pull your seal down some on your neck. I didn’t get any water down my seal today and I made sure to pull it down some and make sure it wasn’t bunched up.

 

[Still Kicking]

Drysuits all suck - some more, some less but they all suck for multiple and various reasons. I try never to use one locally but when i head to colder climes i have to suck it up.

Based on personal experience, the least sucky suit is compressed/crushed neoprene (less undergarments, a bit of stretch and more streamlined fit) with neoprene seals. But it still sucks LOL.