latex and neoprene ruining diving

[vickielewis]

I am allergic to neoprene and latex – a really bad allergy if you love diving. I am fine diving with a skin only in the summer (except in the springs), however fall and winter are just around the corner. Does anyone know of a company or suit that does not have either neoprene or latex? A dry suit will not do it since each of the seals are latex. Thanks for your help.

 

[MeiLing]

What about wearing a skin under the neoprene or latex????

 

[Rob9000]

If a skin under a wet suit doesn't work, then how about a dry suit with dry gloves, then you wear vinyl gloves or cloth glove liners underneath....then the problem is the neck seal, but maybe wrap a piece of vinyl around your neck under the seal...kind of like the Apollo Bio-Seal (which I understand is bad for latex seals). Then for the hood...either don't wear one (not sure how cold your waters are) or wear a summer hood skin thing under a beanie hood...or under a regular hood, and just cut it back so it complately covers the hood skin thing.

 

[PrincessOfPower]

I am allergic to neoprene and latex – a really bad allergy if you love diving. I am fine diving with a skin only in the summer (except in the springs), however fall and winter are just around the corner. Does anyone know of a company or suit that does not have either neoprene or latex? A dry suit will not do it since each of the seals are latex. Thanks for your help.

I have a latex allergy and I am sensitive to the coating they put on new neoprene, so I feel your pain. Is your allergy really to neoprene or to the coating on it? You could find out by trying on a well used drysuit with neopene seals at some dive shop. Bioseals are great, and a good option that could get you into a drysuit, irregardless of seal material. Good luck!

 

[GrandpaScuba]

I am allergic to neoprene and latex...

Oooh, that sucks! :11:

Does anyone know of a company or suit that does not have either neoprene or latex? A dry suit will not do it since each of the seals are latex. Thanks for your help.

You could get a JIM Suit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JIM_suit :14:

It will be interesting what gets suggested. I do not know of any recreational exposure suit capable of cold water diving that doesn't have neoprene or latex.

You may have to restrict your diving to locations with a water temp above 80. (Gee, maybe I should become alergic to neoprene and latex. )

 

[Hemlon]

I am allergic to neoprene and latex – a really bad allergy if you love diving. I am fine diving with a skin only in the summer (except in the springs), however fall and winter are just around the corner. Does anyone know of a company or suit that does not have either neoprene or latex? A dry suit will not do it since each of the seals are latex. Thanks for your help.

That sounds like quite a problem. I can't think of a solution. Keep us updated on your quest!