Thoughts on my drysuit leak

[fire_diver]

OK, a couple days ago I made my first dive with my DC gloves installed on my drysuit. I have never had a leak in this drysuit until this dive. As soon as I got down about 6 feet underwater I noticed my left hand was wet. Then I noticed the water was trickling in. Not a wet spot, it was filling my glove. So I disgustedly ended my dive before it began and headed back home.

I thought my latex seal had a hole. I pulled the zip seal and found no problem. I inspected the DC mounting and O-ring and found no problem. I checked the glove and found no problem. I re-assembled everything, pressurized my suit and sprayed it down with soapy water. I couldn't find a single bubble forming anywhere. I even checked the entire arm and the exhaust valve. Went ahead and checked the whole suit, and found not a single bubble forming anywhere.

So, what are your thoughts on this leak? foriegn material in the mount? improper attachment?

I'm at a loss, but I hope to get into a pool very soon to double check.

 

[Rainer]

If it isn't leaking on subsequent test, you probably didn't mount the glove correctly the first time you used it.

 

[SDAnderson]

If it isn't leaking on subsequent test, you probably didn't mount the glove correctly the first time you used it.

+1 on that.

 

[fire_diver]

While I can't rule that out, I don't see how to screw it up. It just "pops" on. If its not "on" it would come off pretty easy wouldn't it?

 

[Rainer]

Lol, you *clearly* haven't used dry gloves for very long!

Yes, you can screw it up.

Tips to help:

(1) Keep the glove o-ring lubed (my wife uses DC rings- she lubes the glove side o-ring about once a month; I use ST rings- I lick the glove side o-ring every time I mount them to the suit)
(2) Check the glove o-ring for any debris (this is pretty easy when you lick it!)
(3) Apply even, slow pressure when mounting the glove (the DC ones make a distinct "click" when they mount correctly; for the [old] ST ones, you just want to work each side on a bit at a time, so that you don't slip the o-ring out of its groove)
(4) Once you mount the gloves, dunk your hands in a rinse bucket (if boat diving) or enter slowly (from shore); you can often catch a mis-mounted glove and fix it at the surface

My wife has several hundred dives on her DC rings. She's had one flood: on her first dive.

 

[fire_diver]

OK, thanks for the tips. I guess I'll add "lick my gloves" to my gear up procedure.

 

[Rainer]

Silicone works just fine on the DC ones.

 

[Crush]

(3) Apply even, slow pressure when mounting the glove (the DC ones make a distinct "click" when they mount correctly; for the [old] ST ones, you just want to work each side on a bit at a time, so that you don't slip the o-ring out of its groove)

I refer to it as a "thunk" but the idea is the same - a distinct, repeatable sound. Something squishy and imprecise means you probably need more lube. Note that you only need a small amount of lubricant - remove the ring, wipe it dry on a lint-free cloth, clean the groove with a Q-tip, and re-apply just enough Si lube to get the surface shiny. Works like a charm.