My Dry Suit Is Wet! - Scuba Tech Tips: S17E15

What's the problem when your wet from neck to waist in a dry suit? Alec shows how anyone can find and fix this common problem.
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[@SummersideDiver]

I really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge and demystifying so many of these tech topics.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Glad to help and hope you learned something new. A

[@montypythonish]

Hi Alec. Sorry but you can not test a drysuit while it's the right way round. Seams are 'live', they are not sealed on the outside but sealed from the inside to stop water getting in. They are sealed with anything from machine hot glue tape to glued down rubber tape. So testing your way, bubbles may come out the seam at the chest, but the suit leaks inside at the groin. The suit needs to be inside out. Seal the neck, then the zip and one wrist with cans, bottles balls or bands, put in about 4 to 6 pints (2 or 3 litres) through the open wrist, then seal that. Inflate the suit through the autodump, until the neck, wrists or in some cases socks start to blow up, then give the suit a good shake & turn, then look for your leaks. Water is pressing on the seams & tape from the correct outside, which is inside, and leaking where you're getting wet. Also tap the autodump to see if it's letting by. If in doubt send it to a professional company, not your mate who will smear every seam with an aqua sealant or a black magic lady. (You know what I mean). Qualifications: I've worked as a drysuit technician in the UK for nearly 8 years. I've tested and repaired over 2500 suits.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

My technique is one of several options but it does work for me as a long time service tech too. Thanks for sharing your experiences and for watching. A

[@jacquespoirier9071]

Usually, basic maintenance solve many of these gremlins excellent topic very good video

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Yes, thanks. A

[@dioncampbell3384]

Thanks Alec , always great advice

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

My pleasure! A

[@alaska4229]

Very interesting! I’m gonna go take a peek at my DUI exhaust valve and see if I can take it apart and give it a quick clean

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Please do! Better to know it's clean and working than getting a soaking. A

[@twoknife]

There are only two types of dry suit divers: Those who have already been wet inside their suit or those who will.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

So true. I love wet suits, even with the 'temporary warmth'. A

[@kevindavison6019]

Did You tube share the algorithm with you? How did you know I was just watching a bunch of Drysuit valve videos recently? There was a problem with the exhaust valve on my wife's suit so I bought the Valve removal tool to check it out. Turns out the rubber port came unglued from the suit and was deteriorated (only 2 years old) so I had to buy a new rubber port and glue it in. Problem solved and she has a dry arm. My suit on the other hand had a leak from the seam and needed professional repair.( again only two years old less than 20 dives on it) also I tend to leak from the neck seal because my head is always on a swivel.🌊🔍

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I don't know about Google but we shot this in April and is the last of the videos we did at Dirty Adventures Scuba (love the name). Guess it's just good timing! A

[@toadou8127]

Who made your suits?

[@kevindavison6019]

@@toadou8127 Custom Measured DUI Cortez suits. I also had issues with the finished product not fitting properly in the arms even though it was custom measured. That being said after a year of diving about 20 drysuit dives I sent it back to the factory and they re-made my arms under warranty.

[@ronbeatty9761]

A leak for me seems to be most often be a failing neck seal. To a new dry suit diver it may be hard to tell a front of the neck seal leak from a chest valve leak.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

As an old dry suit diver from the stone age, I could feel water trickle down my neck. If it's the purge valve, it starts at my chest and goes down. Either way, not fun. A

[@data790]

Greasing works for a whole host of issues with these. I have to grease mine up before the weekend since i had unrestricted air flow after connecting. Luckily my dive buddy does a bit of boxing and was able to punch it to stop the flow. Sadly, it took me a bit longer to get a flow of air into my lungs. Didnt help him shouting, "right in the kisser."

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Sounds like a fun dive, and a fun buddy! A

[@Kebekwoodcraft7375]

Nice info you can use a friend in the suit instead of soda bottles 😅 but don’t spray is face to much with the soapy water 💦 😅 😊

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Aww, what fun is that. A

[@talbotmcinnis]

I’ve been chasing leaks on a pretty old suit for months. Every time I find one I fix it and uncover a new one. Great way to learn drysuit repair though! I’ve almost done them all. The seam leak was the most interesting. No leaking air from in to out, using the air test you described, but water still entered multiple points of the seams while diving. How!? Microscopic one way valves? Increased pressure of water?

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Those microscopic one-way valves are a real nuisance. Manufacturers install them to make you buy a new suit!!! Seriously, it may be simply that your suit is getting old & sending you a message. Dry suits (+ wet suit & BCDs) are made of fabric, like jeans or T-shirts. Eventually they wear out. If your dry suit is more than 10 years old, it may be time to retire it. More than 15 years old? Please be respectful & bury it with honors. A modern dry suit, solid but basic, can be had for less than $2000. That's $200 per year over 10 years. If you make 25 dives a year, meaning an active but modest diver, that's $8 per dive - $8 to be warm & dry. That's less than an air fill!! Stop spending your dive time fixing your suit!! Sell your old dry suit on Kijiji or Marketplace or a dozen other scuba auction sites for $200 & the first year of use is free. I used to give a Trade-In for any piece of scuba gear. Try it at your LDS. Good luck. Alec

[@montypythonish]

Hi Buddy, have you tested your suit inside out? I repair drysuits for a living, it's the only way to test. (See my note to Alec.) Advice available upon request.

[@talbotmcinnis]

@@montypythonishThanks for that. When I first got the suit I did do an air test with the suit inside out, but on subsequent tests got lazy and tried to cut corners. I’ll go back to turning it inside out for all pressure tests from now on. Thanks!

[@justtryit7390]

Neoprene nightmare when I dive. Out of 30 dives with it, 2 have been pretty much dry. 🙄

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

That's an expensive wet suit! A

[@montypythonish]

Is this a new suit or second hand and are the seals sized for you or is it an 'off the peg' suit? I've seen so many people with the wrong size seals and blame the material. Have you got pronounced stringy tendons in your forearms? (Check by clenching your fist and bending your wrist towards yourself). If you have then neo doesn't work too well. I've repaired suits for 8 years and been UK diving for 20 years. I may be able to help. Ping me back if needed.

[@the.mr.beacher]

Is silicone grease ok if people are on higher O2 concentrations?

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Only the recommended lube by the manufacturer is allowed. Anything above 21% O2 and they require O2 compatible lube, no substitutions or there can be big problems. A

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

It's a damp suit on the best of days usually it's the neck or wrist seals not fitting right

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

As long as your not chilled by the end of the dive so maybe try a different neck seal make or less neck turning. A

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter ha ha ha

[@pacificcoast101]

I always say a drysuit is just a theory.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I say its just a suggestion, maybe dry, maybe wet, never know. A