Dry Gloves?

[SteveO]

Hey all, been lurking here for a while so I guess nows the time to post.

I recently purchased a dry suit with dry gloves (Diving Concepts dry glove and wrist ring system). I know that the rings present a possible catch point and that the gloves will reduce tactile feel. Bare hands are best for Florida caves, but I'm thinking of doing some Missouri cave diving soon. I removed one of the rings and the wrist seal pretty much formed the shape of the ring, so I can't use the seal without the rings/dry gloves. I have to send the suit in to get bigger socks put on anyways, so I'm wondering if I should put new seals on, and just go with seals only.

My question is: what's the opinion of dry gloves in caves - particularlly in the cold caves (Cannonball, et. al)? Are they really bad, o.k., or help prevent your hand from going numb after a significant bottom time? :?:

Thanks all!

Steve

[Mike]

I have zip seal dry gloves in my DUI but never use them for cave diving, too hard to use reels, find dump valve cord, etc.
In Tn. caves some people use 2 - 3 mil gloves with the finger tips cut out.
I don't use gloves at all when caving here or Fla.
Cave water here is around 58 degrees, you get use to it after a couple of min.

[zdiver]

I used dry gloves when I did my first dives in Missouri, soon changed to fingerless wet gloves. I used gloves with rings and no equalization. I was quite a relief when I popped a glove doing the pull and glide in the lower tunnel of Roubidoux. I also pooped one getting it caught in a stage clip. The rings were always in the way when trying to handle stages. If you use some form of equalization and the glove fails you get fully wet, not just a wet hand.

Marvin

I also pooped one getting it caught in a stage clip.

I don't think you're wearing it right.

[FW]

You do need dry gloves if the water temp is low enough, but Missouri isn't that cold. If you do need dry gloves, you also need thicker line, so you can feel it, and probably special reels with larger handle, and crank knob.

The only places I know of that dry gloves are routinely used are north of 40 deg latitude.

[SteveO]

Thanks all, for the replies. The gloves will come off and I'll get new seals.

Thanks
Steve