First Drysuit Experience - Not so dry

[inkdiver]

My brand spankin' new Santi dry suit came in this week, and I was excited for my first opportunity to dive dry. Let's just say it wasn't that much different from my wet suit.

At first,, things were going along swimmingly. Got into the water, didn't feel a rush of water in the suit, all geared up and ready to go. Practiced filling the suit with air, into the feet and then getting it out to prevent runaway ascents.

Then the first thing went a little wrong. I had my p-valve all hooked up and ready to go. Apparently, the plumbing spring a leak, more like blew a gasket, and there was a warm sensation below the waist. Fortunately, I had decided to do the test drive in a pair of sweats, so I didn't impact my new undergarment.

Oh well, just keep going. So I descend on one of my practice runs and don't add any air to the suit. I am getting squeezed and having a hard time breathing, almost gagging on my reg, so I reach up to adjust the neck seal as it feels like it is strangling me. Woooosh, in rushes a decent amount of water, and I feel it soaking into my chest and arms. I guess, it would have been a better idea to just add air to the suit to stop the squeeze.

So now, I'm wet from head to mid chest and from waist to toe, and decide that maybe I've had enough for the first time. On the plus side, the guy I was with said that I looked pretty in control, trim looked good, etc. And we all know, it's not how you feel, it's how you look

[LiteHedded]

My brand spankin' new Santi dry suit came in this week, and I was excited for my first opportunity to dive dry. Let's just say it wasn't that much different from my wet suit.

At first,, things were going along swimmingly. Got into the water, didn't feel a rush of water in the suit, all geared up and ready to go. Practiced filling the suit with air, into the feet and then getting it out to prevent runaway ascents.

Then the first thing went a little wrong. I had my p-valve all hooked up and ready to go. Apparently, the plumbing spring a leak, more like blew a gasket, and there was a warm sensation below the waist. Fortunately, I had decided to do the test drive in a pair of sweats, so I didn't impact my new undergarment.

Oh well, just keep going. So I descend on one of my practice runs and don't add any air to the suit. I am getting squeezed and having a hard time breathing, almost gagging on my reg, so I reach up to adjust the neck seal as it feels like it is strangling me. Woooosh, in rushes a decent amount of water, and I feel it soaking into my chest and arms. I guess, it would have been a better idea to just add air to the suit to stop the squeeze.

So now, I'm wet from head to mid chest and from waist to toe, and decide that maybe I've had enough for the first time. On the plus side, the guy I was with said that I looked pretty in control, trim looked good, etc. And we all know, it's not how you feel, it's how you look

u peed on yourself
rofl!

[giffmann]

I only HOPE that my first drysuit experience next week goes better than this!

[cavediver27]

Based on your post I assume this is your first dry suit. At least now you know that adding air is the correct way to eliminate squeeze and pulling on a neck seal is the "correct" way to flood the suit.

[Sludge]

things were going along swimmingly.

My dives always go swimmingly. Unless I'm scootering.

[MORGAN]

My dives always go swimmingly. Unless I'm scootering.

Then they go scooteringly?

Mike

[guru caver]

My brand spankin' new Santi dry suit came in this week, and I was excited for my first opportunity to dive dry. Let's just say it wasn't that much different from my wet suit.

At first,, things were going along swimmingly. Got into the water, didn't feel a rush of water in the suit, all geared up and ready to go. Practiced filling the suit with air, into the feet and then getting it out to prevent runaway ascents.

Then the first thing went a little wrong. I had my p-valve all hooked up and ready to go. Apparently, the plumbing spring a leak, more like blew a gasket, and there was a warm sensation below the waist. Fortunately, I had decided to do the test drive in a pair of sweats, so I didn't impact my new undergarment.

Oh well, just keep going. So I descend on one of my practice runs and don't add any air to the suit. I am getting squeezed and having a hard time breathing, almost gagging on my reg, so I reach up to adjust the neck seal as it feels like it is strangling me. Woooosh, in rushes a decent amount of water, and I feel it soaking into my chest and arms. I guess, it would have been a better idea to just add air to the suit to stop the squeeze.

So now, I'm wet from head to mid chest and from waist to toe, and decide that maybe I've had enough for the first time. On the plus side, the guy I was with said that I looked pretty in control, trim looked good, etc. And we all know, it's not how you feel, it's how you look

Just out of curiosity...what happened to your pee valve and who installed it?
You may want to consider rigging the hose to go into your pocket so when you pee you can warm your hands!!

[inkdiver]

Just out of curiosity...what happened to your pee valve and who installed it?
You may want to consider rigging the hose to go into your pocket so when you pee you can warm your hands!!

The p-valve was fine, the condom cath was not so fine. not enough stick and it popped off.

[curtschu]

The p-valve was fine, the condom cath was not so fine. not enough stick and it popped off.

I was curios too thanks for relating how do you resolve this ? I seem to have a simular issue once I pee once it seems to want to slip off the next time Anyone want to write pee valve 101?

[Me]

Oh boy, this is so tempting to reply to, but I'll be good!