KITTED-UP
Checking drysuit zips Drysuit gloves still dry?
Begin with examining the outside of the suit from top to bottom for any damage or wear. The seat, knees, elbows and boots too, are all high wear areas. Neck and wrist seals, particularly latex ones, have a habit of deteriorating unseen, and the tiniest nick can result in a tear when donning.
Check seams, stitching and inner tape, then move onto inflation and dump valves, both of which should function without sticking. If they do, it’ s easy enough to unscrew, clean and replace if necessary. Zips should run freely without sticking. Check for any obstruction if they don’ t, then clean and lubricate. If there are any loose‘ hairs’ from the material around the zipper remove to avoid them clogging the teeth.
Leak-tests are easy: simply insert a couple of plastic drink bottles into the wrist seals( or attach dry gloves if fitted) to block them off and a kid’ s football works well for the neck.
Inflate the suit via direct feed and leave it for 30 minutes. If it loses air, then a sponge with washing up liquid or a household plant spray( with soapy water, not insecticide!) deployed on its surface to locate any leaks. If it’ s a small pinhole then good old Aquasure or similar will do the business. For larger holes / cuts, a thorough clean of the immediate area inside and outside the suit, followed by an application of suitable adhesive and a patch both sides is an easy fix for anyone with the confidence to do so.
Fitted boots and socks( used with rock boots) are relatively easy to repair in a similar vein. Boot replacement is a little more involved and perhaps best left to the experts. Dry glove O-rings should be cleaned and lubricated and the gloves themselves replaced if any doubt about their condition. A wetsuit is far more forgiving, but an examination for rips, tears and abrasions and subsequent attention may extend its lifetime with little in the way of outlay.
Undersuits require little upkeep, but examine the areas where the dump and inflation valves are situated for any loose fibres that may prevent their function. Finally, do try both components on together to ensure your layoff hasn’ t resulted in a few unwanted extra kilos and any subsequent reduction in movement.
Buoyancy
Fully inflate your BCD – whether wing, jacket or hybrid – until the overpressure valve kicks in. After a period of 30 minutes if there’ s any loss of air, it should be
Ensure your dump valves aren’ t sticking
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