Re: [Paddlewise] Is Some Rethinking on Drysuits, Wetsuits In Order?

In a message dated 11/30/00 11:16:42 AM, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes:
<<1.  Sea Kayaker published an article earlier on dry suits in which I
took issue with some of the author's comments.  One was regarding use of
a neck ring to relieve some of the pressure of the neck gasket.  In my
letter which SK published I commented on that (and also the idea of
leaving the drysuit off the top of your body while paddling in calm
conditions...but that is a separate issue).  The author replied that
even with the neck ring on you would only get a few ounces of water into
the suit if you capsize and roll back up.>>

One of the discussions we've had down here is just how tight the neck needs 
to be in a dry top/suit. I kind of subscribe to the idea that I don't need to 
always warn someone that I'm about to put it on and to have a pair of 
scissors handy just in case.
    The thought is that the water itself will assist in sealing the gasket 
against the skin. I have done a good amount of swimming in my drysuit and 
never got the impression I was getting any leaking, no feeling any cold. 
    I can't say if it leaks because mine is a coated drysuit and I sweat a 
great deal in it when I first put it on so who knows where the moisture comes 
from. I've had times when I literally pulled the ankle gaskets away from my 
skin and had sweat run out of the leg. With that amount of moisture in the 
thing anyway, what is a dribble of water more? I just can't see it making a 
real difference in the amount of heat the body has to produce to maintain 
itself in the water. But I can see the substantial advantage of not being 
strangled.

<< 2.  Greg Stamer in answering some of my questions regarding the tuliaq,
nightshirt looking Greenland neoprene garment, referred to something
that the editor of SK wrote.  In brief, in a capsize he found that the
tuliaq captured air underneath and that by tucking the open bottom hem
in between his legs he significantly limited the amount of water flushing
in and out.  In summary, the tuliaq, while open at the bottom and not
tight fitting, gave a surprising amount of warmth. >> 
<<A.  First wetsuits: a given in neoprene wet suits is that you must have 
them extraordinarily tight or otherwise they won't work.>>

    The function of the two garments is very different. What keeps one warm 
in the wetsuit is the water trapped between the skin and suit that has been 
warmed by the body heat. Therefore the need for it to be tight, but not super 
tight. To some degree the neoprene keeps so much flushing of cold water from 
happening. The tuliaq sounds more like a diving bell that has air trapped at 
the top. The pressure of the air would keep water out, thereby keeping 
flushing from happening.
    The major drawback that I can see to the tuliaq is that you can't swim in 
it without loosing all or most of the air thereby necessitating more loss of 
body heat to warm the water inside the garment, which I'd think would be a 
big problem, beyond just the effort of swimming in something that is around 
your legs.

Joan Spinner
who has never even seen
a tuliaq except on a hanger

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