I picked up a drysuit recently and would like to start using it. The ankle and wrist gaskets are fine, but the neck gasket is like a hand continually at my throat. I can't stand to have it on for more than ten seconds. I tried putting a large gallon jar inside the gasket to stretch it out, but that didn't seem to have much effect. So I think I'm going to have to trim it so as to reduce the strangulation effect. I would appreciate any advice on how to do this, and on what comfort level it is reasonable to achieve, without compromising the dryness of the suit. Thanks. jim holman *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jim: I would be a bit more patient with the jar and not trim the gasket. What size jar are you using? The gasket will stretch. Put a liberal amount of 303 on the gasket as well. Jim Holman wrote: I picked up a drysuit recently and would like to start using it. The ankle and wrist gaskets are fine, but the neck gasket is like a hand continually at my throat. I can't stand to have it on for more than ten seconds. I tried putting a large gallon jar inside the gasket to stretch it out, but that didn't seem to have much effect. So I think I'm going to have to trim it so as to reduce the strangulation effect. I would appreciate any advice on how to do this, and on what comfort level it is reasonable to achieve, without compromising the dryness of the suit. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Robert C. Cline wrote: > Jim: > > I would be a bit more patient with the jar and not trim the gasket. What > size jar are you using? The gasket will stretch. Put a liberal amount of > 303 on the gasket as well. Be patient, and adjust it upand down on your neck to find the right place. I find that is critical even with my broken-in gasket. GaryJ -- Director, Family Canoeing Centre Recreational canoeing courses for the whole family. +--------------------------------+ | /"\ | | \ / | | X ASCII RIBBON CAMPAIGN | | / \ AGAINST HTML MAIL & NEWS | +--------------------------------+ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jolie writes: I have found that some people just DON'T like wearing things around their neck, not even a turtleneck shirt. If you are a member of this group, you'll just have to grit your teeth and get used to it. --------------------------- I am a member of the group that doesn't like compression of the windpipe and carotid arteries. I mean, it's like it's killing me, and I don't mean that in a figurative sense. If I wore it for a couple of minutes, I don't think I would be conscious. I'll get some of the 303 lubricant, and see if that helps at all. jim h *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jim said: I am a member of the group that doesn't like compression of the windpipe and carotid arteries. I mean, it's like it's killing me, and I don't mean that in a figurative sense. If I wore it for a couple of minutes, I don't think I would be conscious. I'll get some of the 303 lubricant, and see if that helps at all. jim h ================================================================== My first go around with a drysuit neck gasket I listened to all the advice, cautions, etc. and after a year or so of streching it over a large PVC fitting it stretched to the point of just being uncomfortable. The gaskets finally wore out and I sent the suit back to get some alterations and new gaskets. This time after getting it back I immediately started cutting rings off it till it felt tight but reasonably comfortable. It's now three years later, a LOT of hard use, and I'm still pleased with the result. I'm starting to get some pinhole leaks in the fabric but the gaskets still seal perfectly. Don't cut much off at a time, but don't hesitate to trim it till it lets you breath:) Rob. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
We have dry tops, not suits, but had the same problem. My wife was able to get a good fit after stretching hers, both in wrists and neck. I wasn't, so after a few days of stretching I resorted to cutting. For the wrists I stretched them over a plastic glass before cutting. For the neck I stretched it over a ---- can't remember ----- something neck sized. Stretching was gentle, just enough to keep the gasket from wrinkling. I used a new razor blade and cut smoothly to avoid jaggies as much as possible. I used the lines on the gaskets to guide my cutting, and only removed a very little at a time. Removing material has a double effect because it reduces the amount of elastic, and increases the inside diameter at the same time. The difference between fitting and not fitting was intuitively obvious. Before cutting, I felt I was being strangled - not good. After cutting it is slightly uncomfortable (after getting used to it), but I don't get that panicky feeling. You'll know the difference. Steve Brown -----Original Message----- .........So I think I'm going to have to trim it so as to reduce the strangulation effect. I would appreciate any advice on how to do this, and on what comfort level it is reasonable to achieve, without compromising the dryness of the suit. Thanks. jim holman *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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