Hickeys

[dagrath]

I did my first two dives with my new suit this morning, it was a lot of fun.

Everything seemed to work pretty well, and I stayed pretty warm in the 50 degree water for 2 1-hour dives.

I didn't mind the squeeze much, and left the exhaust valve fully open. I only added a little bit of air a few times. Nothing felt particularly painful, and I was content to just let it squeeze. I was actually really surprised when I hopped in the shower a few hours later and noticed hickeys around my armpits. They are still visible 4 hours after being out of the water, but I didn't feel any sort of pinching or anything abnormal during the dive in that area.

Oh well, beats the hell out of diving wet in that cold water.

[bubbletrubble]

If you think you could live without the squeeze, maintain a little more air in your drysuit. Experiment a little with adjusting your exhaust valve and working on your horizontal trim. If you have a tendency to be a little head-down-feet-high, I could see the squeeze affecting your upper torso...and giving you the armpit hickeys.

If you're using a BP/W setup, you may have to let the harness out a little to accommodate your drysuit, too.

Are you taking a drysuit class or are you diving with some experienced drysuit buddies?

[dagrath]

I actually was doing okay on trim, obviously as a new diver and a new drysuit diver I have plenty of room to improve, but I was fairly horizontal. I definitely didn't have any problems with my feet being too high. I just didn't keep much air in my suit in general. The only time I added more air was on the second dive when I started to get a little chilly.

I am using a BCD (Zeagle Brigade), but I do think the straps might have restricted some airflow to my armpits some. I was still able to vent air by rolling my left shoulder upwards though.

Today I was diving with an experienced buddy. I have AOW + drysuit cert next week.

[OH-JJ]

What underlayer are you wearing?

I like to wear underarmor ( actually the Wal-Mart knock off,) as a base wicking layer, it also reduces the hickeys.

also I seldom leave my value all the way open. back it off one or two clicks.

[bubbletrubble]

Originally Posted by OH-JJ

What underlayer are you wearing?

I like to wear underarmor ( actually the Wal-Mart knock off,) as a base wicking layer, it also reduces the hickeys.

I totally agree with this. I wear polypro underwear beneath the undergarment. It reduces friction and wicks away perspiration as OH-JJ said.

[bubbletrubble]

Originally Posted by dagrath

The only time I added more air was on the second dive when I started to get a little chilly.

What kind of undergarment were you wearing? By the way, I do the same thing when I get cold...I pump up the suit a little.

Originally Posted by dagrath

Today I was diving with an experienced buddy. I have AOW + drysuit cert next week.

Great. Sounds like a busy week.

I take it that the drysuit took care of your frozen feet, right?

[dagrath]

I was wearing a Bare T-100 undergarment, with a polypro base layer.

My feet were toasty warm. Overall, it was totally awesome. I did 2 hour long dives underwater with a long surface swim out and back (so I was in the water a long time on the day). I was eager to get in the water for a 3rd dive, because I was still warm and didn't feel nearly as tired as I typically do when freezing in a wetsuit. My buddy had to get back though, so I ended the day feeling great.

I think I am going to order the suspender kit from ST, and also the Zeagle crotch strap to attach to my BCD. This will help keep the crotch of the suit from sagging a little and then squeezing into place. I still had nearly full range of motion, but because it froze in place while sagging just a little, the fit wasn't quite as nice as it could be.

[bubbletrubble]

Originally Posted by dagrath

I was wearing a Bare T-100 undergarment, with a polypro base layer.

This is the exact same setup I have. Works great for me.

I'm glad your feet stayed warm.

Originally Posted by dagrath

I think I am going to order the suspender kit from ST, and also the Zeagle crotch strap to attach to my BCD. This will help keep the crotch of the suit from sagging a little and then squeezing into place. I still had nearly full range of motion, but because it froze in place while sagging just a little, the fit wasn't quite as nice as it could be.

Let me know how the suspenders work out for ya. The only time I've thought they might be nice is during a surface interval in-between dives. Most of the time I end up just tying the arms in front of me in a loose overhand knot. That's usually enough to keep the suit from slipping down. I never thought that suspenders might help with drysuit fit during a dive, but it's worth a try. The crotch strap might be a good enough fix.

Keep us posted on your drysuit tweaks. Have fun and dive safe.

[Splitlip]

If you or your partner is married, avoid them (hickies).

Oh sorry. Wrong forum.