Neck size

[CPTOZZY]

I seem to recall an article by Mike Ange (I believe), in which he describes how a diver died because his neck seal on his drysuit was not properly sized. At depth the neck seal compressed and occluded his carotid Artery.

How are neck seals sized? is this a realistic concern?

My weight constantly fluctuates, I routinely gain or lose 20 pounds every couple of years. How should I plan to size my suit?

[CompuDude]

First off, it's highly doubtful it played out exactly as your friend said. Seals don't get tighter as you go down... it just doesn't work that way. He could have died from the seal simply being too tight, however.

If a neck seal is too tight, the carotid reflex kicks in... as the arteries are squeezed, the brain thinks your blood pressure is too high since the heart has to work too hard to push blood through, so it slows the heart. Eventually not enough blood is moving to maintain consciousness. Unconscious + underwater = bad.

Neck seals are a tricky thing... they need to be snug enough to keep water out, but not so snug they interfere with circulation.

Chances are, however, that you'll be fine, especially with latex seals, which have more stretch and are more forgiving than neoprene. They can withstand a certain amount of weight gain before you would need to trim them down a bit... if you cut them to fit a larger neck, though, and then lose enough weight to cause leakage, you'll want to replace the seal. (Perhaps a good application for zip seals?) Meanwhile, if you're worried, I'd start with the latex seals, so there is more inherent flexibility than neoprene seals.

Also, a halfway decent drysuit class, or even an experienced buddy, can show you how tight the seals should be.

[Heavy D]

If you geyt the suit from a reputable shop, they will help you with your seals. Basically though with a new suit that has latex seals, it's a one size fits all thing. There are little rings molded in the latex about every 1/8th inch or so and you just keep trimming off rings until its the proper fit.

[SkuaSeptember]

If you lose a lot of weight, or trim too much,this can work out well.
Apollo Sports: Dive Gear: Bio Seal

[CPTOZZY]

Thanks guys, Good Information

I Don't have the Mike Ange "Lessons for Life" Article Handy, But I assumed this was a Neoprene Dry suit, probably too tight to start with....


Compudude:
I am familiar with the physiology re: carotid Baroreceptors and heartrate. Latex seals sound like Sage advice for my first Dry Suit. Would you recommend a formal Dry suit class? Or would Pool time with an experienced freind suffice?

skuaseptember;
Thanks for the Apollo Link. I am not Latex Sensitive, but I will probably look into that once I go dry to mitigate any Latex Contact Dermatitis.

Heavy D: Good Info. BTW I will be Heading to BAMC a couple of times in the next couple of months (ISR Rotation, etc.) I'd love to get together and Dive if our schedules permit....

Thanks again guys

[BouzoukiJoe A.K.A. wrecker130 AKA Chuck Norris AKA joeforbroke (banned)]

Everyone learns in different ways. I learn best through a combination of mentoring, formal instruction, and experience.

I helped Scotttyd with his dry suit and he's not dead yet so apparently some people can get by without a class. I would recommend more than pool time though. Especially practice making ascents. You also need to practice what to do if your feet get above your head- you will need to right yourself before you can vent which is easier said than done sometimes. Once you get used to it, the suit almost dives itself.

A class isn't a bad idea, but it's possible to learn without one.

[Heavy D]

Sounds good, just holler at me when you are ready to come out this way. If it's in the next month then I am good to go. After that, I will be restricted to Saturdays or Sundays I'm sure.

As far as a drysuit class, it wouldn't hurt but I wouldn't spend money on one. Experience is what worked for me. My LDS offers the drysuit class free if you purchase your suit through them, but for me, I just used it a couple times when I was diving with the shop owner and I got the hang of it. Exhausting the air on ascent is what gave me the most trouble.

[CompuDude]

A good buddy (plus some reading on your own) can be just as good as a class, but a class is a more sure way to cover all the necessary info if you don't have access to a good, experienced buddy.

If you do have access to a good, experienced buddy, and do some reading on your own, the only reason to take the class would be the have the card in case you ever need to rent a drysuit (most shops require the card to rent).

[CPTOZZY]

Originally Posted by Heavy D

Sounds good, just holler at me when you are ready to come out this way. If it's in the next month then I am good to go. After that, I will be restricted to Saturdays or Sundays I'm sure.

As far as a drysuit class, it wouldn't hurt but I wouldn't spend money on one. Experience is what worked for me. My LDS offers the drysuit class free if you purchase your suit through them, but for me, I just used it a couple times when I was diving with the shop owner and I got the hang of it. Exhausting the air on ascent is what gave me the most trouble.

As I recall we will be down at BAMC for a week or two here and there in May, June and July. I'll give you a heads up as the training schedule solidifies

[Heavy D]

Originally Posted by CPTOZZY

As I recall we will be down at BAMC for a week or two here and there in May, June and July. I'll give you a heads up as the training schedule solidifies

That will be perfect. In May the lakes might be a little cool still but will be warming up. In June and July, they will be great.