Soak your suit?

[divechaplain-sara]

On another message board that I visit, a bunch of triathletes were talking about soaking their wetsuit before they used it--this is supposed to losen it up and make it easier to get into and move around in after it has been in storage over the colder months because the suits dryout and can get tough/brittle. Sounds interesting but I sure don't remember that as a part of wetsuit care in my diving class. Has anyone else heard of this recommendation?

[coral cowgirl]

I've noticed on the first dive of the day when dry it's more buoyant. After saturation and a few compressions from dives it's less so. And it's easier to get into when wet.

[navyhmc]

I can honestly say I have never heard that. I know that a wet wetsuit is not as easy to get into as a dry one. I have always subscribed to the store your suit dry, hung up and in a cool, not cold environment for maximum life. The things that will shorten the life of a suit include not cleaning it, storing it in hot areas and worse in direct sunlight.

The insulating factor will degrade over time just from use. Some folks say that the suits they use for deep diving seem to lose their warmth faster, but so far, I don't have enough data to confirm or deny. I will say I have a suit that's 23 years old and the only reason I replaced it was it shrunk over the past 2 years and I can't get it to close anymore. But, other than that....

[mitsuguy]

My wife and I both find it easier to get into our wetsuits when they are already wet...

I know for sure that they are more buoyant during the first dive, probably a pound or so on my 4/3 mil, but that only lasts 5 minutes or so...

[Lone Frogman]

Originally Posted by divechaplain-sara

On another message board that I visit, a bunch of triathletes were talking about soaking their wetsuit before they used it--this is supposed to losen it up and make it easier to get into and move around in after it has been in storage over the colder months because the suits dryout and can get tough/brittle. Sounds interesting but I sure don't remember that as a part of wetsuit care in my diving class. Has anyone else heard of this recommendation?

I find the best way to soak my suit is by diving with it. How many people like putting on a cold wet suit?

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by Lone Frogman

I find the best way to soak my suit is by diving with it. How many people like putting on a cold wet suit?

Up north (the place where they measure snow in ft instead of cm.) I have seen divers bring thromases of hot water just to make this process a little easier in the cold. Warms the suite and helps things not be as cold going back on.

[Jack Hammer]

I got a stretchy wetsuit and have never had any problems getting it on or off, either wet or dry (Henderson Hyperstretch). They should have come out with something like this years ago. Definately worth the extra cash for me.

Jack

[oddbod]

A wet,cold clammy wetsuit is the reason I hate doing a second dive when its too long between them to stay in the wetsuit, the hot thermos sounds a good idea though.

[Charles R]

The warm water also help if you poor it into your wet suit after its fully on right before you enter the water it helps prevent that cold rush the water is already warm.

[Lone Frogman]

When it gets that cold, (water and air is less than 60 degrees) I'm dry and warm in my dry suit. I'm an old fart and can't hang in the cold water anymore. Snow bring it on it melts and makes more water to dive in.