Waterproof DRYSUIT Owner's Manual - page 10
Waterproof Drysuite Owners Manual
Page 10 of 10
If You Have a Leak
Almost everyone who dives actively in a drysuit sooner or later experiences a leak. Most of
these are minor and result only in slight dampness, however, if you notice water entering your
suit during a dive, end the dive and surface to determine the cause, do not tough it out . A
serious leak could cause loss of buoyancy, chilling, rapid air consumption, or other problems.
The most likely causes are easy to fix and you can be back in the water soon.
While major leaks or seal failures are extremely rare, you will probably at some point come up
from a dive with an area of dampness that seems more than would be accounted for by normal
perspiration. Carefully note the location of the dampness. Check to see if it is near a wrist or
neck seal, a valve, or the location of the zipper. This will give you an excellent clue as to the
location of the leak. The most common causes of leaks in drysuits are:
1) Failure to get a good seal before entering the water. Hair or undergarments might be trapped
under the seals or the seal might be folded is such a way as to make an entry point for water.
2) Failure to completely close the zipper before entering the water. Make sure double checking
the zipper closure is part of your pre-dive procedure.
3) Valve leaks can be caused by loose valves, connecting the inflator hose while in the water can
cause a very small amount of water to enter the suit, or foreign material could have become
lodged in the exhaust valve. If this latter is the case it can often be corrected by flushing the
valve with water to wash out the foreign material.
4) Something might have punctured the suit. Sea urchin spines, sharp shells, and wire, hooks, or
sharp metal on boats or wrecks are common offenders.
5) You might have a tear or a pinhole in one of the seals. Check the latex material carefully,
particularly along the edges. If a leak is found you should take your drysuit to a dealer that is
qualified in drysuit servicing but the patching of small leaks can be an easy do-it-yourself project
with a couple of readily available items. Locating a very small puncture is sometimes difficult. If
the puncture is not visually obvious, the best procedure is to seal the wrist and neck seals with
cans or by folding, zip the suit up, and inflate it fully. A soapy water solution can then be sprayed
or sponged on the suspect area. Small leaks show themselves by producing bubbles. Mark the
spot and dry the suit before repairing the leak. Most small holes and tears (1/2 inch/12mm or
less) in either trilaminate or neoprene suits can be temporarily repaired with an Aquaseal type
product that is sold in dive equipment stores. Similar size cuts or tears in latex seals can easily
be repaired with the rubber patching materials used in fixing the leaks in bicycle tires. These
types of small repairs can last for years even though they are considered temporary or field
repairs. It is recommended that before your next dive trip that you have the repairs inspected
by a dealer that is familiar with drysuit servicing.
Waterproof Diving International AB
www.waterproof.se