Dear Steve,
A while back I had to go through the decisions that you are having to make now.
To cut or not to cut and how much. Several years ago when I moved back from
decades of diving in warm water in the tropics I was faced with the issue of
suit seal "tightness". It was not an issue for me as my drysuits were fitted
and adjusted by the manufacturer but I had a dozen students (real good divers
but from the south)who were new to drysuits. So here I have a dozen or so brand
new suits and everyone is asking how tight the seals should be. 
Since I had all these "local experts" around me I listened to the advise which
was basically "nice and tight but not too tight, how does it feel?" One man's
tight is another man's loose, how tight is tight enough.
Well the fear of God was put in these people that the suit should not leak and
they basically cut the suits very tight. It was so bad that I finally got to
see what sinus caroid artery reflex looks like under water and found out how
good my rescue skills were, they were not bad as everyone lived but couple got
the sh... scared out of them.
So forget the "local experts" I did some basic research and got a concensus
from the manufacturer that the seal should be 15% less than the body part. If
your neck is 17'' the seal will work well at 14.5". Believe me now after a
couple years here in the freezing north this rule of thumb has worked just fine
on a score of cases.
Don't get all freaked out on leaking, if the seal is close to the right size
and is "set right" the water pressure will keep the seal. Do be concerned about
too tight. Passing out under water is not a good deal. BTW first dive in your
new suit might be in a pool but even then be sure you got a "buddy". Like they
say in Texas "you never need a gun till you REALLY need a gun" in this
situation your buddy is your only way out. So you know I put my money where my
mouth is this morning I just cut four brand new DUI suits as I have said.
Regards,
Gary Kulisek
www.technicaldivingops.com  
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Steve <sfkenney@ea*.ne*>
Date: Sun, 20 May 2001 11:39:40 -0700

>Need Advise,
>
>Just spent an arm and a leg on a DUI 350 Custom so I don't want to screw it
>up. Any advise you might have on how much to trim the wrist and neck seal so
>it doesn't leak or cut off circulation would be helpful, thanks in advance.
>
>Steve Kenney
>
>--
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