I'm glad I asked and thanks for all the responses. My measurements on the
seal is about 12.5" 6 rings up from the bottom using the base of a coffee
can coming up through the suit(not exact science). Some say it will stretch
but IMO that will that some time and I don't want to overstretch it before I
use it a couple of times by letting it sit overnight over an AL80 ;-). I
found a tapered glass vase that I can put through the neck seal and I plan
to cut it with a razor blade at the 5th ring and that will put it within the
high range of 15-25% of my neck size 16-3/4. Almost pencil neck geek
compared to George's 18.5". If this seems to tight I will take another ring
or two but this seems like the logical place to start prior to the pool
session. Have divers died from neck rings that were to tight?

Steve Kenney





on 5/21/01 5:50 AM, Gary Kulisek at garykulisek@sc*.co* wrote:

> 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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> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________________________________________
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> 
> 
> 
> 

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