How to Avoid a Feet First Ascent in a Drysuit

A dry suit protects you from cold water. Using a dry suit requires putting it on properly and "burping" it. By burping the dry suit you prevent air-bubble build up in the suit, which often leads to being off balance underwater. This sometimes leads to air collecting in the feet of the dry suit, which may turn you upside down sending you on a feet first ascent to the surface, something you want to avoid.

Instructions

    • 1

      Put your feet into the dry suit first. Slowly pull the rest of the dry suit up and onto your body. Do not put the neck gasket over your head yet.

    • 2

      Bend down and touch your toes. Feel air leave the dry suit during this initial burping. Push your arms through the sleeves and through the wrist gaskets. Pull the neck gasket up and over your head and bring it down and onto your neck.

    • 3

      Zip the dry suit up. Walk into the water so it is at knee height.

    • 4

      Sit down in the water and bend over so you can touch your toes. Use one hand to reach up and pry the neck gasket away from your neck. Sit under the water to your chest and let the water pressure push all excess air out of the dry suit through the open neck gasket. Let go of the gasket when the air is out.

    • 5

      Stand up. You should feel the dry suit clinging to you much like plastic wrap. You have removed all excess air from the dry suit, which prevents air accumulation in your lower regions. This stops feet first ascents. If air somehow accumulates during your dive, curl into a ball and grab the neck gasket and open slightly to expel excess air while underwater.