Neck Seal Rash

[Mdemon]

Porg Juice (vet lube) helps get your suit on, and very fine it is too. To stop the rub, you need a lubricant DURING the dive however. Before lubing up with the vet KY I rub lanolin into my neck, and lots of it. This is the only thing I've found that stops it happening, although I reckon anything greasy will do. Sudacrem is great AFTERWARDS to fix whatever damage has been done IMHO.

Yeh, I know the rumour that it degrades the neckseal, but the quantities are small and I'd rather replace a neck seal every 18 months rather than look like a fetishist... ;-)

[Neill]

Hi

My bioseal came in a screw top pot with some grease proof paper. I always rinse it with warm water and put it back in its little pot. I still use ky jelly as it helps position the latex neckseal. Putting the bioseal on is an artform. I find it easiest with a buddy or a mirror. I kind of stretch it between my hands like a kid doing a cats craddle thingy ( do you remember doing this - I grew up in west wales = no TV) and stick over me head. Trying to position it so it doesnt roll up under my chin. Quick smear of ky round the neck seal and on we go. A ky'd finger around the neck ( as they say) and it sits nicely sealing well. Is this too much detail?

I dont get the same problems with my wrists?


Neill.

[chrisch]

My missus had this problem for a long while. While diving with Puffin in Oban they suggested Barrex a shaving-foam like lanolin based barrier cream. Its cheaper than the Bio Seal others have mentioned (about a fiver) but I have never seen it for sale anywhere else (lasts years - we go to Puffin at least once every 3 years....).
As many others have said the real answer is a neoprene seal. (arf arf arf arf).

Chris

[KimH]

Originally Posted by Neill

Hi

I still use ky jelly as it helps position the latex neckseal. Putting the bioseal on is an artform. I find it easiest with a buddy or a mirror. I kind of stretch it between my hands like a kid doing a cats craddle thingy ( do you remember doing this - I grew up in west wales = no TV) and stick over me head. Trying to position it so it doesnt roll up under my chin. Quick smear of ky round the neck seal and on we go. A ky'd finger around the neck ( as they say) and it sits nicely sealing well. Is this too much detail?

When I first had the neck rash I thought I'd try the good old KY, everyone else said it would help. So I duly set off for the local Boots, I have never been accused of being shy and retiring, in fact I used to be the one at school that always went to buy the "johnnies", booze and fags.
Anyway, I couldn't see it on the counter so I asked, "Oh" said the assistant and then proceeded to whisper "It's on the family planning counter". I shrugged and went off in search of it once more. A few minutes later I was back at the counter with the tube, the nice assistant said "you found it ok then?" to which I replied "yes, but is it the biggest size you do?" she looked at me quizzically so I added "well I need it to help me get into my rubber suit and this size won't last long". I had obviously rattled her so just bought the small tube.

The next day I needed to go back to Boots but this time for something else, quite innocent, but I did catch sight of that assistant's heels disappearing around the corner. I wonder why?

[torbaydiver]

I received my bio-seal today and it feels rather tight, I gave my measurements over the telephone as 15 inches which is 38 cm and was told that I would need a medium but on the box medium is 28 cm -- 35 cm and large is 35 cm -- 40 cm, just phoned him up but he assures me large would be too big as it needs to be tight!
So how big is yours?

[GUV..]

Hi All,
Just an update ,as i was having one of my boots repaired on my drysuit i talked to my LDS and he pointed out how degraded my seals were transparent in places and cracking round the joins so while there sorting out the boots their replacing all the seals,more so because i have alot of diving coming up and there guaranteed to rip when miles from no where.the LDS said something interesting that im not sure is true or not,He says"as the latex degrades and breaks down it releases chlorine and this can leave marks and irritate the skin" has anyone else heard this or is it just BS.Anyway he was smiling and rubbing his little sweaty hands together when i agreed to the new seals.

[Martyn Ward]

Re GUV's comments about latex seals breaking down, it sounds right to me.

I've just sold a "yachting" type drysuit which I've had for a few years and never used. It was in perfect nick when I got it, I kept it in the proverbial cool, dry place, and when I sold it, the neck seal was well on it's way out.

Re chrisch's comments about Barrex, me too! Me and Mrs. Me have used it exclusively since moving to Oban 5 years ago and are still only on the second tin. As well as making it easier to get our suits on, it's less messy than talcum powder, and as the name suggests, it protects your hands to a certain degree. As far as I know, only Puffin sell the stuff as it's made by their "sister" company in Carlisle.

[KimH]

Have just got back from a trip last week that was the first opportunity I've had to put my new Bio Seal through its' paces. After the first day I had no trace of hangman's neck so things were looking good, better yet there was not a trace of marking or soreness for each of the subsequent days. All in all it did a brilliant job, not only that but it was also exceedingly comfortable making a softer edge to the latex.
I wish I had found this years ago, and no need for KY or any other messy lubricant/barrier

[Janos]

I've had a few problems with my bioseal. I got it because I have problems with my neck seal not sealing. First time I tried it was in Stoney in Winter. Jumped in. Whoosh. 2 degree water down my neck. Nadgers shrank to peanut size.

Since then I've been earing it over the neck seal. I get a better seal this way (although it does nothing to relieve hangmans neck).

Probably should just get a smaller neck seal but problem is I'm diving every weekend.

Laters,
Janos

[KimH]

Originally Posted by torbaydiver

I received my bio-seal today and it feels rather tight, I gave my measurements over the telephone as 15 inches which is 38 cm and was told that I would need a medium but on the box medium is 28 cm -- 35 cm and large is 35 cm -- 40 cm, just phoned him up but he assures me large would be too big as it needs to be tight!
So how big is yours?

I would probably agree with "the man", I've got a 17.5 inch neck and large is comfortable for me. There is still a bit more expansion left in it so I would think it would be too loose for you and not seal properly. I did find that it felt a bit snug at first but I think this is more due to the clinging feeling of the gel rather than being too tight.

Hope it settles down for you.