Latex seal and rubbing

[Seal diver]

Ideas please to help prevent chafing of neck with latex dry suit seal??

I obviously don't want to use any products that can perish (or reduce the life) of the latex seal.

Many thanks,
Ben.

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by Seal diver

Ideas please to help prevent chafing of neck with latex dry suit seal??

I obviously don't want to use any products that can perish (or reduce the life) of the latex seal.

Many thanks,
Ben.

Wetstuff - the condom lube you can get in the supermarket. Or, if you are the easily embarassed type, vetlube. Both are water based, so they don't affect latex. The strawberry flavour one isn't bad either.

[WillD]

Two things you could try...

I use Barex which I got from Puffin in Oban when I was up there, but not sure where else you can get it from. Has lanolin in in so it keeps the skin nice and smooth...

The other is an Apollo Bioseal - a weird type of rubber that you put under the latex seal. I tend to put it on students when the hire suit neck is just slightly too large, but it does prevent chafing too. See Apollo Europe.

W.

[GLOC]

Originally Posted by WillD

Two things you could try...

I use Barex which I got from Puffin in Oban when I was up there, but not sure where else you can get it from. Has lanolin in in so it keeps the skin nice and smooth...

The other is an Apollo Bioseal - a weird type of rubber that you put under the latex seal. I tend to put it on students when the hire suit neck is just slightly too large, but it does prevent chafing too. See Apollo Europe.

W.

Apollo Bioseal works really well but it does rot the seals. You need to be scrupulous in cleaning the seal after you have used the BioSeal to make the seal last a long time.

What I have used with no detrimental effect is Dermashield, I used this for 2 week long livaboards and had no issue whereas previously it would take one days saltwater diving to make my neck bleed.

HTH

[Howard Payne]

Try wiping the inside of the seal and your neck with fresh water between and before dives. You may be suprised

[Prometheus]

I read that as "Latex and seal rubbing "

Must get some sleep.

[Jules]

Originally Posted by Howard Payne

Try wiping the inside of the seal and your neck with fresh water between and before dives. You may be suprised

OMG howard said something sensible ...

That's the right answer. I take a wet flannel and wash the nect seal clean after each dive and also take some wet wipes for face and use them to clean my neck between dives. It works a treat.

You can also use sudacrem (nappy rash cream) and put it on in the evening after your shower (on your neck, not your bum, before someone suggests that) but wash it off in the morning as i understand it does affect the latex.

Since I started the "neck cleaning" approach I havent suffered from this in my dry suit.

Jules

[Craig]

I use KY and put up with the verbal from the rest of the boat.

I've never had a problem with this although changing to a neoprene seal helped as well.

[Mark Sydenham]

I've just started using this stuff:

Dermashield, Drysuit Accessories at divingniknaks 0121 707 5783. Frog, Dirzone, Agir Brokk Scuba Diving Gear

It's brilliant - just rub a small bit onto your neck a few mins before donning suit and hey presto! No garotted look after the days diving.
This stuff really is good and I can't recommend it highly enough!

Cheers,
Mark.

[ardhill]

Originally Posted by Seal diver

Ideas please to help prevent chafing of neck with latex dry suit seal??

I obviously don't want to use any products that can perish (or reduce the life) of the latex seal.

Change it for a neo seal.

It will last longer than latex and you won't get a nasty skin rash.