Uwatec WETSUITS, Manual

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6
DONNING YOUR WETSUIT
It’s not unusual to struggle a bit when climbing into a brand new wetsuit. Don’t worry, this is
normal. After just a couple of go-rounds you’ll be donning and doffing your wetsuit as easily
as pulling on your favorite tee-shirt. Here are a few tips to make the familiarization process
move a little quicker:
• Lay your wetsuit out flat and do a quick overall inspection to ensure it is in good
condition.
• Remember to remove jewelry – sharp edges can damage the seals at the neck, ankles
and wrists.
• Sit down, if possible, and insert a foot into a leg section.
• Fold the neoprene of the ankle gusset (if present) away from the inner seal.
• Grasp the suit material at calf level and gently ease the foot through the lower opening.
• Pull the suit up over the leg to about lower-thigh.
• Repeat with the other leg.
• Stand up, grasp the gathered suit and ease it up over your torso – before you go too
high, make sure that the crotch of the suit is in the correct position.
• With the suit gathered at your torso, fold the neoprene of a wrist gusset (if present) away
from the inner seal.
• Insert an arm all the way into the arm section, taking care not to damage the seal when
pushing your hand through the opening. (Note: sharp fingernails are the leading culprits
when it comes to seal damage – so be careful!)
• Repeat the process with your second arm. During this time make sure that the inner
zipper flap is not folded inside the suit. Then pull the suit up and over your shoulders.
!
WARNING
Avoid the temptation to grab hold of your suit’s I-Safe straps and use them as pull
handles when putting on or taking off your suit. I-Safe straps are designed to secure
your wrist instruments. While very effective at keeping your dive computer or wrist
compass from sliding up and down your arm when diving, an I-Safe strap won’t
survive being tugged on.
• If your suit has a vertical or diagonal zipper, at this point simply zip up and make sure
that the neck seal is smoothed out and the collar is secured.
• If your suit has an across-shoulder zipper, grasp the upper part of the neck hole with
both hands, with fingers on the inside and thumbs on the outside. Carefully stretch open
the neck area to help in passing your head through, then adjust the neck seal in the
most comfortable position and close the zipper.
USING YOUR WETSUIT
Your SCUBAPRO wetsuit is built with top quality materials that meet the highest
manufacturing standards. Treated properly, it will provide comfort and thermal protection for
years of diving. However, care must always be taken to ensure your suit is being used within
reasonable limits, always maintained, and never abused or neglected. In other words, take
care of your wetsuit and it will take care of you.
Pre-Dive Check:
Before EVERY dive make sure your wetsuit is in good condition. Check seams, inspect for
damage to materials or components, and that the suit is free of tears and holes. Also, check
the zipper to make sure it is not damaged or prone to blocking.