My drysuit zipper blew out at 60 feet last Tuesday and I panicked hard

Honestly I was doing a routine hull inspection near the Port of Tacoma and right around the 20 minute mark I felt cold water creeping up my back. Looked down and saw the zipper had split about 4 inches. I signaled my tender immediately and did a controlled ascent but man that water was freezing. Got topside and had to sit in a warm truck for 30 minutes before I could even talk. Has anyone else had a zipper fail mid dive and what brand do you trust for replacements?

2 comments

2 Comments

gavin8010d ago

Nah, you're way too casual about a flooded drysuit at 60 feet.

terryrobinson10d ago

Fair enough but you were at 60 feet doing a routine hull inspection. That's hardly a cave penetration or a deep wreck dive. A controlled ascent from 60 feet with a split zipper is uncomfortable sure but it's not a life threatening emergency unless you let it become one. I've had a zipper go on me at 45 feet in Puget Sound in December and I just finished my dive and came up slow. Cold water on your back is annoying not deadly. People act like every little equipment hiccup is a near death experience when really half the time it's just poor maintenance and lack of practice.