Otter Drysuits

[Tommy Gore]

Well the dive show is getting closer and after a lot of looking on here at various posts(a great resource by the way) !!
I have made my mind up to go for a Otter Britannic Membrane drysuit, i know its going to cost me,but i always say if you do it--do it right :-)
I have also made my mind up to go for Auto dump, but i could do with a bit of advice on the best place to put this(wrist or shoulder) and what other things should i ask for on the suit,its going to be MTM--so i might as well go for the whole hog so to speak.
any advice would be really helpful, i know there are lots of peeps on here who use these suits and dont worry i will get full training before i even go near an open water dive :-)

dive safe--be happy

kind regards

T.G.

[Andy Wade]

Well the dive show is getting closer and after a lot of looking on here at various posts(a great resource by the way) !!
I have made my mind up to go for a Otter Britannic Membrane drysuit, i know its going to cost me,but i always say if you do it--do it right :-)
I have also made my mind up to go for Auto dump, but i could do with a bit of advice on the best place to put this(wrist or shoulder) and what other things should i ask for on the suit,its going to be MTM--so i might as well go for the whole hog so to speak.
any advice would be really helpful, i know there are lots of peeps on here who use these suits and dont worry i will get full training before i even go near an open water dive :-)

dive safe--be happy


Why not have a chat about it with John Womack, who is the owner of Otter Watersports?
He's sure to be at the show on their stand.
You'll find that he's really helpful and would be only too happy to discuss the various options that would suit you personally.
What he doesn't know about drysuilts isn't worth knowing.



.

[Clive Ward]

:=Well the dive show is getting closer and after a lot of looking on here at various posts(a great resource by the way) !!
:=I have made my mind up to go for a Otter Britannic Membrane drysuit, i know its going to cost me,but i always say if you do it--do it right :-)
:=I have also made my mind up to go for Auto dump, but i could do with a bit of advice on the best place to put this(wrist or shoulder) and what other things should i ask for on the suit,its going to be MTM--so i might as well go for the whole hog so to speak.
:=any advice would be really helpful, i know there are lots of peeps on here who use these suits and dont worry i will get full training before i even go near an open water dive :-)
:=
:=dive safe--be happy
:=

Why not have a chat about it with John Womack, who is the owner of Otter Watersports?
He's sure to be at the show on their stand.
You'll find that he's really helpful and would be only too happy to discuss the various options that would suit you personally.
What he doesn't know about drysuilts isn't worth knowing.



If you're getting pockets on it, the otter pockets are just about too small if you want to keep a buddy self-inlfating blob in one. The polar bears pockets are excellent - loads of velcro, loops for a bungy loop + slot at back for tables (a happy customer)

hth
clive

[John Williams]

If you're getting pockets on it, the otter pockets are just about too small if you want to keep a buddy self-inlfating blob in one. The polar bears pockets are excellent - loads of velcro, loops for a bungy loop + slot at back for tables (a happy customer)


But...if you tell John Womack exactly what you want (or give him the article that is to go into the pocket he'll do exactly what you want.

John

[terryh]

Why not have a chat about it with John Womack, who is the owner of Otter Watersports?
He's sure to be at the show on their stand.
You'll find that he's really helpful and would be only too happy to discuss the various options that would suit you personally.
What he doesn't know about drysuilts isn't worth knowing.


I'd more than second that. Otter are the club's preferred
drysuit and sometimes we look like a works outing.

I'd go for auto shoulder and get the right nipple on your
inflator (ooh err missis!). You can have the standard one or
a BC hose type. Make sure the hose has a decent ferule
on it that you can grab with gloves. Just because you can use
a BC hose doesnt mean that you do!

Only other point is that MTM is the same price as off the peg
at the show. They have to make it anyway and you are there to
measure. Dont forget to ask for free "extras", even if it's
ankle weights and a cap.

TerryH

[Nick Kay]

Dont forget to ask for free "extras", even if it's
ankle weights and a cap.

TerryH

Terry - I'd agree with asking for the extras, but why suggest ankle weights - we should be teaching use of drysuits without them and then only adding them if absolutely necessary. Too many people start off with ankle weights and then never manage to wean themselves off them...

[Ben Field]

O3 wearer myself but as its MTM thought I'd chip in my 2p's worth.

The new Apex Autodumps work well in my experience, but you do need a good location, high on the outside of your upper left arm, almost on your shoulder.

The Otter guys should know where to put it, you certainly wouldn't have it on your wrist, thats a cuff dump, a whole different animal.

I had shoulder and seat pads added to mine, for taking the chaffing on the shoulder straps of stabs and harnesses and for scuffing your arse on RIB tubes and harsh wooden hardboat benches, however tough a suit you buy it will wear, when your spending 100's you should try to get it to wear on sacrifical pads first.

As for pockets, if you get them big make sure you have them fitted to the outside of your thighs (so you can still bend your legs, pointless and uncomfortable on the front of the leg) secondly make sure they are mounted high enough so you can reach to the bottom. (No sense suffering from short arms and deep pockets so to speak)

Depending what diving you do/if you need one, getting the OEM to fit a pee-valve is easier than doing it yourself, if you go out on all day RIB trips I would say that they are more essential than if your doing one-dive a day techy stuff, well thats what I've found.

Lastly "seals" I prefer neoprene, warmer and longer lasting also abit tougher and gives more options for what to wear on your hands (longer gloves for example) but its a personnal choice so get whatever you find most comfortable.

all the best,
BEN

[terryh]

:=
Terry - I'd agree with asking for the extras, but why suggest ankle weights - we should be teaching use of drysuits without them and then only adding them if absolutely necessary. Too many people start off with ankle weights and then never manage to wean themselves off them...

I've never used ankle weights, and have never seen the point
(for me), but I know many that do. It's personal choice etc.
and I know many a VERY experinced diver that use them.

Before we get into the kit police bit, remember that making
mistakes is often how you learn and as a diver gets more experience they can be objective enough to make there
own decision.

TerryH

[PeteM]

:=:=
:=Terry - I'd agree with asking for the extras, but why suggest ankle weights - we should be teaching use of drysuits without them and then only adding them if absolutely necessary. Too many people start off with ankle weights and then never manage to wean themselves off them...

I've never used ankle weights, and have never seen the point
(for me), but I know many that do. It's personal choice etc.
and I know many a VERY experinced diver that use them.

Before we get into the kit police bit, remember that making
mistakes is often how you learn and as a diver gets more experience they can be objective enough to make there
own decision.

I think it was a fair point, how many people do you see wearing ankle weights but when you ask them have NEVER dived with out them. Encouraging people to try without is a good idea

[terryh]

I think it was a fair point, how many people do you see wearing ankle weights but when you ask them have NEVER dived with out them. Encouraging people to try without is a good idea


Err, well actually none!

I dont think i've EVER met somebody that used ankle weights
from day one. It's always been a case of adding weights AFTER
there is a perceived problem. I use the word perceived because
unless YOU have that problem, then YOU cant apreciate the need.

That's why although I dont use AW, i'm quite happy for others
to make there own choice.

There is a lot of kit and variations of kit out there. Just
because it doesnt fit how you do it, doesnt make it wrong.

TerryH

[Rich]

Well the dive show is getting closer and after a lot of looking on here at various posts(a great resource by the way) !!
I have made my mind up to go for a Otter Britannic Membrane drysuit, i know its going to cost me,but i always say if you do it--do it right :-)
I have also made my mind up to go for Auto dump, but i could do with a bit of advice on the best place to put this(wrist or shoulder) and what other things should i ask for on the suit,its going to be MTM--so i might as well go for the whole hog so to speak.
any advice would be really helpful, i know there are lots of peeps on here who use these suits and dont worry i will get full training before i even go near an open water dive :-)

dive safe--be happy

kind regards

T.G.

-good luck, you wont go far wrong with an Otter Suit, their support guys are always very obliging and helpfull. Go for MTM thou. Rich.

[Tommy Gore]

Well the dive show is getting closer and after a lot of looking on here at various posts(a great resource by the way) !!
I have made my mind up to go for a Otter Britannic Membrane drysuit, i know its going to cost me,but i always say if you do it--do it right :-)
I have also made my mind up to go for Auto dump, but i could do with a bit of advice on the best place to put this(wrist or shoulder) and what other things should i ask for on the suit,its going to be MTM--so i might as well go for the whole hog so to speak.
any advice would be really helpful, i know there are lots of peeps on here who use these suits and dont worry i will get full training before i even go near an open water dive :-)

dive safe--be happy

kind regards

T.G.

all advice and information greatfully received and noted--thanks all--:-)

[Tom Brookes]

I can give my full compliments to the Britanic suit, had mine about 3or 4 years ish.
Great suit they take a bit of getting used to & depending on what you had before may need a bit of bouyancy adjusting.
I had done about 250 dives with a cuff dump before my britanic & went for a shoulder dump & it took me ages to get used to it, even to the extent that I nearly had a cuff dump put on it as well. But worked with it & now Ive got used to it.
Mine has had some real abuse & still going strong.

As for ankle weights, Ive never used them but would not be worried if my buddy wore them. I would say how ever it always seems the easy option that if someone is having bouyancy problems "stick on some ankle weights", when with a bit of effort they may correct the bouyancy problem with out addding weight.
Saying that one of the lads at our club always dives with them & is happy to do so & would not dream of changing that way. It works for him so whats the problem