How to get into a Wet Suit

[RKC]

From: RKCNZ (Original Message) Sent: 26/07/2007 3:58 p.m.

G'day,

Its common knowledge among professional dredgers that plastic bags can be of use when getting into a wet suit and the same method is also in common use among most scuba divers ... so, I though I would add a post on this subject for the information of any dredgers who may not yet be aware of this particularly helpful procedure.

How to get into a Wet Suit: 1. Place small plastics bags, one on each foot, this allows your foot and leg to slide easily into the legs of your wet suit. Make sure the wet suit is adjusted properly at the tip of thigh where the leg meets the hip.2. Place small plastic bag over one hand and forearm. Slide the plastic bagged hand/arm into the wet suit. Repeat for other arm.

Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[RKC]

From: Roscoe Sent: 30/07/2007 1:57 p.m.

What`s this wimpy baggies bizzo? Grab your wet-suit and hurl yourself into the stream. Not only will the water lubricate entry, but you will shrink two sizes, facilitating arm and leg insertions. Then you can huddle over a campfire and warm up.

[RKC]

From: RKCNZ Sent: 30/07/2007 4:03 p.m.

G'day Roscoe,

Using plastic bags to facilitate putting on a wet suit is a very useful tip (I put the tip up here after recently seeing the issue discussed on another forum).

Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[RKC]

From: RKCNZ Sent: 30/07/2007 4:47 p.m.

G'day,

I'd like to add... any plastic bags can be used (common old plastic bags from the supermarket will do just fine) and they are placed over the feet. Then, the wet suit slides on with very little effort. The bags are then removed from the feet before adding any foot ware.

I was first told about using plastic bags by Lubo when we were dredging on Big River in Victoria. And Lubo knew about it because he was a trained scuba diver. Over time it became a method in common use by the serious dredgers on Big river (and no doubt the Goulburn also). Its something I would have never thought of doing without having been told about and then trying it and finding it was of use.

Regards,
Rob (RKC)

[RKC]

From: Roscoe Sent: 30/07/2007 7:56 p.m.

Talking about the Goulburn and wet suits reminded me on when Billy and I camped there one Xmas. Our neighbour was Bob (?) a dredger from Geelong. He owned a neoprene jacket without a zip. Every night at knockoff time, Bob would wander up to our camp. Billy took hold of one end of him, while I grabbed the jacket and gradually wrestled it off. We reckoned it was about two sizes too small for him. Glad he only stayed a week as we were trying to dodge the job in the end.