How to care for your dive Drysuit

Drysuits demand careful handling to keep seals, zippers, and valves performing reliably in cold water. Follow our complete care guide.

Close-up of a female diver with curly hair wearing a black Aqualung drysuit with integrated wrist valves, standing on a boat with the ocean and coastline in the background

Care before the Dive

Make sure your drysuit fits properly before diving. Seals should be snug but not tight. You may want your dealer to assist you in fitting your seals. Neck seals that are too tight may restrict blood flow to the brain, resulting in serious injury.
Inspect your valves for proper performance. Make sure your exhaust valve faceplate is tightened into the suit to approximately 4 lbs/ft (5.4 Nm), or as tight as possible by hand using the Apeks back nut tool.
When opening or closing your zipper, avoid catching undergarment material in the dry zipper teeth. If the zipper becomes jammed, do not continue pulling. Back the zipper up and clear debris or clothing. Do not force your zipper.
For lubrication of seals, use a food-grade vegetable-based silicone spray in a pump bottle (avoid aerosols). Unscented baby powder, talcum powder, or corn starch are great alternatives.
If your drysuit comes with latex seals and is exposed to extreme cold, ensure seals are warmed to a pliable condition before attempting to stretch them.
Avoid sharp objects such as rings, earrings, and fingernails, as they may tear seals.

Two divers in black Aqualung drysuits with integrated wrist valves, a female diver in a neoprene hood in the foreground and a smiling male diver in the background, with rocky cliffs behind them

Care during the Dive

The exterior surface of your drysuit is designed to withstand the normal wear and tear you might encounter during a normal dive. Abrasion against sharp rocks or other sharp objects can cut or puncture the exterior surface, so reasonable care should be taken to avoid these situations. Boots must be worn over dry socks. Small cuts or tears can be repaired according to instructions based on the type of material your suit is made from. Ask your dive professional for assistance.

Care after the Dive

Drysuit Cleaning

Keep your zipper free of sand and debris by spraying with clean fresh water after every use. Stubborn debris lodged in the zipper can be removed with a soft toothbrush and mild soap.
Inflate and exhaust valves should be rinsed in fresh water after use. The inflation valve should then be connected to the air supply and blown through to clear any residual water. The exhaust valve should have any residual water gently shaken off.
Rinse the outside of the suit with fresh clean water after each dive. If needed, hand wash the garment using a synthetic fabric cleaner such as Nikwax or a similar product.
Place the suit on a thick hanger with all the zippers open to ensure maximum air circulation and complete drying.

Fully equipped scuba diver in a black Aqualung drysuit and hood with BCD, regulators and dive computer, climbing a metal ladder on a boat with rocky cliffs in the background

Drysuit Storage

Be careful not to fold the zipper back on itself.
When folding your drysuit, start by laying the suit zipper side down with the zipper in the open position. Roll the suit starting at the feet, working toward the neck seal. Loosely fold the arms together over the body of the suit. If transporting in a bag, do not stuff your suit into a bag that is too small, as the zipper may get bent.
For prolonged storage, it is best to hang your suit from the legs with the zipper in the open position. Hang in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight and away from electric motors or fumes (chlorine, diesel, or gas). After prolonged storage, check the seals for cracking or loss of stretch. Natural rubber components generally have a lifetime of five years before needing replacement.