Quote:
Originally Posted by JackK
There are two gumby styles... One has a tube that goes under your arms and around your back that you inflate, another that basically is a pillow on your back that inflates. The ones under your arms do a much better job at keeping your head out of the water than the pillow style, but both are better than no inflation.
But I suppose having any type of suit is much better than having none at all!
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I saved the float tubes from my old suits, the more floatation the better. I used to teach a USCG commercial fishing vessel safety course and I found the inflatable tubes to last and last beyond the suits shelf life. I have been in 30 or 40 different suits and the older ones do leak at the fold points often. Some times the feet leak a bit even in a new suit. Even with the leaks the water warms up fast and the suit often stops leaking once it expands a bit. I did all the classes in the winter in Maine and have been in the water over an hour in a leaky suit with no problem. The five finger cloves suck, the mittens are far better. Buy a suit that seems to big for you. I pack mine with personal flares and a hand held radio. Don't let the flares drip on the suit of course. Sorry for the long email, but we are talking about you life here.