CRESSI 1946 Wet Suit Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- CRESSI
Table of Contents
CRESSI 1946 Wet Suit Instruction
Product Information
The Cressi Sub Wetsuits are neoprene wetsuits designed for diving. They are manufactured by Cressi Sub, a company located in Genova, Italy. The wetsuits have been type-tested and certified in accordance with EU Regulation 2016/425 and the harmonized standard EN 14225-1:2017 by Notified Body No. 0474 RINA.
The wetsuits are made using high-quality materials and production processes to ensure reliability and durability. They provide protection against cold temperatures during diving activities.
For more information and to view the EU Declaration of Conformity for this product, please visit the Cressi website at www.cressi.com in the DOWNLOAD area.
Product Usage Instructions
- This wetsuit should only be used by individuals who have received specific training for its use or who are accompanied by a certified instructor.
- Do not use the wetsuit with ballast systems that do not have quick-release mechanisms.
- The wetsuits can be divided into three groups based on their intended use. Refer to the provided schema to understand and use the wetsuit for the appropriate purpose. Using an unsuitable wetsuit may cause deterioration or damage.
- Always wear an undersuit, boots, gloves, and a hood (if not integrated) in conjunction with the wetsuit, especially in situations where the water temperature may expose the diver to the risk of hypothermia.
- To wear the wetsuit:
- Ensure the wetsuit is clean and free from any cuts or perforations. Use neoprene adhesive to seal any cuts or perforations.
- Put your legs into the wetsuit and gradually pull it up to the waist.
- Insert one arm into the wetsuit and, using the other hand, gently slide it up to the wrist, being careful not to damage the smooth neoprene if applicable.
- Repeat the previous step with the other arm.
- Adjust the wetsuit to ensure it fits properly, making sure the flap under the zipper is correctly positioned.
- If the wetsuit has a shoulder-to-shoulder zipper, grip the zipper handle and slowly pull it up or down to open or close the wetsuit.
- Before purchasing or using the wetsuit, make sure you are not allergic to neoprene, polyester, or nylon as these materials may cause allergic reactions in rare cases.
- Hand wash the wetsuit in cold water. Do not dry clean, bleach, tumble dry, or iron the wetsuit. Hang it in the shade to dry.
- Regularly inspect the wetsuit for cuts, perforations, and the condition of the zippers. If necessary, seal any cuts or perforations with neoprene adhesive. Lubricate the zippers with wax for metal zippers and the appropriate lubricant for TIZIP zippers.
- Dispose of the wetsuit in accordance with the regulations of your country.
The PPE covered by this instruction manual has been type-tested and certified in accordance with EU Regulation 2016/425 and in accordance with the harmonized standard EN 14225-1:2017 by Notified Body No. 0474 RINA, Via Corsica 12, 16128 GENOVA. The wetsuits described therein are manufactured by Cressi Sub Via Gelasio Adamoli, 501 – 16165 Genova, Italy. The EU Declaration of Conformity for this PPE can be viewed at www.cressi.com, in the “DOWNLOAD” area.
INTRODUCTION
This manual describes the use, maintenance and risks related to neoprene wetsuits for diving.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cressi wetsuits are made following production processes and using materials that make them highly reliable and durable. They are made to ensure protection against cold during diving. It is advisable, however, to observe certain conditions of use so that neither their quality nor your personal safety is affected.
- Always use wetsuits within the temperature limits of the thermal class to which the wetsuit belongs (see the table of thermal protection classes).
- Never wear the wetsuit in contaminated environments or environments with high levels of hydrocarbons. If wetsuits get in contact with gasoline or lubricants during those regular operations that take place in a boat, for instance, their integrity may be jeopardised.
- Wear the wetsuit only for the specific purpose it was made, never for purposes other than providing thermal insulation when diving.
- Always avoid impacts and abrasions, especially when you dive.
CAUTION: This wetsuit must be used only by persons who have been specifically and duly trained or who are accompanied by a certified instructor.
- Never exceed the maximum depth specified in your diving certification.
- Never use the wetsuit as a flotation or rescue device since it cannot guarantee a head up position of wearer at the surface.
- Never use the wetsuit with ballasting systems if it does not have quick-release devices.
MATERIALS
Cressi wetsuits are made using protective nylon-backed, insulating neoprene
rubber sheets. They serve to keep water off the skin, thus reducing heat
transfer. The sheets are joined together by means of special glue and blind
stitches that prevent the infiltration of water. In this way, cold water does
not get into direct contact with the body. To facilitate donning, plastic or
metal zippers have been added. They are positioned vertically on the front or
dorsal part of the body or horizontally behind the shoulders and have
underlying and overlying flaps to reduce the passage of water, to improve
comfort and to protect zippers against impacts or abrasion.
TYPES OF SUITS
Suits are designed for specific uses, and can be divided into three groups.
Consult the list below to understand your suit so you can use for its specific
purpose. Using a suit inappropriately could cause damage or deterioration.
- Suits designed for SCUBA diving with a breathing apparatus can have one or two pieces (jacket and trousers). The outside will never be manufactured with the Smoothskin type material, and the inside material will never be open-cell.
- Suits designed for freediving can have one or two pieces (jacket and trousers). The outside material will generally be made using Smoothskin, and the inside will generally be made with highly elastic nylon/polyester.
- Suits designed for underwater spearfishing can have one or two pieces (jacket and trousers) . They usually have a special padded reinforcement on the chest for loading the underwater speargun, and scratch-resistant material on the knees. The outside material will generally be made using Smoothskin or nylon/polyester, and the inside will generally be made using open-cell or coated material. The open-cell type ensures that the material adheres perfectly to the skin, enhancing the thermal factor, but liquid soap/gel must be used when putting it on to avoid damaging the suit. The coated type ensures good thermal properties and it also slides more, and if you dress carefully, it can be put on without the need for liquid soap.
THERMAL PROTECTION
The thermal protection that a wetsuit can guarantee depends on some important
factors:
- Water temperature
- Duration of dive
- Diver’s morphology
- Diver’s physiology
- Fatigue
- Thermal properties of material
Some of these factors are beyond the characteristics of the product and therefore, it is important to know how variable they are when facing temperature variations of the environment. To determine the model of Cressi wetsuits that best suits your needs, check the thermal protection class indicated on the product and refer to the table at the end of this booklet.
CAUTION: While you are diving, you may encounter dangerous situations in which the body is overheated or excessively cooled (hyperthermia and hypothermia). Therefore, during summer or if you are in a tropical area avoid wearing the wetsuit while on the surface for a long time exposed to the sun, this associated or not to physical fatigue. The same applies for long hours in cold water or exposure on the surface in winter. In combination with your wetsuit, wear an undersuit vest, booties, gloves and hood (if not integral) in every situation in which water temperature may expose the diver to the risk of hypothermia.
FITTING
- It is essential that the wetsuit snug fit the diver’s body without being too tight. It should never be an obstacle to the normal movements and above all, breathing. Make sure to be able to join your hands over your head, touch your toes and bend your knees easily. It is very important that the wetsuit does not impair the expansion of your ribcage. Take a deep breath to try this. Also pay attention to the seals at the neck, wrists and ankles that must be adequate but not too tight. In fact, blood flowing to the hands, feet and head can be adversely affected, thus causing loss of sensitivity or fainting.
- On the contrary, a too loose wetsuit will let water come in/out and circulate, creating a flow which can lead to a considerable loss of heat. Choose the proper size of wetsuit so that folds or pockets of water do not form due to excess material. In fact, when you move, these ‘empty’ spaces would create depressions that would further help the water come in.
- Refer to the table at the end of this booklet to determine the most appropriate correspondence between your sizes and the standard sizes of Cressi wetsuits.
The procedure to properly put on your wetsuit is as follows:
-
Remove all rings, bracelets, watches or necklaces that could damage the neoprene elements, scratch your skin or injure you.
-
Turn over the trunk of the wetsuit and fold it on the legs from the waist down.
-
Whenever possible, sit down, get a foot into the leg of the wetsuit by holding the fabric at the level of the calf and pass the foot through the lower opening; then fit the rest of the leg.
-
Repeat the operation with the other leg.
-
Lift the wetsuit until the crotch is at the correct position.
-
Insert the first arm and fit it with the help of the other hand up to the cuff, taking care not to damage the neoprene if it is smooth.
-
Repeat the operation with the other arm.
-
Arrange the wetsuit paying attention that the flap under the zipper is properly placed.
-
For wetsuits with shoulder-to-shoulder zippers, grip the top of the neck with both hands (fingers inside and thumbs outside). Widen and pass the head. Fit the neck so that it is comfortable.
-
Close the zipper making sure that its different parts are not caught, or that its folds do not hinder your movements.
To this purpose, for vertical zippers, close and open the zipper while you are standing, whereas for horizontal shoulder-to-shoulder zippers, stretch your arms forward holding them at the same height. Make sure that the slider reaches the end stop to prevent any accidental opening or water infiltrations. -
For two-piece wetsuits, put on the trousers following steps from 1 to 5; if there is a salopette, fit the arms through the shoulder straps.
Turn up the trunk of the jacket (open the zipper, if any) and insert the arms as instructed in points 6 and 7. With the help of both hands fit your head in the hood and then unfold the jacket onto your torso. Close the zipper (if any).
Close the beavertail. -
If the wetsuit features leg and arm end cuffs, remember to turn them up before wearing.
-
If hood is a separate piece, put in on last.
ALLERGIES
The materials used to make a wetsuit may seldom cause allergic reactions.
Before buying or using a wetsuit, make sure you are not allergic to neoprene,
polyester or nylon.
PRE-DIVE CHECKS
Before each dive, make sure the wetsuit is in good condition by checking that
seams, seals and fabric are not damaged and that the zipper is working
correctly and not damaged either.
WHILE DIVING
As depth increases so does pressure; and the neoprene used to make wetsuits
undergoes a flattening effect that considerably changes its volume, thus
altering the suits’ floating capacity.
As a result of this, it should be remembered that during diving and deep
increase, the diver’s buoyancy tends to become negative, and that the safest
way to compensate this is to wear a jacket. It is therefore advisable to
attend a training course at a recognised diving school. It should also be
remembered that the amount of ballast to be used is very important and, in
principle, it must facilitate the diver to keep a neutral position with the
reserve pressure cylinder at -3 m. Another very important phenomenon related
to depth increase and neoprene compression is the loss of insulating capacity
and consequently a greater cooling of the human body. When a wetsuit gets
thinner due to pressure, it losses some of its characteristics and so permits
a higher heat exchange between man and environment. There is also drop in
temperature compared to that of surface waters. Divers who plan to stay
underwater for long periods of time must, in order to avoid dangerous
hypothermia, pay attention to the cooling process their bodies undergo and
protect it by wearing undersuits or thicker wetsuits.
AFTER DIVING CHECKS
After each dive, check that the wetsuit has not been damaged; if it has,
repair it as soon as possible. If special repairs are needed, contact an
authorised Cressi supplier.
CLEANING AND DISINFECTION
After each use, rinse the wetsuit well with fresh water both inside and
outside trying to remove any sand and debris. Hang to dry in the shade if
possible. Thoroughly hand wash on a regular basis with cold water and a mild
detergent for delicate clothing. Do not dry clean. Do use a washing machine.
Do not bleach. Do not iron.
HAND WASH IN COLD WATER DO NOT DRY CLEAN DO NOT BLEACH HANG IN THE SHADE TO DRY DO NOT USE A DRYER DO NOT IRON
CARE
It is always a good measure to check that the wetsuit does not have any cuts
and perforations. If it does, use special glue for neoprene to repair.
Check that the zippers are in good condition and that there are not any
foreign particles in between their teeth that hinder proper running. If you
find it difficult to open/ close zippers, lubricate them. Use paraffin wax for
metal zippers and a suitable lubricant for TIZIPs.
STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
Keep the wetsuit hanging on a hanger in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Do not fold and avoid compressing the neoprene. Carry your wetsuit in a
special bag for diving equipment and avoid folding it in excess, especially
near the zippers. If the wetsuit has metal zippers, it is advisable to store
it so that the sleeves and the zipper wrap the rest of the garment without
creating sharp folds, but so that they follow an arc of wide range.
DISPOSAL
Dispose of the wetsuit strictly following the legislation in force in the
country where you do this.
WARRANTY
CRESSI EUROPEAN WARRANTY
In accordance with Directive 1999/44/EC the Cressi Warranty covers products
due to lack of conformity and operation defects. To improve the service
offered to clients and consumers and to assert the efficiency and quality of
the company’s manufacturing processes, Cressi have decided to extend the
warranty terms as follows: Our wetsuits are guaranteed for two (2) years from
the date of purchase (24 months for lack of conformity defects). Exceptions:
Damaged caused by scratches, pricks, abrasion, or chemicals (including
chlorine), damage resulting from exposure to sun, negligence, shocks or normal
wear and tear.
SIZE CHARTS
Cressi Sub s.p.a. Via Gelasio Adamoli, 501 16165 Genova Italia EU