How to Don an Immersion Suit — Step by Step with SOLAS Donning Time Explained
How to Don an Immersion Suit — Step by Step
I wont lie, this is a boring article to write, but I have to, it couldd be life or death. Most people only put on an immersion suit for the first time during a drill. By then, the clock is already running. Here is exactly how to don one correctly — step by step — from someone who has done it more times than I can count.
What Does SOLAS Actually Require?
According to the IMO LSA Code, Chapter 2, Section 2.3.1.1, an immersion suit must be capable of being unpacked and donned without assistance within 2 minutes. This includes any associated clothing and a lifejacket if the suit is designed to be worn with one.
Two minutes sounds tight, doesn’t it? In practice, with familiarity and a bit of practice, it is very achievable. Without either — it is a real challenge. Which is exactly why reading this matters.
Before You Start — Familiarise Yourself First
Every immersion suit is slightly different. Manufacturers vary. Vessels vary. The suit on your current platform may not be identical to the last one you used.
Before you even think about donning, take ten seconds to look at the suit. Does it have a splash cover? Where is the zip? Are there separate gloves or integrated ones? Is there a face seal? Ten seconds of familiarisation before a drill — or before you ever need it in an emergency — is time very well spent.
Step by Step — How to Don an Immersion Suit
Admittedly its much easier to explain it with one in front of you but at least this will give you some tips beforehand on how to don an immersion suit:
Step 1 — Remove from the bag
Immersion suits are packed into a bag and can be surprisingly heavy. Pull the suit out fully and lay it out in front of you. Make sure the zip is facing towards you — this is your starting point.
Step 2 — Sit down
This is the single biggest practical tip I can give you I have been hopping around trying to get one one, it makes life so much easier. The immersion suit is an all-in-one garment so also takes up a lot of space, just find a suitable location.
Step 3 — Legs first
With the suit open in front of you, feed your legs in first. Push all the way down until your feet reach the bottom of the suit. Do not rush this — make sure your feet are properly seated at the foot of the suit before moving on. The material can snag at times, just wiggle in.
Step 4 — Arms in
Stand up carefully once your legs are in and slide your arms into the sleeves. Pull the suit up and over your shoulders fully.
Step 5 — Hood up
Get your hood positioned correctly over your head before you zip up. Make sure all your hair is tucked in — loose hair getting caught in the zip is a common problem and it compromises the seal.
Step 6 — Zip up carefully
The zip on an immersion suit is heavy duty and deliberately stiff — it needs to create a watertight seal under pressure. Take care not to rush it. The zip loves to catch on clothing, the suit material itself, or hair. A ripped or compromised zip means water ingress — and water ingress in cold conditions reduces your survival time significantly. Work the zip slowly and steadily all the way to the top.
Step 7 — Check every fastening
Once zipped, go through every fastening systematically. Velcro tabs, wrist seals, ankle seals, the splash cover if the suit has one. Any gap, however small, is a point where cold water can enter. In calm training conditions a small gap is uncomfortable. In rough seas with waves breaking over you, it matters a great deal more.
Step 8 — The buddy check (My recommendation)
As a PADI Divemaster I have always applied the buddy check approach to safety equipment — and immersion suits are no exception. Once you are suited up, check your colleague’s suit and ask them to check yours. A fresh pair of eyes will spot a twisted seal, a partially open zip, or a loose fastening that you missed. In a real emergency this check takes thirty seconds and could make the difference.
Is Two Minutes Actually Achievable?
Yes — but practice makes perfect. The first time most people don an immersion suit it takes considerably longer than two minutes. By the third or fourth time, with familiarity, two minutes is very comfortable.
If you are offered the opportunity to practise during a drill or during training — say yes. Every time. Familiarity with the specific suit on your vessel is the single most important factor in how quickly and correctly you can don it under pressure. In a panicked emergency, you don’t want to be scratching your head with a suit you haven’t seen before
A Note on Cold Water Shock
Here is what actually happens when you hit cold water for the first time without proper face protection — and I say this from real experience both offshore and as a Divemaster. The moment cold water hits your face you will involuntarily gasp. You cannot control it. It is a physiological reflex called cold water shock and it happens to everyone regardless of how experienced or calm they are.
In calm conditions that gasp is unpleasant. In rough seas with waves breaking over you it can mean inhaling sea water directly into your lungs. That is a drowning risk — not a minor inconvenience.
The technique that helps is simple. As you enter the water, pinch your nose with one hand to control that initial gasp reflex, keep your mouth closed, and brace for the cold. Once you are in and have had a second to adjust, get your splash cover up and properly sealed across your face immediately. Do not wait. Cold water shock passes within about 60 to 90 seconds but those first moments in the water are the most dangerous.
This is not something most donning guides mention. It should be the first thing they teach.
Internal link: For full details on SOLAS compliance requirements for immersion suits including inspection intervals, see our guide to Immersion Suit SOLAS Requirements.
Always refer to the specific instructions provided with your vessel’s immersion suits and follow your onboard emergency procedures. Requirements are governed by SOLAS LSA Code Chapter 2, Section 2.3 — always verify against current IMO documentation at imo.org.
