Immersion Suit Donning Procedure
Immersion Suit Donning Procedure — Step by Step
The immersion suit donning procedure is one of those skills that everyone who works offshore practices in training and hopes never to need in an emergency. The difference between doing it correctly and getting it wrong in a real emergency is the difference between being properly protected in cold water and not.
Here is the correct procedure, step by step.
Before You Start — Know Your Suit
Every immersion suit is slightly different. The location of the zip pull, the type of splash cover, the glove system, the hood attachment — all vary between manufacturers and models. The most important preparation you can do is familiarise yourself with the specific suit on your vessel before you ever need it in an emergency.
Pick it up. Find the zip. Find the zip pull. Find the hood. Find the wrist seals. Do this at the dock, in daylight, when you are calm. That familiarisation is what allows you to don it in the dark, in rough conditions, under pressure. Solas requirements here.
The Correct Donning Procedure
Follow this sequence every time:
Step 1 — Remove from bag and identify orientation
Remove the suit from its bag and lay it flat. Identify the front — zip should be facing up. Find the zip pull and confirm the zip is fully open before doing anything else. Time: 10 seconds.
Step 2 — Sit down
Always sit down to don an immersion suit. Standing and trying to step into the legs wastes time and risks falling. Sit on the floor, a bench, or the deck. Time: 5 seconds.
Step 3 — Feet in first
Feed both legs into the suit feet first. Push your feet all the way to the bottom of the suit so your feet are inside the integral boots. Do not try to rush this — if your feet are not fully in the boots the suit will not close properly. Time: 30 seconds.
Step 4 — Stand and pull up
Stand and pull the suit up over your waist and torso. Slide your arms in. Time: 20 seconds.
Step 5 — Hood up
Pull the hood over your head. Tuck any loose hair inside the hood to prevent it breaking the face seal. The hood seal around your face is critical — it prevents cold water ingress when you are in the water. Time: 10 seconds.
Step 6 — Close the zip
This is the step most people rush and get wrong. The immersion suit zip is deliberately stiff — it needs to be to create a watertight seal. Close it slowly and steadily from bottom to top without forcing it. Any resistance means something is caught in the zip — stop, free it, continue. Do not force the zip. Time: 30 seconds.
Step 7 — Secure the splash guard
Once the zip is fully closed, fold the splash guard over the zip and secure it with the velcro fastening. This provides secondary protection against water ingress at the zip. Time: 10 seconds.
Step 8 — Buddy check
Have another person check your zip is fully closed, your hood seal is correct, your wrist seals are not folded, and the splash guard is secured. In a solo situation do your own check. Time: 15 seconds.
Total: approximately 2 minutes with practice
The Most Common Mistakes
Rushing the zip — the number one cause of a poorly donned suit. A forced zip can jam, skip teeth, or fail to seal. Slow down on the zip even when everything else is rushed.
Feet not fully in the boots — if your feet are not at the bottom of the suit the legs are bunched up and the suit will not sit correctly on your body. Take the extra 10 seconds to push your feet fully in.
Not sitting down — trying to stand and step into the suit legs is significantly slower and more difficult than sitting. Always sit.
Hair outside the hood — long hair breaking the hood seal allows cold water to flood inside the hood when you enter the water. Tuck it in.
Not doing a buddy check — a zip that appears closed from the outside can have missed teeth or an unsealed section. A buddy check catches this every time.
Maintaining the Suit for Reliable Donning
A suit that is maintained correctly dons faster and more reliably than a neglected one.
Keep the zip lubricated — use a silicone-based zipper lubricant applied to the closed zip and worked in by running the zip back and forth several times. Do this every few months and before any offshore mobilisation.
Store with the zip open — never store the suit with the zip closed under compression. This distorts the seal over time.
Service annually — have the suit inspected at an approved service centre annually. A serviced suit with a properly maintained zip is one that will don correctly when you need it.
Donning in Difficult Conditions
The 2 minute SOLAS standard is measured under controlled training conditions. In a real emergency — moving vessel, darkness, rough weather, adrenaline, possible injury — the same procedure takes longer. This is why regular practice matters.
Every drill opportunity is a chance to reduce your donning time and build muscle memory. If you are offered a chance to practise donning your immersion suit — always take it. The goal is for the procedure to become automatic, not something you have to think through step by step.
FAQs
How often should I practise the donning procedure?
Every time you have the opportunity — every drill, every training session. Most offshore workers find their donning time reduces significantly after 5 to 10 practice sessions with the same suit.
Can I don an immersion suit alone?
Yes — the SOLAS requirement specifies donning without assistance. A buddy check afterwards is recommended but you should be able to complete the procedure entirely alone.
What should I do if the zip jams during donning?
Stop. Do not force it. Apply gentle backwards pressure to release any catch, then re-approach the jam slowly. In an emergency a partially zipped suit provides some protection — continue donning as best you can and get in the water. A partially donned suit is better than no suit.
What should I wear underneath?
Normal working clothes are fine. The suit is designed to be worn over regular clothing. Do not attempt to don an immersion suit over heavy foul weather gear or thick layers — the suit will not close correctly.
Always follow the donning procedure specified by your specific suit manufacturer. Practice with the actual suit you will use offshore — procedures vary between manufacturers. marinesafetyguide.com participates in affiliate programmes including Amazon Associates and may earn a small commission on purchases made through links on this site, at no extra cost to you.
