articles search
Basic Care of Scuba Equipment
06/07/2009 - By Maria Belgado Learn to care for your Scuba Gear.
Scuba diving is an equipment intensive sport. Most of the gear divers purchase can be expensive such as the regulators, buoyancy compensation devices and dive computers. It’s necessary, therefore, to take care of these costly devices, in order to keep them in proper working condition and make sure they last as long as possible. Here are some tips on how to properly care for all your scuba gear.
The Basics
After each dive, make sure to wash all your gear thoroughly, especially if you’ve been diving in the ocean. Salt water residue left behind on scuba equipment can corrode metallic parts and cause wear on other pieces. After washing, they should be dried (not in direct sunlight) and stored in a cool, dry place.
Mask, Snorkel and Fins
When entering the water, always secure your mask to prevent it from dislodging. Also, avoid placing it on your forehead, as it can easily be dislodged. Place it around your neck instead. Do not use alcohol, oil, gasoline or any other chemicals to clean the mask, snorkel or fins. Do not use aerosols sprays on the items, as these may cause the silicon or plastic materials to degrade.
Regulators
Regs are probably the most important piece of equipment a scuba diver owns, and should be regularly serviced. It is recommended that regulators be checked out every 12 months or more frequently if you dive more than 75 times per year. You should not only wash regulators, but it should be soaked in warm, fresh water as well. Keep the dust cap in place whenever the regulator is not being used, to keep moisture from entering the first stage.
Buoyancy Compensators
Aside from rinsing the outside thoroughly to get the dirt and sand out, the insides should be cleaned as well. Fill the bladder to about a third (through the oral inflation hose) and slosh the water around, turning it upside down. Release the water via the valve, allowing the water to flow out. Repeat this several times to wash out all the saltwater and sediments from the inside of the BCD. Test the buttons (inflator and deflator) to make sure they work properly and do not stick. Afterwards, hang the BCD upside-down to dry and store partially inflated, to prevent the materials inside from sticking together.
Wet Suit
Make sure that your wetsuit is completely clean and dry before storing it. Salt crystals may damage the suit and any moisture can encourage mold growth. If the suit has a moldy smell, then wash it with a specialized soap (any good diveshop can recommend one), or if the case is too extreme, it may be time to buy a new suit. Never keep a suit stored away folded, always flat or hanging from a wide hanger. Creases or folds could be set in permanently, and decrease its flexibility and insulating ability.
Following all these steps will make sure that your equipment will always be in tip-top shape. Having your gear in excellent working condition will not only save you money, but will save you trouble when you’re in the water.