Scuba Equipment Care and Storage

Posted: Feb 13 in Dive Blog tagged Scuba Equipment by Jan

Because we each rely on our scuba equipment to keep us safe and comfortable underwater, taking good care of it should be a priority. Whether you’re investing in gear for the first time after scuba diving certification or hope to boost the longevity of well-used equipment, caring for your equipment is essential in keeping it reliable and ready for the next dive.

Though cylinders and regulators may need a little more maintenance, you can care for the majority of your scuba equipment in Illinois by simply:

Rinsing

Unless you’re taking the plunge in crystal clear spring water, every dive can expose your equipment to dirt, salt and sediment, which cause corrosion and impede your equipment’s performance if not properly washed away. Salt is especially problematic—as it crystallizes and expands, it can puncture BCD bladders and corrode steel, aluminum and brass.

After every dive, you should rinse all of your equipment with warm, fresh water, ideally while it is still moist from the dive. Because salt will crystallize on your scuba equipment as it dries, it’s best to keep your suit wet or soak it in fresh water overnight and rinse it later if you can’t rinse it immediately. You can also find specialized sprays that dissolve salt effectively. As you rinse your gear, be careful to not aim high-pressure streams at your valves, gauges or regulators, which can break seals if a particle of sediment gets wedged between an O-ring and the metal.

Drying

Once your scuba equipment is rinsed, don’t just shove it back in your gear bag—to prevent mildew, you’ll need to let it air dry. Keep your equipment somewhere with good air circulation, but out of direct sunlight. Hang your suit on a plastic hanger that won’t rust and keep all your other gear in an open area where water can easily drain.

Storing

Your scuba equipment may have manufacturer-recommended storing methods, and you should follow them if this is the case. Without more explicit instructions, follow these general guidelines:

• Keep everything out of direct sunlight and away from car exhaust, electric motors and other ozone sources.
• Store rubber products without bending or folding them.
• Keep clear silicone items from rubbing against black silicone items to prevent discoloration.
• Store your suit on a broad hanger, ideally one designed for this purpose.
• Keep rubber products sealed in plastic bags if storing for long periods.
• Test and inspect each piece of gear before the next use.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to get a long, reliable life out of your scuba equipment in Illinois. For more tips on caring for and storing your scuba equipment, stop by our dive shop or check out your manufacturer’s recommendations.