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How To Keep Your Diving Equipment Well-Maintained
Once you’ve invested in quality scuba diving apparatus and clothing, you’ll want it to keep you safe as often as you dive. The combination of sun, sea, and sand can seriously affect the condition of your scuba gear. And storing your kit properly can make all the difference to how long it lasts. See how to keep your diving equipment well-maintained here…
Storage Tips
How to care for diving equipment includes the importance of proper storage. Keeping your gear inside a dive bag is an ideal option. This ensures your scuba equipment stays dry and protected. And means you’re organised and ready to go on your next dive.
If you don’t have a dive bag store your gear in a dark and cool room. Remember to make sure it’s all completely dry before you pack it up. Use damp-proof boxes. And coil your regulator hoses to avoid kinking. It’s a good idea to keep packaging that items such as masks came in to re-use them for storing.
Hang your wetsuit on a plastic wide hanger as metal ones will rust and stain. Slim hangers can warp and stretch material. Don’t be tempted to put items onto the floor as you risk them being trodden on. You can also hang hoses and tubes to breathe and dry out before you put them away.
Don’t ever leave your diving equipment in direct sunlight as the UV rays will break down fabric and rubber. To prevent particles of sand getting into regulators and valves avoid placing your gear on the beach. Rinsing in water after each dive will get rid of any grit.
Cleaning and Maintenance Hints
Wetsuit Care
You can wash your wetsuit with diluted washing up liquid or appropriate wetsuit cleaner to keep it fresh. Turn it inside out to dry as this helps to preserve the outer layer.
Scuba Regulator Upkeep
Dry the dust cap with a towel. Rinse the regulator with fresh water to get rid of salty deposits. Then soak in warm water for about 15 minutes to dissolve any engrained remnants. Run fresh water through any open ports. You can use vinegar to clean the threads and seals. And put silicone grease on joints to give a long-term seal.
Let your regulator dry thoroughly before storing it. It’s recommended that you have your regulator professionally serviced every six months or 50 dives.
BCD Attention
To break up any salt deposits on your buoyancy control device you need to inflate and deflate it underwater. This ensures the interior will be cleaned as well. And gets rid of salt crystals that may create pinholes and damage the air bladder.
Remove the valve to clean the parts. Let water flow through the release points, and then reassemble. Store your BCD partly inflated. This prevents the bladder walls from sticking to one another. The outer rubber will also benefit from an application of rubber or silicone spray if you intend to store it for a while.
You need to test your BCD before diving to ensure it’s working properly. Follow manufacturers instructions to see how often you need to have your BCD serviced.
Cylinder Overhaul
You shouldn’t drain cylinders completely of gas. Rinse thoroughly after diving paying particular attention to the valve areas. Take off the tank boot regularly to make sure salt or other debris isn’t allowed to build-up. Professional inspections are needed every year. And hydrostatic tests performed every five years.
Dive Computer Caution
Knowing how to operate your dive computer properly will allow you to become familiar with the settings. Including emergency modes. Begin with soaking it in fresh water for about five minutes. Press all of the buttons a few times to ease out any remaining saltwater.
Check the battery icon and replace as necessary. Then dry and store in the appropriate carrying pouch.
Mask, Snorkel and Fin Maintenance
You can simply clean your mask using degreasing washing up liquid by soaking it in this soapy water for 12 hours. Follow with a rinse of warm water and let it dry.
Snorkels and fins can be washed with a small amount of soapy water and a sponge. Use an old toothbrush to get onto awkward areas and scrape out sand and grit particles.
Rinsing all your gear with lukewarm fresh water will protect against corrosion. And keep it in tip-top condition so that you’re always ready to go scuba diving.
Have a Water Adventure
Scuba diving in Cancun, Mexico with Koox will be an experience of a lifetime. Whether you’re a beginner or an accomplished diver you’ll be able to explore stunning reefs and cenotes. Dive with whale sharks. Take part in a crocodile night tour. And the Koox diving team will take care of everything. Including teaching you how to use scuba diving equipment properly. All you need to do is enjoy!
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