How To Clean Your Diving Gear After Diving

Washing your diving gear after diving is important because it will help keep your diving gear in working order and extend its life. All diving gear is an investment, so it is worth the time and effort to clean it properly after each and every dive. The sand that comes in contact with your diving gear along with the salt, if you are in saltwater, can damage the diving equipment if not rinsed soon after your diving trip. To clean your diving gear properly, you will need to focus on the specific way in which each item should be cleaned most effectively.

The first thing you might want to clean is your regulator. To clean the regulator, you need to start by ensuring that your dust cap is in place, as this will ensure that water will not leak into the internal workings of the regulator, where moisture can cause damage. Once you are sure that your dust cap is secured, you should put the entire regulator in a bathtub or sink full of fresh water. Allow the regulator to soak in the water for five minutes and then allow it to air dry.

You will also need to clean the BCD (buoyancy compensation device) after diving. The first thing you will need to do is put it in a bathtub or sink full of fresh water and move it up and down to rinse away any dirt and salt. Next, you need to rinse out the inside of your BCD, which you can do by pushing the deflate button of the low pressure inflator while simultaneously pouring fresh water into the exhaust valve. When the bladder is ¼ of the way filled, shake the BCD to rinse the inside thoroughly. Empty the water through the exhaust valve, and then hang to dry.

Your wetsuit and any other clothing items you wear to dive, such as gloves and booties, also need to be rinsed in fresh water. You can buy wetsuit wash, which is available at your dive supply shop. To wash the wetsuit and clothing, simply put them in fresh water and move them up and down. After you have done this a few times, turn the wetsuit inside out to ensure that all the salt or dirt is removed from there, as well. When thoroughly rinsed, hang the wetsuit, booties, and gloves up and allow them to air dry.

When cleaning your diving equipment, don’t forget about other items such as fins, masks, and snorkels. This type of equipment should also be submerged in fresh water and agitated to ensure that any salt and sand is removed. If you have a dive camera or a dive computer, you will want to rinse these as well. Depending on the model of your computer and camera, you may want to allow it to sit in the fresh water for 30 to 60 minutes. Allow to air dry. Do not open the camera housing until it is dry.