Storing BCD

[MilkAndRelish]

Hello everyone,

Post #1... here goes...

I recently received my Open Water Certification and have officially been on... 5 dives. Wonderful. I love diving so far- the experience is absolutely unreal. Anyways, I purchased some gear on craigslist not the least of which is a BCD. I live in a tiny studio apartment and am trying to figure out how best to keep it fresh. Right now, I'm just letting it hang in my bathroom slightly inflated. However, the bathroom gets wet and the air moist from the shower. Is this an OK place to keep the BCD (and my other gear for that matter)? Would it be better to 'fold it' and put it in my Scuba Tub?

Let me know your thoughts!

-Eli

 

[SC_Hoaty]

Hello everyone,

Post #1... here goes...

I recently received my Open Water Certification and have officially been on... 5 dives. Wonderful. I love diving so far- the experience is absolutely unreal. Anyways, I purchased some gear on craigslist not the least of which is a BCD. I live in a tiny studio apartment and am trying to figure out how best to keep it fresh. Right now, I'm just letting it hang in my bathroom slightly inflated. However, the bathroom gets wet and the air moist from the shower. Is this an OK place to keep the BCD (and my other gear for that matter)? Would it be better to 'fold it' and put it in my Scuba Tub?

Let me know your thoughts!

-Eli

I have a hanger like this one:



I either use that, or keep it in my gear bag (which is mesh). Depends on when I might dive next.

If you have not yet used it on a dive, plan on a simple check-out-the-new-gear dive to get familiar with its features.

 

[MilkAndRelish]

I have a hanger like this one:

View attachment 159097

I either use that, or keep it in my gear bag (which is mesh). Depends on when I might dive next.

If you have not yet used it on a dive, plan on a simple check-out-the-new-gear dive to get familiar with its features.

Thanks for getting back to me. So would you recommend hanging it in a moist area rather than keeping it in a tub, protected from the moisture? I took it out diving yesterday and everything feels great with the BC.

 

[SOFDiver]

In general, all dive gear should be washed in fresh water, and once dry stored in a cool dry place. This goes for not only your BC but for reg set, wet suits, masks, and rubber fins. Plastic fins can stand a little more warm/damp. but will also do better cool and dry.

 

[SC_Hoaty]

Thanks for getting back to met. So would you recommend hanging it in a moist area rather than keeping it in a tub, protected from the moisture? I took it out diving yesterday and everything feels great with the BC.

I would NOT recommend a moist area - find another closet. If you use the tub, ensure it's dry before you store it, as the moisture can't escape the tub easily. (I'm envisioning something like a rubbermaid tub.) SOFDiver is spot on.

 

[MilkAndRelish]

In general, all dive gear should be washed in fresh water, and once dry stored in a cool dry place. This goes for not only your BC but for reg set, wet suits, masks, and rubber fins. Plastic fins can stand a little more warm/damp. but will also do better cool and dry.

Okay, great. So no need to HANG the BC as long as it isn't being kept in a wet environment? Like I said I'm in a tiny studio apartment so I only have 1 closet with all my dress shirts hanging in it.

It is a rubbermaid tub. Currently, that's being kept in the moist bathroom as well, but I figure it won't get much moisture inside of it.

 

[The Chairman]

Hang it in a dry closet.

 

[ibj40]

Hang it in a dry closet.

I agree. Using a hanger identical to the one shown above, I hang both my BCD and the regulator on it, and place them in an inside closet, along with my wetsuits (on their own hangers).

 

[SC_Hoaty]

Since the OP only has one (small) closet - should he evict his dress shirts to a free standing rack, and use the closet for scuba gear?

 

[MilkAndRelish]

Since the OP only has one (small) closet - should he evict his dress shirts to a free standing rack, and use the closet for scuba gear?

View attachment 159134

I think I'm going to get rid of my wardrobe (closet) which I've been wanting to do for a bit and convert a little cavern into a hanging closet instead. This will give me more room. I've been convinced!

Also, my apartment can get to 90-95 degrees during the day (it's basically a greenhouse). Is this too hot? I'm also considering buying a portable AC unit.