Cleaning BC

[citykid]

I was just rearranging out equipment when I heard something while grabbing my fiancé's BC.
She has a Zeagle Zena.
While moving the BC I heard what sounded like pebbles or rocks sliding around inside the bladder.
When I hit the purge valve to empty the excess air, some water came out. I know, I know, I'll yell at her later.
But apparently the bladder wasn't rinsed out enough.
Is that salt I hear? Last dives were mid October.
How much work/trouble is there now to do? Thanks!

 

[Rick Murchison]

I'd look in the pockets for whatever's rattling 'round.
As for the bladder, I'd put about a quart of fresh water in it, fill the rest with air and swish it around real well, then dump all the water out. Repeat that two or three times to make sure any salt that has accumulated is disolved and rinsed out.
Shouldn't be a big problem... but if something's still rattling 'round and you think it's in the bladder, have your shop check for loose parts from the inflator hose and/or dump valves.
Rick

 

[Charlie99]

I'd be more concerned about the inflator than about the BCD itself.

Unscrew the overpressure valves/dump valves to make sure that the sealing surfaces are clean. While you have them off, dump out anything that is rattling around inside. Figure out what the bits are if they are anything other that bits of salt. Rinse it, let it dry and go on with life. Blow it up and verify that it holds air.

IMO, the biggest thing to worry about is whether you have salt crystals in the power inflator that could cause it to leak or stick on.

 

[citykid]

Well, I did it. Thanks for the suggestions.

Opened the dump valve (unscrewed off) on the bottom of the bladder and we created sea salt!
Emptied it out best I could and thoroughly rinsed the inside with hot, fresh water.
Rinsed it out some more, then blew it up and it's hanging upside down drying.

The inflator valve and dump valves look no worse for wear.