Cleaning Gear in the Rain

[Jeff Toorish]

I am diligent about cleaning my gear after every dive, or diving day as appropriate. That normally means a dunk in the tank or tub and then hanging it to dry. After every ten dives or so, I soak the gear and use a commercial cleaner lightly.

So, I'm wondering, considering all the rain we've had in New England lately, does anyone simply leave their gear outside overnight for the rain to rinse?

Jeff

 

[H2Andy]

i would not

you need chlorine (at a minimum) to kill stuff that may stink your gear up, and that means tapwater

i have never (yup... never) used any chemical cleaners for my gear, just
rinse in tapwater and let dry ... no smells, no nothing... works well

 

[redrover]

I wouldn’t, although last night’s deluge may have worked fine. Do use collected rain water though.

 

[Marcosis]

Cleaning gear for me takes longer than my dives.I live in Florida and dive saltwater only.I disassemble and flush everything then soak overnight after every dive.Then hang to dry in garage.I live by the beach and know what salt can do.Plus it gives me time to play with my gear.

 

[spectrum]

No but Lorna and I do keep raincoats in the gear locker so we can rinse in the rain without getting toatally soaked. I'll wear mine when I flush the BCs if it's cold out.

Even though the visibility has been holding up reasonably I have heard that bioburden has been running high so a real good dunking rinse is probably more important than ever.

I refill my dunk barrels after each rinse session. When I return from diving they are usually nicely warmed by the sun (Even last night at 10:00) and quite pleasurable.

Even though I'm in a quite neighborhood my dive gear represents too much $$ to leave out and even if I had a secure courtyard or gatted yard the inevitable sun exposure would not be good.

Total time :30 give or take 10 minutes. Less if my wife also dove and is thus helping and maybe a little longer if we have stuff like a picnic cooler or porta-poti to deal with

http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/scuba_love.html

Nice idea though Jeff and there have been nights when I've been tempted..

Pete

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

So, I'm wondering, considering all the rain we've had in New England lately, does anyone simply leave their gear outside overnight for the rain to rinse?

No ... besides the fact that leaving it in the rain wouldn't do a proper job, I'd be too concerned about having to log onto eBay to get it back ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Damselfish]

Even the heaviest rain will probably miss spots, especially the inside of your BC. I might consider leaving it out there for a rainwater rinse sometimes though. Kinda depends where you live.

Chlorine is not necessary. For me tapwater means well water - no chlorine.

 

[jbisjim]

you need chlorine (at a minimum) to kill stuff that may stink your gear up, and that means tapwaterl

Yeah I agree, gotta kill the stink.... I sometime do a quick dump in my pool and then rinse with fresh water too.

i know we have all baked our gear in the trunk for a few days.... :shakehead

 

[Jersey Chris]

I would not be that comfortable letting it sit in the rain. Sometimes there is a pretty good acid content. I just have a large garbage can that sits in my garage that I let the gear sit and soak for a day or two, then let it dry before putting it away.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Okay...just so we are clear, I don't do it. I was just wondering.

Now how about putting it on and rolling around in the snow?

J