I know there are several threads on this, but here's my procedure. It took me a while to figure out what I think is a pretty efficient process, so I thought I'd add this to the archives for anyone searching threads.
Note: I'm one of those type-A guys who keeps his cars washed and waxed, all my gear still looks brand new, etc. The cleaning process is really the prep for the next dive. I like being able to load up and go diving on a moment's notice, so doing all the work in advance is useful.
I have two big plastic tubs with lids. I got mine at Target for $6 each. One is a dry tub, and one is a wet tub. Put everything that stays dry in the dry tub: save a dive kit, tools, sunscreen, granola bars, new water bottles, dive log, etc. I keep clean towels in the dry tub, too. The rest is almost self-explanatory, but the concept of the wet and dry tubs was the big epiphany for me when I learned this from a buddy. I keep my weights in a separate weight bag.
After the dive, at the car: I throw everything wet into the wet tub: wetsuit, hood, BC, fins, bathing suit, wet towels, etc. I towel dry my regs and put them on top of the pile.
At home: rinse/soak everything in the wet tub. (I pressurize my regs and give them a good soak, too.) When done soaking, remove items and hang to dry (I towel dry a lot of items, but that's just me being anal). The wet tub then gets dumped and towel dried so it is now 100% dry. As items dry off or get towel dried, they go back into the wet tub for the next dive. I keep my wetsuit on a hangar, everything else eventually ends up in the (now dry) wet tub. All I have to do next is get my tanks filled, and I'm ready to dive again.
Since some items take a while to completely dry, it may be 24-48 hours before the tubs are fully stocked and ready to dive, but they always hang in the same place so I remember to put them back when ready. If I dive sooner than that, it's fine to load up with wet gear since that is what the web tub is for.
To go diving, I just need my tanks, wet tub, dry tub, weight bag, and wetsuit. 1,2,3,4,5 and I know I didn't forget anything.
The only items I don't bother drying off are my weights -- I just throw them back into my weight bag and let them fester.
Note: I'm one of those type-A guys who keeps his cars washed and waxed, all my gear still looks brand new, etc. The cleaning process is really the prep for the next dive. I like being able to load up and go diving on a moment's notice, so doing all the work in advance is useful.
I have two big plastic tubs with lids. I got mine at Target for $6 each. One is a dry tub, and one is a wet tub. Put everything that stays dry in the dry tub: save a dive kit, tools, sunscreen, granola bars, new water bottles, dive log, etc. I keep clean towels in the dry tub, too. The rest is almost self-explanatory, but the concept of the wet and dry tubs was the big epiphany for me when I learned this from a buddy. I keep my weights in a separate weight bag.
After the dive, at the car: I throw everything wet into the wet tub: wetsuit, hood, BC, fins, bathing suit, wet towels, etc. I towel dry my regs and put them on top of the pile.
At home: rinse/soak everything in the wet tub. (I pressurize my regs and give them a good soak, too.) When done soaking, remove items and hang to dry (I towel dry a lot of items, but that's just me being anal). The wet tub then gets dumped and towel dried so it is now 100% dry. As items dry off or get towel dried, they go back into the wet tub for the next dive. I keep my wetsuit on a hangar, everything else eventually ends up in the (now dry) wet tub. All I have to do next is get my tanks filled, and I'm ready to dive again.
Since some items take a while to completely dry, it may be 24-48 hours before the tubs are fully stocked and ready to dive, but they always hang in the same place so I remember to put them back when ready. If I dive sooner than that, it's fine to load up with wet gear since that is what the web tub is for.
To go diving, I just need my tanks, wet tub, dry tub, weight bag, and wetsuit. 1,2,3,4,5 and I know I didn't forget anything.
The only items I don't bother drying off are my weights -- I just throw them back into my weight bag and let them fester.
