Creating rock salt in a BC

[ibj40]

Unless the BCD is leaking, you should not get any salt crystals. The formation of crystals from seawater requires evaporation.

But the bottle cap is a real puzzle.

I was wondering the same thing!

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I've seen rock salt as well in BC's. If you think about it, a little salt water is added each time you dive, if you store the BC inflated, then this should allow the water to evaporate leaving salt residue. If you only add a little more salt water each time and never drain completely, the crystals will not dissolve and it is easy to see how this can accululate.

I generally try to run a quart or two of freshwater into the BC after every dive trip, and then drain it out the inflator and deflator mechanism. A brine solution can be very corrosive to the inflator and rock salt can cut the bladder and cause problems. If I am not sure if it is rinsed well enough, I taste the water comming out, If it is salty, then it gets another quick rinse. It takes only a minute or so to rinse the BC.