How to clean a bc after saltwater use

[bosshogg357]

I did the fill the inflator and swish back and forth several times with fresh water. However, I have read on here where some actually take the inflator valve off. I am not experienced in that regard. Is this something I need to do?
Thanks,

I also added air afterwards.

 

[dlndavid]

I have never cleaned my BC other than by soaking, filling and swishing. Check out this thread for some cleaning tips.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=99199

 

[dbg40]

I never disassemble my valve, I just use a plastic cup to pour water into the hose, this way it gets into everything. Salt water is the devil in a BC, over time it will abrade the inside of your BC, and every other part it touches. I use mirazyme on everything to remove the salt by filling a tub and soaking it after a rinse, then pour it in with the cup, swish and dump through the valves (all 3 to make sure they are all cleaned) Water alone wont remove the salt, and it will do its dirty work over time. then pertially inflate, and hang up to dry. The mirazyme will also help stop any mold from living in the bladder of your BC.

 

[jlyle]

I have almost 1,000 dives on my Aqualung BCD. I've never taken the low pressure inflator hose off and have never rinsed the inside of the BCD.

Salt water won't harm the bladder unless it's allowed to dry out. After a vacation or a weekend's diving, I hose the BCD off with fresh water.

For long term storage, you might want to rinse the inside of the bladder (no need to remove the inflator), soak in fresh water, and dry thoroughly before storing in a cool, dry location.

 

[Charlie99]

I did the fill the inflator and swish back and forth several times with fresh water. However, I have read on here where some actually take the inflator valve off. I am not experienced in that regard. Is this something I need to do?

I don't take the inflator valve off, but do sometimes unscrew one of the dump valves to make it easier to rinse out. Jamming a garden hose into an open pull dump is a lot easier than trying to pour water in through the oral inflator hose.

The pull dump fittings should unscrew easily --- if you have any doubts, just ask one of your buddies to show you how to remove it next time you're out diving. In fact, I've seen cases where the shoulder dump attached to the corrugated inflator hose has been pulled off by accident because the approx. 2" diameter plastic screw cover had loosened up. It's a good thing to check.

 

[ShakaZulu]

BC Cleaning Procedure:

1. Dismantle BP/W
2. Remove dumpvalve and corrugated inflator hose
3. Rinse BP and shoulder straps
4. Rinse single tank adaptor and straps
5. Rinse outside/inside of Wing Holder
6. Allow water to fill wing, then rinse it out
7. Rinse corrugated hose by allowing water to flow through it, activate inflate button

I know, I think it's too much, but the salt crystals can form in hours. This is also the only way I know all the sand is out of my gear.

 

[Kim]

I basically do the same as Shaka - except I have a Transpac rather than a backplate. It's very easy to remove/replace both the inflator hose and the dump valve so it just makes me feel that I'm getting it really clean.

 

[Mandy3206]

Just to protect my $600.00+ investment, I do exactly as Shaka said everytime I clean my BP/W setup, I would add that you rinse between the bladder and outer shell through the zipper on top of the wing.

 

[Mandy3206]

Sorry, just noticed that step 5 in Shakas list covers it