How/where to store equipment?

[SuzukiGirl]

We live in Western IL and over the summer we've accumulated four sets of complete gear (except tanks) for the four of us. Well now I need to store it for the winter. I have limited closet space, no basement (crawlspace) and no attached garage. I'm considering large rubbermaid tubs to store in the crawl space but I don't want to take a chance on damaging anything.

So, where/how do you store your gear?

 

[Notso_Ken]

We live in Western IL and over the summer we've accumulated four sets of complete gear (except tanks) for the four of us. Well now I need to store it for the winter. I have limited closet space, no basement (crawlspace) and no attached garage. I'm considering large rubbermaid tubs to store in the crawl space but I don't want to take a chance on damaging anything.

So, where/how do you store your gear?

Closet in the spare bedroom.

But, it is still just between dives. Just because winter comes does not mean diving is over.



Ken

 

[gtxl1200]

I hang mine in the furnace room in the basement. I got one of those expensive dive shop hangers. I hang drysuit and bc with regs right from the ceiling joists gets good air and it is off of the floor. Also like Ken says just because the so called labor day holiday which for some reason people think their supposed to stop living doesnt mean anything. Winter doesnt mean diving is over for me neither.

 

[medic001918]

We have a rack that we made hanging in our basement. It holds two complete sets of gear, including two drysuits & four wetsuits. We'll be putting up a duplicate to it this winter for our doubles rigs that are coming in the not to distant future.

I think it cost me about $30-40 for the stuff to make mine. Some 2 x 6's cut with a hole in them so they could be screwed to a rafter, and a piece of 1-1/2" roundstock cut to length. All available at home depot for pretty short money.

Shane

 

[Scubadude773]

Hi Everyone,
I store all of my gear in my garage. I have a heavyduty bench for keeping the sets of doubles so they are bungied to the wall, I keep the stage bottles and aluminum 80's underneath the bench to save on space. I usually have one set of set up and ready to go dive with at all times.
The drysuit is hung in the garage too.
My diving ""season"" never really ends in the winter too.
Safe Diving,
Robb

 

[moneysavr]

in my bedroom closet [dry-suit] as I will dive all year-
wet suits rolled nice in large drawers
keep no dry suit or wet suits near any type of electrical motors,
dont kink or fold them or lay any thing on top of them. I think the tub should work fine cool and dark is the best for wet suits and dry suits,,,,
BC keep a bit of air in them after you rinse the bladder out, your regs= GET SERVICED!!!
Not sure how to do any of this seek the advise of your local LDS they can be a great help.
Dive safe,
Brad

 

[Dive-aholic]

My gear gets stored in my van between dives. But then between dives for me means a couple of days...year round. The tub plan sounds like a good idea. Take some duct tape to the 4 sides to keep the lids from coming off in the crawl space. I'm not sure what kind of crawl space you're talking about, but my biggest concern would be critters getting in the bins.

 

[Chgoscubaguy]

Hi Suzukigirl-

I think the best way to store your equipment is in a large rubbermaid container as I current do. This way, you can store it just about anywhere and it will remain dry and free of dust and other particles. Make sure your container is big enough so that you don't have to bend any of your equipment (fins/hoses). Store your tanks is a cool, dry environment and make sure the valve cover is on. Like you, I won't be diving again until next spring and if you store your equipment as listed above, you should be good to go as soon as it warms up next season.

Happy and Safe Diving!

 

[ComputerJoe]

Folks,
I know it is a sad thing but some people do stop diving during the hard water months. And if they do we owe it to them to give good advice.

First ozone is the enemy of silicone, latex, and most of the rest of your dive gear. I have thought about getting some of those "Space Bags" and suck most the air out of them. Then put them in the rubber maid storage container just in case the squirrels decide to move in. I've had my drysuit seals chewed by mice. Almost drain your aluminum tanks to prevent sustained load cracking of the neck And NOW is the time to get tanks inspected and have your regulators serviced so they are ready at a moments notice next spring.

 

[scuba2sue]

Plastic totes are an absolute must! This coming from someone whose equipment was destroyed by a mouse this year, while stored in dive bag 12 feet off the ground in the garage! Oh, and we had a wetsuit haning in the garage with nothing around it and the little bugger found a way to get at it too! Now just using what little closet space I have.