Post dive trip equipment care questions

[doctock993]

I swear I searched the forum(s) prior to posting this question!

After a few dives on a dive trip, what needs to be done to care/ clean dive equipment, if anything.

I'm asking specifically about reg/octo and fin/strap care.

I knew enough to hand wash and air-dry the booties, wetsuits, dive bag.

Should the spring-straps on the fins be stored straight (only one side attached) or may they remain curved (both sides attached)?

Of note, the reg/ octo was serviced immediately prior to the trip and the fins were new.

Equipment will most likely not get used again for at least 4-6 months.:depressed:

Also, if post dive-trip BC care could be addressed it might help tip me to one side of the "do I want to buy my own BC" question.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mikeyjoe]

I swear I searched the forum(s) prior to posting this question!

After a few dives on a dive trip, what needs to be done to care/ clean dive equipment, if anything.

I'm asking specifically about reg/octo and fin/strap care.

I knew enough to hand wash and air-dry the booties, wetsuits, dive bag.

Should the spring-straps on the fins be stored straight (only one side attached) or may they remain curved (both sides attached)?

Of note, the reg/ octo was serviced immediately prior to the trip and the fins were new.

Equipment will most likely not get used again for at least 4-6 months.:depressed:

Also, if post dive-trip BC care could be addressed it might help tip me to one side of the "do I want to buy my own BC" question.

Thanks in advance.

Cleaning gear req'd - one garbage can and one garden hose.

I just give everything a good rinse/dunk. Not sure about how to store spring straps - straight seems logical with no down side. Give your regs a good dunking, keeping the cap on the first stage so water doesn't get in on that side and do not press in the purge valve on your second stage, or water will get past the reg and into the hose - not a good thing.

It is a good idea to squirt some fresh water into the bladder of your BC and swish it around, then dump it out. To get it in, hold down your dump valve button on your inflator and put the end of the hose against the exhust valve.

I blow dry (I have a compressor) the my knives and sheaths and then give the blades a thin coat of silicone lubs to keep the rust away.

Don't dry anything in the sun - uv is not kind to dive gear....

 

[herman]

If possible, hooking the reg to a tank (pony is fine) and soak it for a while if you can. I like to rinse the inside of the second stages by holding them with the exhaust T down (mouth piece horizonal) and running water through them. This will flush out any sand inside the reg.
I would caution you to never take a freshly serviced reg on a dive trip- local quarry is fine but never on a trip. Regs are fairly rugged devices and rarely fail in service however failures after service are fairly common. Never bet your trip or a deep dive on a freshly serviced reg, get a few dives on it before trusting it to serious diving.

 

[mikeyjoe]

I would caution you to never take a freshly serviced reg on a dive trip- local quarry is fine but never on a trip. Regs are fairly rugged devices and rarely fail in service however failures after service are fairly common. Never bet your trip or a deep dive on a freshly serviced reg, get a few dives on it before trusting it to serious diving.

Good advice - I have taken note......

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You do not need to remove the fin straps. Storing them attached to both sides will have no effect on them. Rinse and hang the reg. Once dry it can be stored in a reg bag. As far as BC care it is relatively simple. rinse, rinse the bladder out, blow a little air in and hang it up. As for longterm it's the same procedure but I have no personal experience with that. My stuff is never dry for longer than a few weeks. Herman's advice about hooking up to a pony is good as well to give it a good soak. If you.ve been diving salt water I would not be adverse to changing the water once. Why so long till you are able to use it again?

 

[firstdive2005]

As Jimlap pointed out keep your straps attached. I take it they are the replacement type that snap on. The female plastic part on your fin can easily come off when not connected. It would be a drag loosing this piece. Being bent wont hurt the spring. With regard to the bc. I rinse mine at holiday spot, get home and remove my inflator hose on back. Put a lot of fresh warm water in, slosh around dump, then I put bc cleaner in it. Repeat. I soak the hose also. I undo the vent end to drain water. Be very careful how they came apart. Photo them if need be. O ya, that thing you pee in, your lds will have some enzyme cleaner for that Nothing worse than your dive gear competeing with hockey gear for smell.
Good to ask these questions.