Properly maintaing a BCD?

[mksmith713]

Is there a protocol for cleaning and maintaining your BCD?
Any scpecial way you should store it when waiting for your next dive opportunity?
I want my stuff to last as long as possible. This stuff isn't cheap to buy.

Thanks to all for your responses in advance.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Is there a protocol for cleaning and maintaining your BCD?
Any scpecial way you should store it when waiting for your next dive opportunity?
I want my stuff to last as long as possible. This stuff isn't cheap to buy.

Thanks to all for your responses in advance.

No voodoo here. All common sense stuff.

Rinse or soak your gear, particularly if you dive in salt water.

Rinse out the inside of the bladder with fresh water, maybe a couple times if it's been a while.

Blow out all the water you can.

Let the BC dry OUT OF THE SUN.

Store it with a bit of air in the bladder.

Make sure the OPV's and inflator and associated hoses are in good working condition and service them if not, or in doubt.

Inflate fully and observe that it stays that way before using, particularly if it's been stored a while.

Tobin

 

[mksmith713]

Thanks for the response. I would have never thought to rinse the inside of the bladder.
I also would have thought you might condition the rubber parts to prevent from dry rotting.

 

[spectrum]

Yea rinsing the inside is the most important thing. The outside can be salty and crusty with relatively little harm. The inside can stick and self destruct. Flushing the inflater valve which happens in doing the bladder fulsh is also high up there.

What I do.

Pete

 

[jscott099]

Washing it in some Woolite keep the colors bright. Try not to use it in the pool as the chlorine really does a number on them (use a rental or a on older BC you may already have). I take mine in once a year for warranty maintenance (leak checks, service the Air 2 reg, replace o-rings). You can check the exhaust ports yourself by unscrewing them and cleaning out any grit. I carefully examine for any cracking plastic buckles.