storing gear

[SteveC]

How should one store there gear. Should the BC be on a hanger instead of the dive bag, and how about the regulator. Should the reg be covered?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[mike_s]

most people keep their regulator in a regulator bag. You'll find some peole who say not to do this as it bends the hoses. Some people hang them on a regulator "hanger", but some will say this "stresses" the hoses under the weight.

Regardless, I keep mine in a regulator bag which protects it somwhat from "whatever".

If you're going to store it for long periods and have dive computer in the console, consult your computer maker on whether to store with batteries in or out. Sometimes there might be a risk of batteries corroding and damaging the computer.

For the BC, put a puff or two (or three) of air in it to very slightly expand the bladder just a bit. then store it hanging or in your gear bag (without anything on top of it).


anyone else have better thoughts?

-mike

 

[Damselfish]

I leave my BC in my bag on top, slightly inflated. My reg is in there too, loosely coiled up.

Best to avoid temp extremes, and areas with lots of hydrocarbons aren't supposed to be good for the materials, like the garage - assuming your car gets to use it.

 

[triton94949]

I store my B/C and my harness/backplate hanging in a dark closet, away from sunlight.

I store my regs uncoiled in a large drawer, also out of sunlight.

I store my aluminum tanks almost drained, and my steel tanks completely filled.

The other items, after rinsing and drying completely, go into a chest in the extra bedroom.

The stormy season where I live is December to February, and not much scuba is possible then. And what scuba is done is normally accompanied by seasickness in that timeframe, at least for me.

 

[Kriterian]

I would also like to add storing the regulators in a sealed environment, like a tupperware tub etc. Lot's of folks get bugs in their mouthpieces and it can't be fun getting a roach instead of air when the season starts back up.

 

[shark.byte.usa]

I would also like to add storing the regulators in a sealed environment, like a tupperware tub etc. Lot's of folks get bugs in their mouthpieces and it can't be fun getting a roach instead of air when the season starts back up.

:sick: that's just wrong! I don't have roaches, but will look into some large tupperware tomorrow

 

[Damselfish]

Not only can critters get in stuff, but some like to eat silcone rubber. I had a hole munched in my inflator hose once, believed to be a mouse. Others had mask skirts nibbled. Supposedly silicone tastes sweet to them. This happened on Little Cayman, but I would think it could happen anyplace.

 

[miketsp]

I normally put my 2nd stages in plastic bags to avoid the clear silicone mouthpieces coming into contact with the hoses which would cause the mouthpieces to turn brown.

 

[dbg40]

I built a large gear box in my basement ( dry and cool). I too keep all of my small stuff in containers that are labeled. (but not air tight ones) Batteries are removed from everything so I have to replace them at the start of the season. After everything has been thoughly cleaned inspected and repaired if needed the containers are loaded first, the BC is partially filled and laid on top of them, then the wetsuit is loosely stuffed with brown paper to keep it from creasing and laid out last. My regs are cleaned, dried, and stored in a large paded and zippered reg. bag loosely coiled so that the hoses don't take a "set".
AL tanks are stored at300 lbs, steel at full press, and all are stored in a rack standing up and covered with a canvas made to fit over them so they can breath and stay clean. I have done this for years and it takes a little extra time , but I can be diving in no time at all when its time and with no surprises!

 

[Ishie]

I would also like to add storing the regulators in a sealed environment, like a tupperware tub etc. Lot's of folks get bugs in their mouthpieces and it can't be fun getting a roach instead of air when the season starts back up.

Let me just say...

AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Fortunately no 'season', but that would be my luck. I can just picture the coroner "So how did she embolize, again?"