What are the effects of Chlorine on SCUBA gear?

[Mortlock]

I asked this in the middle of another thread but I thought it'd be more suitable here.

What are the effects of Chlorine on SCUBA gear?

Does cl damage SCUBA gear even if you wash everything after use?

I've only recently bought my first set of gear (BP/W thanks to this board and some helpful advice from the retailer) and I'm a bit concerned about doing many pool dives in this nice equipment. When I was a kid I had some fins, mask and snorkle that basically lived in our family swimming pool for about 10 years. That stuff is still OK and it was never cleaned in fresh water.

Why would SCUBA equipment be anymore susceptible to damage form cl than my old mask etc.?

Isn't it made of the same plastics and rubbers that SCUBA gear is?

I also had a mesh nylon bag we used to weight and play UW hockey with and that only suffered damage from wear along the bottom of the pool.

Thanks for your help,

Morty

 

[gfisher4792]

In general, chlorine accelerates the deterioration of plastics and rubber (real or synthetic) parts. Large parts (such as your mask, fins and snorkel) won't deteriorate quickly or noticably, but with more complex equipment (regulators, wing, etc.) the effect can be noticable (and dangerous), because small parts such as the o-rings will deteriorate quickly from Cl. However, a cleaning/rinsing (overnight soaking if possible) will take care of any Cl in your equipment.

 

[eab]

What are the effects of Chlorine on SCUBA gear?

You'll notice the webbing on things begin to fade from black to brown.

Rinse, rinse, rinse.

 

[String]

My kit gets used in the pool session just about every week and despite washing out with fresh water after the session you tend to notice after a few months the usual bleaching effects.

My black neoprene booties have white patches on them as do parts of my BC. The regs etc obviously are fine, my mask skirt was clear but now cloudy but that could be sunshine and general dive use as well.

In short, wash the kit out thoroughly as soon as possible after being in the pool (same goes for the sea!).

 

[Rick Murchison]

A really pristine pool with the proper chemical balance has no more chlorine in it than tap water. Rinsing it is just rinsing it with "more of the same."
However... most pools have organic matter introduced (that's why the chlorine's there) that combines with chlorine (the chlorine kills/sanitizes it). It is this "combined chlorine" that produces the characteristic smell and burning eyes - and does the most damage to scuba gear.
Bottom line - the best way to slow or limit the damage to your gear in a pool is to keep the kids from peeing in it and to be meticulous in pool cleaning and chemistry.
I have gear I've used for years in my own pool that still looks brand new - I have other gear that I use in teaching in public pools that is actiually newer but noticeably deteriorating from exposure to pool water.
Rick

 

[String]

Not really an option in a climate like there where nobody has private pools and everyone has to rent time in a private pool

Chlorine level is always high and during school holidays they up the levels even more to the extent that sometimes the pool has a green tinge and you cant see the length of it

 

[gtimm]

What are the effects of Chlorine on SCUBA gear?

Does cl damage SCUBA gear even if you wash everything after use?


Morty

Morty,

I spend a lot of time in a pool as an instructor. Based on my experience, expect your black BCD to turn brown; your black wetsuit and booties to fade considerably and show gray lines and spots. Recently I've had some success in reducing the fading by thoroughly rinsing my gear in domestic water (most pools have a hose) prior to entering the pool. Getting the materials wet first seems to reduce the bleaching effect of chlorine. Be sure to rinse well immediately after exiting the pool.