You’ve just surfaced from an incredible dive. The colours, the life, the weightless freedom—it’s what we live for. But before you start swapping stories and looking at your photos, there’s one non-negotiable ritual that every responsible diver must perform: proper scuba gear maintenance. This isn’t just a chore; it’s an act of respect for the equipment that keeps you alive underwater and an investment in its longevity, performance, and, most importantly, your safety. Flawless scuba gear maintenance is the hallmark of a true diving professional and enthusiast. It’s the difference between gear that fails you at the worst possible moment and gear that performs flawlessly dive after dive, year after year.
At Deep Blue Scuba, we’ve seen it all. A regulator destroyed by a single grain of sand, a BCD bladder rotting from the inside out from a forgotten splash of saltwater, and a dive computer that gave up because its O-rings were never checked. These are all preventable tragedies. This ultimate guide will walk you through the ten critical steps of post-dive scuba gear maintenance. Follow this regimen religiously, and your gear will reward you with unwavering reliability.
Step 1: The Pre-Rinse Soak – Your First Line of Defense
Why: The moment you exit the water, your gear begins to be attacked which is improper when it comes to scuba gear maintenance. Salt crystals form, sand dries and becomes abrasive, and microscopic organisms start to break down materials. Your first task is to neutralize these threats.
How:
- Prepare Two Tubs: Immediately after your dive, fill two large tubs or bins with fresh, clean water. One is for your regulator, octopus, gauges, and dive computer. The other is for everything else (BCD, wetsuit, fins, mask, weights).
- Gentle Submersion: Carefully place your regulator set (with dust cap firmly secured!) into its tub. Avoid any sloshing or pouring water directly into the regulator openings. Let everything soak for 15-30 minutes. This loosens salt, sand, and other debris without forcing it into delicate parts.
This initial soak is the most crucial step in your entire scuba gear maintenance routine. Never, ever let saltwater dry on your equipment.
Step 2: Regulator & Dive Computer TLC – Handling the Heart of Your Life Support System
Your regulator is the most complex and critical piece of your kit. Its scuba gear maintenance requires utmost care.
How:
- Rinse: After soaking, gently agitate the regulator first and second stages, hoses, SPG, and dive computer in the fresh water. Ensure the water is cool or lukewarm, never hot.
- The Golden Rule: THE DUST CAP MUST REMAIN SECURELY IN PLACE DURING THE ENTIRE RINSING PROCESS. This is non-negotiable. A single drop of water entering the first stage can cause catastrophic internal corrosion.
- External Cleaning: Use a soft brush or cloth to gently wipe away any stubborn dirt or algae on the hoses and console. Pay attention to the mouthpieces on your primary second stage and octopus.
- Dive Computer: Rinse thoroughly, paying close attention to the buttons and the groove where the strap attaches. Press each button under water to flush out any salt or silt.
Step 3: BCD Care – More Than Just a Flotation Device
Your BCD is a complex piece of equipment with an internal bladder, inflator mechanisms, and dump valves. Proper scuba gear maintenance here prevents mold, corrosion, and failure.
How:
- Soak & Rinse: After its initial soak, drain the dirty water and refill the tub with fresh water.
- Internal Flush: This is a pro move. Partially fill the BCD bladder with fresh water via the oral inflator hose. Swish the water around inside thoroughly. Then, hold the BCD upside down, press the oral inflator button and the dump valves simultaneously to drain the water completely. Repeat this 2-3 times until the water runs clear. This removes salt, saliva, and silt from the bladder’s interior.
- External Clean: Wipe down the entire exterior, pockets, and harness with a soft brush. Carefully rinse the inflator mechanism, ensuring water runs through the dump valves.
- Dry: Inflate the BCD slightly and hang it in a shaded, well-ventilated area to dry completely inside and out.
Step 4: Exposure Suit Spa Treatment – Extending Its Life
Whether it’s a wetsuit or a drysuit, proper scuba gear maintenance prevents it from becoming stiff, smelly, and degraded.
How:
- Soak & Rinse: Soak your suit in its dedicated tub of fresh water. For neoprene, use a specialized wetsuit shampoo (like McNett MiraZyme) in the water. This neutralizes odors and bacteria. For drysuits, follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely, often requiring a specific cleaner for the shell material and zipper lubricant after drying.
- Gentle Wash: Gently hand-wash the suit, paying attention to areas like knees, cuffs, and zippers.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse it again in clean water until all soap suds are gone.
- Dry: Never wring out a wetsuit! This stretches and damages the neoprene. Instead, roll it in a towel to absorb excess water. Hang it on a wide, padded hanger to dry inside-out, away from direct sunlight which causes fading and brittleness.
Step 5: Mask, Fins, Snorkel & Accessories
Proper scuba gear maintenance can make sure your diving gear stays in tip-top condition.
How:
- Mask & Snorkel: Soak and rinse thoroughly. Use a small brush to clean the mouthpiece of your snorkel.
- Fins: Rinse thoroughly, including the foot pockets and blade. Check for any signs of wear or stress cracks.
- Weight System: Rinse weight belts and weight pockets to remove salt and sand that can cause abrasion.
Step 6: The Meticulous Drying Process – Patience is a Virtue
Rushing the drying process is a cardinal sin of scuba gear maintenance. Trapped moisture is the enemy.
How:
- Location: Always dry your gear in a cool, shaded, and well-ventilated area. Direct sunlight and heat are incredibly damaging to rubber, plastic, and neoprene.
- Hanging: Hang BCDs, suits, and reg sets on proper hangers. Don’t let hoses kink.
- Disassembly: If possible, disassemble your gear. Remove weights from belts, take fins off boots, and unclip your regulator from the BCD. This allows air to circulate around every component.
Step 7: The Pre-Storage Inspection – A Safety Check
Once everything is 100% completely dry, you must perform a visual and functional inspection before storing it. This is proactive scuba gear maintenance.
How:
- Regulator: Check all hoses for signs of cracking, stiffness, or bulging. Inspect the mouthpieces for tears. Ensure the dust cap is secure and in good condition.
- BCD: Inflate it fully and listen/feel for leaks. Check all dump valves and the oral inflator mechanism for smooth operation. Check the harness buckles and straps for wear.
- Dive Computer: Check the battery indicator. Inspect the housing for any cracks and the O-rings for any nicks, dirt, or dryness.
- Exposure Suit: Check for any nicks, tears, or seam separations. Lubricate zippers with appropriate zipper wax.
Step 8: Strategic Storage – Preserving Your Investment
How you store your gear is just as important as how you clean it. Improper storage can undo all your hard work even if you follow all these scuba gear maintenance tips
How:
- Regulator: Store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid bending the hoses into tight loops; large, gentle curves are best.
- BCD: Store partially inflated or completely flat. Do not hang it for long-term storage with tanks attached, as this stresses the bladder and material.
- Wetsuit: Once completely dry, store it flat or folded loosely on a wide, padded hanger. Never compress it tightly for long periods.
- General Rule: Keep all gear away from chemicals, gasoline fumes, ozone (from electric motors), and direct sunlight.
Step 9: The Professional Service Interval – Don’t Skip It!
No amount of personal rinsing can replace professional scuba gear maintenance. Internal parts wear out and corrode invisibly.
Manufacturers require annual servicing for a reason. It involves:
- Regulator: Complete disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, replacement of all wear-and-tear parts (O-rings, seats, filters), lubrication, and recalibration to factory specifications.
- BCD: Disassembly and cleaning of the inflator mechanism, inspection and pressure testing of the bladder, and replacement of O-rings and exhaust valves.
- Dive Computer: Battery replacement by a professional (which includes a pressure test) and software updates.
Adhering to this service schedule is not a suggestion; it’s a critical component of safe diving and your gear’s warranty often depends on it.
Step 10: Log Your Maintenance – Track Your Gear’s Health
Keep a simple logbook for your scuba gear maintenance.
What to Record:
- Date of each dive
- Date of each cleaning
- Notes on any issues (e.g., “small leak from BCD elbow,” “regulator breathing slightly harder”)
- Dates of professional service
This log becomes an invaluable history of your equipment, helping you and your technician diagnose problems and plan for future service.
The Dire Consequences of Neglect: Why This All Matters
Skipping proper scuba gear maintenance isn’t just about saving 20 minutes; it’s a gamble with your safety and wallet.
- Safety Failures: A poorly maintained regulator can free-flow catastrophically or, worse, fail to deliver air. A corroded BCD inflator can stick open, causing an uncontrolled ascent, or fail to inflate in an emergency.
- Costly Repairs: A $150 annual service is far cheaper than a $800 regulator rebuild after corrosion sets in, or a $500 BCD replacement because the bladder disintegrated.
- Performance Degradation: Crusty, stiff regulators require more effort to breathe from, increasing air consumption and fatigue. A leaking BCD forces you to constantly adjust buoyancy, ruining your dive.
Your Gear Maintenance Kit Checklist
To make this easy, assemble a dedicated gear care kit so your scuba gear maintenance can be as smooth as possible:
- Two large plastic tubs
- Soft-bristled brushes (different sizes)
- Mild, dive-specific cleaner (e.g., for wetsuits, masks)
- McNett MiraZyme or similar odor eliminator
- Silicone lubricant for zippers and O-rings
- A supply of fresh water (if on a liveaboard, be mindful of usage)
- A well-ventilated, shaded drying area
- A logbook