So you’ve kept your scuba diving equipment in the right condition over winter - well done! Many divers really neglect their gear when they’re not using it quite as much, but this really can cause problems when peak dive season rolls around. Now that we’re starting to get glimpses of lighter evenings, you might be starting to think about what happens next.
Before you take that first plunge of the diving season, it’s essential that all of your gear is in the right condition. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time to get your scuba diving equipment sorted and we have put together this checklist to help you do so. Read on for tips and tricks covering care and servicing for all of your critical items.
Regulators
Your regulator is your lifeline underwater and you simply cannot dive without it. Making sure that it’s in perfect working order in good time ahead of peak diving season is therefore critical and you can split your preparation of this piece of scuba diving equipment into two parts - tasks you can complete yourself and work you’ll need a professional for.
Start by visually inspecting all parts of your regulator. Check all of the hoses for cracks and leaks and inspect the mouthpiece for signs of degradation. If anything looks worse for wear, swap the parts out for new ones. You should also test both your 1st and 2nd stages by connecting them to a tank and breathing to check for proper airflow.
In addition to the above tasks, don’t forget to service your regulator too. This process should typically be done annually and ahead of peak diving season is the perfect time to schedule your service with a professional.
BCDs
The next piece of scuba diving equipment you’ll need to get ready is your BCD and there are a number of different but simple tasks you must carry out to ensure it offers the levels of buoyancy control it is designed for.
The first thing you’ll need to do is check the valves are functioning properly and that there are no leaks by fully inflating and deflating your BCD. Carefully inspect the inflator hose too - it should connect securely without any noticeable cracks or signs of wear. Lastly, test the dump valves and bladder to ensure they release air properly.
You might also want to give your BCD a good wash to make sure it’s completely clean before it returns to use. Having stored yours correctly over the off-season this shouldn’t be too much of a laborious process and we recommend using a BCD cleaner like the Gear Aid Revivex to make the process even easier and effective.
Drysuits/Wetsuits
Now it’s time to get your drysuit and/or wetsuit ready to wear. It will come as no surprise to learn that the first thing you need to do is visually inspect yours for any tears or holes. Even small nicks can lead to water seeping in, so patch up any gaps you do find with neoprene glue and don’t be afraid to replace your wetsuit or drysuit if there are multiple issues.
Zips are another important area to inspect as a stuck or corroded zipper can be a major inconvenience no matter when or where you are diving. Apply a lubricant to make them run smoothly and test a few times for peace of mind.
Cylinders
You have major responsibilities when it comes to keeping your dive tank in the right shape. No matter which kind of configuration you dive in, there are laws and regulations when it comes to the frequency at which cylinders must be serviced hydrostatic test every 5 years.
If either of these types of inspections are due, you’ll need to act accordingly. Bring your cylinder to us and our qualified technicians will ensure it is serviced properly so that you can kick off the diving season with full certainty when it comes to the structural integrity and air quality of your tank.
Dive Computers
When preparing your scuba diving equipment, don’t forget your dive computer either! Particularly if yours has been turned off for some time, the battery is always a good place to start. Power it on and recharge or replace it if necessary.
Next, check to see if there are any updates waiting to be installed on your device which will improve performance. Some of the newest and most sophisticated modern dive computers like the Suunto Ocean and Garmin Descent Mk3i release updates pretty frequently so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the latest firmware installed if it’s been a while since you wore and used yours.
Setting aside some time to work through these tasks and prepare your scuba diving equipment now will pay off hugely when it comes to the busy diving months and you’re good to go. Do remember that we are always here if you have any questions about the tips outlined in this article or need some professional advice when it comes to servicing your dive gear. Simply get in touch with the Aquanauts team and we’ll help you prepare for your upcoming dives!