The sun is shining, and you’re bound to be heading down to the beach to take advantage of this lovely warm Perth summer weather. Now that you’re wetting your wetsuit and dive gear more frequently, it’s now more important than ever to make sure you’re taking good care of your equipment. Here are a few simple ways to take care of your scuba diving gear.
Thorough Cleaning
After each and every dive, you should be giving your wetsuit and dive gear a thorough rinse in freshwater. This should be done as soon as possible, either using the freshwater facilities near a popular dive location, or immediately when you get home. Using a dive gear cleaner will assist in removing residual seawater and prevent corrosion. And remember, it’s not just your wetsuit that needs washing – ALL of your scuba diving equipment should be given a thorough cleaning to remove any sand or debris left over from your recent dive. Leave your scuba diving gear to dry in a cool, dry location to avoid sunlight damage. UV can be harmful to your dive gear, causing the quality to deteriorate, crack or fade.
Proper Storage
One way to make sure your scuba diving gear remains in great condition is to follow the recommended storage protocols. Holding onto the protective bags that your gear comes in is best practice, as these will serve as an excellent dust preventer for those times you aren’t able to make it into the water on a regular basis. When packing your gear for a dive trip, follow the same principles as a grocery bag – all your lightweight and delicate items should be placed on top with heavier gear underneath to avoid damage.
Regular Inspections
Even if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter, this doesn’t guarantee your gear will work 100% of the time. Performing regular dive gear inspections both before and after dives will make sure you stay on top of any potential wear or damage before they become a safety hazard. Make sure to check any and all batteries in your scuba diving equipment before getting into the water to prevent anything running out of charge halfway through a dive.
Routine Maintenance
Salt water and sand will eventually take its toll on your scuba diving equipment, even with proper cleaning and storage. Taking your gear into a dive shop for routine maintenance and servicing will prevent small problems becoming bigger ones further down the line. A routine maintenance check should be done once annually at the minimum just to ensure all things are working as they should. If you have been experiencing problems with your dive gear, you should have an experienced technician check the problem as soon as possible.
The team at Dolphin Scuba can supply, service and replace your scuba diving gear from their diverse range of premium scuba brands. Our experienced technicians can service and repair your scuba diving gear on site at our Welshpool store. Open seven days a week, drop by the store or contact our team on 9353 2488.