Tips on Basic BCD Maintenance

I have been told that I need to write about something for the blog, but I did not know what to write about. That was until I worked on a regulator that just made me sad. It was in such bad shape; it was not taken care of at all. So the idea of me writing about basic equipment maintenance started to make since to me. Because as most of you know, "the world of scuba is all about me". :-) And the best way to make me happy is to ensure you are taking care of the gear you depend on, not only for your life while underwater, but to make sure you have that successful dive at your local dive spot or while you are on a dive trip somewhere in the world.

Let’s begin with your BCD:

Before you pack your BCD into you dive bag, you should check to make sure you have all the parts for it, like your weight pockets and clips. You should also check to see if the quick release system is functioning and that the webbing is not starting to tear. Do the dumps have the cords still attached? Are any of the connection points (seams) no longer intact? It doesn’t take long to check this stuff out, but it is important.

Now, I am not too concerned about your ability to put your gear together for your dive, so let’s get to the post-dive activities. Once you get home, you should wash your gear in fresh water that has some type of BCD/wetsuit conditioner in it. The conditioner will help to break down the salts while you rinse out the sand. Of course, you can buy this stuff from The Dive Shack. Most people when they wash their BCD just dunk the unit into the water a couple of times, or them may let it sit in the water a bit before they hang it up to dry. I have a vial at the shop with some pretty large pieces of rock salt that I was able to get out of the air bladder of a few BCD’s over the years because of a step most people forget. When you are done washing the outside, you need to wash the inside.

While we dive, as we deflate the BCD with the black button at the end of the inflator hose, we allow some water inside the bladder of our BCD. The more often or longer we hold that button down, the more water we get inside the system. This is not really a bad thing, but if you don’t clean it out after the dive, the water will evaporate out leaving salt crystals to accumulate in the bladder.

Here is what you should do. When you have your water hose flowing, put a little air into your BCD, then lift the inflator hose up and push the oral inflate button down. With that done, put the water hose up to the inflator and allow the fresh water to go into the BCD. I should fill it up with about a couple cups of water, then release the button. Next, lift the BCD up and move it around, sloshing the water all over the inside of the bladder. Once that is done, you hold your BCD upside down with the inflator hanging down at the lowest point, then depress the deflate button to drain the water out. Sorry, but not done yet. Repeat, slosh and drain again, but this time taste the water. If it has a salty taste to it, then you need to refill, slosh, and drain again. Do this until the water has a fresh taste to it. Now you know there is no more salt in the BCD and it can be hung up to dry.

When you do hang it up, just remember to add a little air inside. It does not need to be full, just one or two full blows to keep the inner material from sticking together as the moisture dries out.

All of this does not take long and it will make sure your system will look better, work better and last longer. Plus, if you bring it into the shop for a full service, I will not be sad when I have to see a poorly treated piece of equipment. (Remember: "the world of scuba is all about me". :-))

Next time, I will talk about regulator maintenance. But until then remember, while diving, your equipment will not only help you have a great dive, but will keep you alive. I am sure you have heard the saying “the better you take care of your gear, the better your gear will take care of you.”  HAPPY DIVING!