How To Correctly Store Dive Gear

Table of Contents

Drysuits

Dive Regulators

BCD

Dive Cylinders

With the cold months upon us, many divers are getting ready to pack away their diving equipment for the off-season. But you may be asking the question: how do I correctly store my dive gear? Worry not—here’s everything you need to know. 

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Drysuits

Checking Your Drysuit

Before storing your gear, it’s essential to check it over thoroughly for any wear and tear. The last thing you want is to take out your drysuit the week before a dive trip and find a hole that needs patching or a seal that needs to be replaced! Stretch the seals to look for signs of perishing, examine the fabric for rips, and check for cracks along the length of the zips. Ideally, perform a leak check by pressurising the suit slightly and leaving it overnight.

Cleaning Your Drysuit

Drysuits should be cleaned after every dive, particularly saltwater excursions, to prevent the buildup of salt, sand, and other debris. Wash your drysuit (both inside and out) in fresh, preferably warm, water. Wash the seals with mild soapy water to remove body oils. Thoroughly rinse with fresh water and leave it to dry.

Drying Your Drysuit

Hang your suit to dry out of direct sunlight (UV rays break down latex and cause rubber to perish). Moisture can pool in the lower parts, so it’s best to hang it by its feet when drying. Leave the zip open to maximise air circulation.

Storing Your Drysuit

Drysuits can be stored hanging or folded. Make sure it's completely dry (storing a damp suit only brings mould and misery), and always keep the zip open during storage. If you have the space, hanging is probably best, as it helps keep the suit’s shape. Hang it by its shoulders using a wide-shouldered hanger (not a thin wire one). If you’re folding it, lay the suit zipper-side down and roll it loosely from the feet to the neck, then fold the arms across it. The most important thing is to avoid bending the zip.

Store your suit in a dry place out of direct sunlight. A suit bag is best to protect it from moths and other unwelcome creatures. Try not to keep it in a garage or shed where it might be exposed to toxic chemicals, diesel, petrol, or chlorine.

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Dive Regulators

Checking Your Regulators

Look for corrosion or damage to your first stage, check your hoses for subtle cracks and bulges (especially at connection points), and examine your mouthpiece for damage. You can do a functional check of the second stage by connecting your regulator to a cylinder and taking a few deep, slow breaths to check airflow. Ensure your purge buttons are working properly, and test the accuracy of your pressure gauge. It’s recommended to get your regulators serviced every year or every 40 dives, so be sure to factor that into your schedule.

Cleaning Your Regulators

When washing your dive regulator,  it should be pressurised to ensure water does not enter the internal system. Rinse your first stage and octopus in warm water and rotate the adjustment knobs to remove salt and debris. Rinse the second stage (without pressing the purge button) to allow water to flow through the mouthpiece. Don’t use high-pressure water, especially on the second stage, as this can damage internal components. Avoid all chemicals—fresh water is fine. DO not use abrasive brushes or tools.

Drying Your Regulators

Dry your regulators out of direct sunlight. Hang them to allow water to drain, but loosely coil the hoses so they don’t kink or come under strain. As with your drysuit, make sure the regulators are completely dry before storing them.

Storing Your Regulators

Regulators should be stored lying flat to avoid tension in the hoses, with the dust cap secured over the first stage. Keep them in a dry, room-temperature environment, out of direct sunlight and away from chemicals and fumes.

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BCD

Checking Your BCD

For your BCD, it can be worthwhile to perform your pre-dive inspection, including an inflation check and testing the dump valves, so as to identify any issues before storing it away. Examine the straps and stitching for tears or signs of fraying. As with your regulator, it’s recommended to have your BCD serviced annually or every 40 dives.

Cleaning Your BCD

Rinse your BCD thoroughly, including the interior of the bladder, using fresh water. Make sure to clean the buckles, pockets, and dump valves, as salt and debris can accumulate in these areas. Use a garden hose or similar to flush the bladder, inflating the BCD halfway and allowing the water to swirl around inside. Drain the water completely through the dump valves and inflator hose to get rid of any stagnant water. Ensure the dump valve is at the lowest point and get as much of the water out as possible.

Drying Your BCD

To dry your BCD, partially inflate it (fully inflating it can put unnecessary pressure on the seams). Leave it to dry in a dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight. Water may gather at the bottom, so make sure to check it after a day or two to empty it. You can also hang it upside down for a period of time.

Storing Your BCD

Remove any weights from the pockets and compartments. Store your BCD slightly inflated (to protect the internal structure) in a dry, room-temperature environment, out of direct sunlight, and away from fumes and toxic chemicals. 

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Dive Cylinders

Checking Your Dive Cylinders

By IDEST standards, dive cylinders should undergo visual inspection every 2 ½ years and hydrostatic testing every 5 years. It’s a good idea to check when your next inspection or test is due before storing your dive cylinders, so you can plan ahead and avoid delays before your next dive trip.

If your cylinders are still in date at the end of the dive season, you can check them over yourself before storing them. Look for evidence of external corrosion, dents, or cracks—make sure to remove the boot for this, as damage may be hiding underneath. Listen for sloshing sounds that could indicate the presence of water in the tank. Examine valves for any overt signs of damage or corrosion. 

Storing Your Dive Cylinders

Cylinders should be stored in a cool, dry environment, away from any direct heat source. Store them with a small amount of residual gas (typically 15-20 bar) in an upright position—the material is thickest at the base and less likely to suffer severe corrosion. Secure them so they don’t fall over. 

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Correctly Storing Your Dive Gear

Knowing how to correctly store dive gear is key to extending your equipment’s lifetime and saving you money and hassle in the long run. As they say, if you take care of your gear, it will take care of you! Always follow manufacturer guidance in preference to generic advice. A good rule of thumb is to store it in a cool, dry, secure place, away from direct sunlight and corrosive chemicals. Keep up to date with servicing requirements to catch issues before they become big problems, so you can continue diving safely and happily long into your next dive season.

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