The RIGHT Way to Clean Your Scuba Gear

[@CircleHScuba]

Build a Save a Dive Kit ▶ kzbin.info/www/bejne/epXEfXV-p7RspJI BCD Cleaner: amzn.to/3IpKzgs Wetsuit Shampoo (Gear Aid): amzn.to/3pOyn2q Wetsuit Odor Eliminator (Sink the Stink): amzn.to/3MpGsSS Steramine: amzn.to/41OhMZT BCD Water Hose Attachment: amzn.to/3q39MHa Dive Gear Accessory Hanger: amzn.to/45jVXUW Wide Shoulder Wetsuit Hanger: amzn.to/3oaSQhH Rubbermaid Rinse / Wash Tub: amzn.to/41NPBKR How to Stop Mask Fog ▶ kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5LOnGeNr5eBp8k

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Scuba stuff is expensive…..taking care of it is important. If more divers did this it would reduce diver issues later on

[@CircleHScuba]

I completely agree!! This was one of my biggest points in the opening and closing of the video. Take care of your gear, it’ll take care of you

[@josephdracula7487]

👍😎🤿🇵🇭Oh boy are you right! Sometimes I think I spend more time cleaning my diving gear than just plain diving! I can’t say how much you are so correct about the importance of cleaning EVERYTHING! It is a must even just hitting it with fresh water! You and I know the expensive costs of good diving gear and how important it is for us underwater our life support. Very well put together video 👍 Seems I can’t stop upgrading scuba gear and keeping it in good condition is a must! Keep up the great work on your videos! 😎🤿

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks Joseph! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, cleaning is SO important. I come home from the Bahamas today and plan to soak most of my gear overnight to really ensure the salt and bacteria is cleaned out.

[@bike_n_dive]

Thank u very much for this advice... as a new scuba equipment holder, it is really nice to know how to keep my gear in a properly functioning

[@CircleHScuba]

You’re welcome!

[@CNY_diver]

Hi Thomas, great videos! One question regarding cleaning your gear, is there a particular size and brand of container you use to clean your gear in? Thank you.

[@jeffconley6366]

Extremely well done 👍

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks so much Jeff, always appreciate you stopping by the videos and chatting!

[@denhauge]

I noticed that you didn’t put the 1st stage of your regulator in the wash tank. Is there a reason to not submerge the 1st stage?

[@CircleHScuba]

Some folks say never do it unless the 1st stage is on a tank under pressure to prevent water getting in. You can dunk it depending on the dust cover on your first stage. Some can keep water out if you hold your thumb over it, some may not. I’ve heard mixed things on this but I usually opt to not fully submerge it and clean it separately out of a rinse tank.

[@ilciavo]

Thank you for the video! Do you have a video about drysuit cleanup and storage ?

[@CircleHScuba]

Not yet but I can add that to my list!

[@user-mz2xr7hu2z]

hey, can you recommend any rack or container to put our gear on, if we only have a small space in a room?

[@CircleHScuba]

Absolutely, what kind of space size are we talking about? I’m happy to give some ideas. If you wanna tell me a rough size of the space you can use for storage and then what you’ll be storing, I can come up with ideas!

[@user-mz2xr7hu2z]

so, i have only a small space to store diving gear, its around 90x40cm or 36x16 inches. Is it okay if we have a drying rack outdoors and then store the gears inside a container box ? @@CircleHScuba

[@user-mz2xr7hu2z]

actually, its just a snorkeling gear but around 10 pair

[@CircleHScuba]

@@user-mz2xr7hu2z 10 pairs of fins? Or sets of snorkel gear as in just mask fins and snorkel? Wetsuits? How much space do you have?

[@user-mz2xr7hu2z]

10 pairs of fins, snorkel, and mask. just like a storage room @@CircleHScuba

[@iphallin]

I don't have those gear but i love watching you sir

[@CircleHScuba]

Thanks so much for watching! I’m glad you enjoy it!

[@ericramosmd]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@CircleHScuba]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

Yes but you don't want to wait until everything Rust you know what I'm saying basically the easy way that you can do it is by getting a water hose and wedding off your BCD and your regulator and dive computer set up so when you easily get out of the water you just rinse off your BCD and regulaters and then you can hand wash your wetsuit you know what I mean and also you do not want to just rinse off you're BCD and regulator setup you also want to rinse off your mask with the exact same hose but thank you for making this video because some people do not know how to properly clean their equipment😊

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

Although can you make a video about how to clean prescription dive masks because I'm probably going to be needing prescription dive mask will actually no I probably will please and thank you😊

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

Wait how do you get that type of hanger that can fit your gloves wet boots snorkel and mask because that will be really handy

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

Can I tell you something for me I don't really want one of those like wristwatch things like I mean dive computer on my wrist you know what I'm saying I'd rather just have a regular dive computer gauge or just regular dive computer because that's what I'm most comfortable with and also I don't really have to change the battery for the wireless transmitter you know what I'm saying so I think I might just stick to the regular gauge that's okay 👌😊

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

Can I ask you a question is it okay if I put my b c d in a closet that gets very warm in the hot summer obviously I'm going to be getting like one of the you know like closet hangers that can hold my BCD because at the scuba shop they said that it's okay I think I might have to inflate my BCD a little bit so you know what I'm saying so I don't really have the BCD the inside of my BCD from melting or sticking to each other you know what I'm saying

[@CircleHScuba]

A hose helps but you want to do more than just rinse off the stuff. I talk about sanitizing too. Rinsing is one thing but it’s like washing your hands without soap haha. In the description I list a few cleaning things safe on dive gear.

[@samuelcole3626]

Can you make a video about looking at buying used equipment? Debating on buying my gear second hand. Is that a bad idea?

[@CircleHScuba]

This is a fantastic video idea. I will add it to my list! In the mean time, let me recommend this video from @DiversReady where James breaks down used gear: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIW7YoKgja5lnpY I'll have to make my own take on it as well. Very good topic!

[@the.mr.beacher]

Would you ever dive your own gear in a pool with chlorine? If so, is there a special way to clean after or same procedure?

[@CircleHScuba]

Chlorine is no good for your gear. I try to avoid it but I do have an older set of gear I own that I only use in the pool, or I grab shop rentals for myself, when I teach in confined water. If you do use it in the pool, it will over time fade colors (black becomes gray for example), and degrade neoprene and seals. Rinse it immediately after if possible and use steramime like I mentioned in the video.

[@toadou8127]

I rinse off in pool showers, whilst wearing my whole SCUBA unit (tank too).

[@CircleHScuba]

Thats not a bad idea honestly, but I’m sure you’ll miss spots from folds, not pulling hose covers back, etc. still helpful

[@the.mr.beacher]

@@toadou8127 exactly what I ended up doing. I just had to try my new gear out before heading to Roatan for my first ever saltwater dive. I figured putting safety first was worth a little extra wear on my gear. Thank you both for the advice!

[@UNgineering]

How do you dry inside the BCD? If you had just rinsed it, even if you partially inflate it, the moisture has nowhere to go. Do you unscrew the inflator hose and the dump valves? And also, can you use the same Steramine to rinse inside the BCD?

[@CircleHScuba]

So you’ll want to hold it upside down to drain it through the inflator hose (hold the deflate button) or drain through a dump valve. You can take off the inflator hose as well if you’d like to help drain it easier, but be careful to not lose or damage the gasket that fits between the BCD and hose. Otherwise putting some air in there so it doesn’t stick to itself is the best we have. It’s like a camelback or other hydration pack like that. The bladder isn’t something you can really fully drain out ever, there’s always going to be some moisture, so you let it air dry as best as possible by having it opened up. Great questions!

[@Divewith.G.M_Official_Channel]

Yes I know I want those special hangers for my BCD know what I'm saying😊

[@CircleHScuba]

Haha they are great! Here are the links to them: BCD Hanger: amzn.to/47iWmrX Dive Gear Accessory Hanger: amzn.to/45jVXUW Wide Shoulder Wetsuit Hanger: amzn.to/3oaSQhH

[@kissmyhonkydonkey5678]

Hey Thomas, what about using plain ol’ baking soda to clean my all of my gear? I’ve heard that it is just as good as Sink The Stink. What say you???

[@CircleHScuba]

To be completely honest, I haven’t tried it! I’ve heard you can use it for some stuff like a wetsuit, but idk what all you can or can’t put in baking soda

[@dtt3426]

what's the easiest way to bet water out of your bcd

[@CircleHScuba]

Inflate it manually, hold it so your inflator hose is at the lowest point (upside down for most BCDs), then hold the deflate button on your inflator hose and let it drain. Add more air and repeat as needed. You can also drain through dump valves by also ensuring the valve is the lowest point.

[@alrobinette3475]

So how bad is heat? I am in Texas and hang my gear inside my garage to dry before packing and its 100 in my garage during the summer. Is this an issue for my gear in the long term?

[@CircleHScuba]

Hey shoutout to the TX divers! I was certified in Lake Travis right outside of Austin, haha. Honestly, the high heat if your garage is going to get 100+ isn't going to be great for latex, neoprene, and silicone IMO. You also want to be concerned about the local wildlife, in terms of spiders in your gear, a snake crawling into your booties, etc. I've seen it happen, and as you know scorpions, snakes, etc. are very prevalent in most of TX if not all of TX. I'd try to store what you can inside, then things like tanks (if full maybe not the best) and BCDs may be ok out there. If you have a finished garage at the least, the insulation may keep it cooler than you think? I'd really try to bring what you can inside, or look at maybe sectioning off a small area inside for dive gear and put a window AC unit in there maybe? I am sure there are divers in TX with all their gear in the garage, its just not the best practice and may wear things down faster. Another thing to think about is what is IN your garage. Do you do wood working or work on cars/motorcycles? Grease, solvents, etc. will break down seals like the latex seals for drysuits and wetsuit seams. Storing a mower in there, lots of chemical fumes, gas fumes from the mower or your car, etc. All that stuff can be rough for sure. My best recommendation would be to check with your local dive shop and ask what their thoughts are or tips they have on storing since they'll be familiar with the heat. Luckily when I was in TX, I was able to store gear inside my house in the guest room. I know that's not an option for everyone.

[@alrobinette3475]

@@CircleHScuba Thanks for the reply and if you were certified at Lake Travis you likely know the stairs or endurance lol. The lake level is so low right now it's 78 steps to the bottom at the park. My garage is a finished garage it just has no air and does get warm. I have been looking at a large storage container I can put my gear for long-term storage. I dive every week so it doesn't hang out long on my rack. I can see it is worth bringing the gear inside after it dried though. Never thought about bringing tanks inside though. Tanks are in the heat all over the world I feel with no issue as long as it's not direct sunlight.

[@CircleHScuba]

​@@alrobinette3475 I absolutely know the stairs and I keep in touch with Dive World Austin folks and have seen the photos. It is INSANE how low it is, but I also believe it's a "normal cycle" and that will rise again over time. It's insane how low it is though, haha. Someone told me they basically have to go way down there, then almost hop off still? Like the lowest part of the stairs still doesn't get you in the water now? I think a storage container that allows a little airflow would be good, and agreed on tanks that it's probably fine. I mean, I've had tanks laying at Windy Point and they never blew an overpressure burst disc or anything. I just would worry about that some because I'm a bit of a safety person, and if my garage got to 120+ I don't know if I'd want a tank that could get a bit hot and may have been a little over filled already to continue to build pressure. I truly think you'd be fine, it's just not "ideal" maybe. Like technically you should rinse out your BCD, rinse your wetsuit, etc. EVERY dive for the best care. Realistically I don't think most of us are actually able to do that.

[@alrobinette3475]

@@CircleHScuba The lake dropped 30+ feet in just 5 weeks after I was there. The sailboat used to be 150 and was down to 100 and now is less than 60 feet. Hopefully it comes back up over time. I do rinse my bcd out with the garden hose and swish is around after ever day of diving. Fresh clean water dunks and rinse at home. Spent a lot of money on gear and I want it to last and keep me alive. Thats the phrase that stuck with me one. This is life saving gear. This is life support gear. Treat it that way. I think the summer months I will start bringing the tanks and stuff inside after it dries to be careful. Thanks for the chat and insights

[@CircleHScuba]

Anytime, always happy to chat with folks. That’s insane that the sailboat is that shallow now, wow! I need to come visit some friends and check it all out haha.

[@sovereignfuzzy4634]

Can you please do more search videos?

[@CircleHScuba]

What kind of search videos? I can see what I can do! What would you like to see though?

[@MrCybernick]

Better Not to blow air from your lungs into a BCD to store it better to use air from air tank and regulator As no moisture compaires to your lungs ...! Dont you think ? Other than that well done with the rest. 🧐

[@CircleHScuba]

I think that little moisture will dry just like any leftover moisture from water since you won’t get it bone dry when draining. Don’t overthink it 😅