BCD Clean Out Procedure

[@mustanggun]

Hey Brian, just something to add that I do is, after I'm done rinsing the inside of the bladder I take off all the dump valves and inflator hose and just let the bladder hang so moving air can flow through the bladder and totally dry out the bladder on the inside. That way no mold (and whatnot) won't grow inside. Thx for the video Brian.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Great advice mustanggun. Thank You.

[@markboscawen8330]

I do the same but after removing corrugated hose I hang it up by hooking the inflation port over a wire coat hanger. Because open end of corrugated inflator hose is down all the water can drain. Sealing disc/washer is put into a BC pocket so won’t get lost.

[@_Darrell_]

Also to add… after putting water in the bladder, I dump fresh water out of every dump valve and lastly the inflator hose. Then I will orally inflate the bcd, check for more water in the bladder and if necessary, empty out of rest of water by use of j flavor hose. I always make sure to store with a little bit of air in the bcd.

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Thank you for saving us money and keeping our equipment lasting longer

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome Ivory Johnson, glad you liked the video.

[@ralphheise14]

Thanks for the tip with the silicone lubricant ... just a view drops and it does miracles!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Glad you found our video helpful Ralph Heise.

[@WordizbonDon]

Wow, I'm new to diving and bought all my own gear but I didn't know any of this. Glad I decided to look up why my BCD has water in it.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Glad you liked the video and found it helpful @WordisbonDon.

[@bunhead8]

good tips on easy care, thank you.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome bunhead8, glad you liked the video.

[@joshuasnider2639]

Awesome video as always. We talked at your shop and you told me to flush my second stage with water also. Some have told me to never do that to prevent water to the first stage. Id love to see a video on that.

[@timgosling6189]

Flushing your second stages is a really good practice to get into. Just make sure the hose stays above the second stage so water doesn't flow back up it. When you've finished, shake it out and let it drain with the hose still above it. If you have a cylinder to hand, connect the first stage and purge the reg a few times to remove any remaining water.

[@joshuasnider2639]

@@timgosling6189 Thanks Tim. I'm new to diving and get alot of information from lake hickorys videos. The dive community is amazing also. Everyone I have met seems to be very nice and helpful.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hey Josh, I will be glad to make a video showing you how to flush your second stage out safely.

[@naa62]

I was wondering if the hose would work with the aqualung air source , where it is also a fully functional regulator . Thank you

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello NAA, that would be a question you would need to ask your local Aqualung Dealer. Certain brands, such as Aqualung, Scuba Pro, and Mares, have different quick disconnects for integrated inflator / regulator combos.

[@HypnoticAbyss]

Awesome, Thanks for the video!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome HypnoticAbyss

[@austingode]

Great videos 🙏

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks rob dog, glad you liked the video.

[@motivationandtravelchannel4575]

Great stuff the is the PROPER way!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks MOTIVATION AND TRAVEL CHANNEL S.

[@slyderace]

This was So helpful! I just bought my own bcd this week and tested it out yesterday. I got home and heard water floshing around inside and panicked. I didn't realize the water had come in from the oral inflation mouthpiece. Lol

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Glad you liked the video Slyder Ace.

[@elmago8268]

Hi Brian should you soak it in warm or cold water?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Great question El Mago, and one I don't really have an answer for. I typically just use what comes out of the spicket.

[@flyingnittanylion]

My Zeagle Stilletto BCD inflator hose has a water hose thread on the end so there's no need for any adapters to fill the bladder with water! I just unscrew my octo and connect the water hose

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks for sharing @flyingnittanylion. Zeagle makes some great products.

[@luikriaco]

Thanks mate !

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome LOU CRU

[@zebrastrong9291]

Glad to be back to watching your vids! Been in Manhattan on assignment (travel nurse) for the last several months. We just finished up and went down the east coast diving our way to Ginnie Springs. Haven you been to Phoenix Lake in Rawlings, VA?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Zebra, thank you for your service. Hope all is well in this crazy world. I have been to Lake Phoenix, many times. As a matter of fact, I leave this coming Friday morning to head up to Lake Phoenix. I will be there until Sunday night.

[@robbynatividad6857]

Geat info!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks Robby Natividad, glad you liked the video.

[@bek8375]

Thanks

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome.

[@mgallager1449]

Great video 👏

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thank You M GALLAGER

[@michaelfrazier8606]

My wife has the scubapro air 2, and I use the mares air control bcd octo/inflator. Is there any certain way I should add water to regulator to rinse out the bcd?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello michael Frazier, the most simpilist method is to hold open the exhaust button on both and squirt water directly into the mouthpiece of the regulator / inflator. Swish it around a little bit, then drain. Hopes this helps.

[@begliirab]

Is it necessary to dry it insight somehow after i finish my diving vocation and put my bcd in a closet for a half year?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @begliirab, one option is to unscrew your inflator hose from the bladder and let the moister drain out and evaporate prior to storage. It's always best to store your BCD with air in the bladder to keep the integrity of the bladder itself. Hope this helps.

[@begliirab]

@@LakeHickoryScuba thanx!

[@albertbell7120]

Do Scubapro make that fitting for filling ... I just use the hose but that fitting would be nice 🇬🇧👌

[@justin4n6]

Should be same fitting regardless of brand.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Albert Bell, it depends. I a diver is using the Air 2, the inflator adapter is most likely a proprietary part. This will prevent you from using the same connection.

[@albertbell7120]

LakeHickoryScuba Thanks I also use the Air2 👍🇬🇧👌

[@coreybaldwin989]

Brian, you make great videos! Always!!! Keep up the good work, like seeing what you put out there!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks Corey baldwin, glad you like them. We have one coming out on cleaning the second stage of a regulator next.

[@georgeibanez8117]

I have an AI from scubapro, will the myflex hose cleaner connect to it since the connector seems different than the standard BCD connector?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello George Ibanez, you will need to check with you ScubaPro dealer. Some ScubaPro connections are proprietary.

[@darrenwootton2007]

Another way I find is fill your bcd with air till the valves blow out the water I use the kidney dump.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

That will work as well Darren. thanks for sharing.

[@petrsedlak4761]

Strange thing. I never had water in my BCD after the dive. Don't know what am I doing different, but I don't have to dump water from bladder. Of course there are few drops inside. But these few drops you will never be able to dump. Too small amount of water. So servicing my inflator is simple and not messy at all. And what is even more interesting, remaining water in my BCD never gets smelly unlike my suits that are a bit smelly no matter what I do. I would never drink the water from my BCD, but it looks like lack of the air prevents water inside from decomposing. What I usualy do after diving at salty water is one dive at fresh water and little bit of drinking water after the dive to rinse all moving parts like inflator, valves, etc. When servicing inflator, there is no salt inside. Just usual assortment of small particles that are easy to clean.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Petr Sedlak, sounds like you have a great system and cleaning method.

[@petrsedlak4761]

@@LakeHickoryScuba Thanks, but if you'd ask me how to achieve that, I simply have no idea :D