Why does my BCD have water inside? | Answered |

[@markboscawen8330]

On my US made BCD the connector between the inflator and corrugated hose has the same thread as a US hose fitting. Instructions say it’s so can flush using a garden hose. Not in US so bought an adaptor to link garden hose to the BCD connector and flush away with a 1/4 turn of the tap. Completely fills the BCD so no need to pickup and turnover to make sure everywhere has been rinsed. When full, automatically flushes the kidney dump valves. Unscrewing these valves empties it is seconds. Then I hang up to dry, leaving the dump valves off so inside dries as well. Once dry, reattach valves and store partially inflated. This works for me because I can still rinse other gear while BCD is filling with water & separating the pressure inflator/dump valve off the corrugated hose gives it a chance to completely dry out. When I didn’t do this the stem on the actual valve itself ( it’s actually just a bicycle tyre valve insert on my brand of BCD) rusted out from remaining droplets of rinse water in the corrugated hose running down and pooling at the inflator when hung up for storage.

[@LizzyB0176]

Why does the water go "sploosh" when making a splash?

[@AgrippaTheMighty]

Beginner open water diver here. I don't know, but I think it's easier for me to just rent the BCD, weights, fins, etc, and let the diving operator worry about equipment maintenance. Having said that, I think it makes more sense to purchase my own dive computer and regulator and just bring those 2 items with me everytime I go in a dive vacation.

[@marcin.j.wasiak]

all depends how much and "how deep" you get into diving. Having same functional properties and knowing the history of equipment is the biggest advantage of having your own gear. Should you dive once or twice a year in tropics than limiting it to regs, computer (and let me advice also mask, boots and rash guard) is a good call. the more advanced and challenging diving, the bigger need for own kit - you will not rent a good drysuit or sidemount kit that will fit you well on day 1.

[@AgrippaTheMighty]

@@marcin.j.wasiak Thank you for the advise! Yes, I'm not a frequent diver and I plan to go mainly to the tropics. Frankly, I'm not a fan of decompression diving. Although I have my own mask and rash guard, I've got to get my boots and fins.

[@javiercaselli]

It also depends on your size, I'm a "big and tall" guy and some "XXL" wetsuits for rental just don't fit me properly, the best thing I've ever purchased for diving was my own suit, also, much comfy and better quality than the (understandably) relatively low end stuff usually offered for rental. Nowadays I own everything but a cylinder and I never looked back to rental stuff. But having said that, it's a wise move to go little by little.

[@ee02108]

Having your own equipment is good because usually the equipment you rent is not very well maintained and if you use always the same stuff you will be quicker to solve any issue under water.

[@conference-interpreter]

What kind of detergent should I use? Baby Shampoo? Should I use some kind of desinfectant for fliushing the inside of the bladder?

[@marcin.j.wasiak]

if you rinse it with just a tap water after every dive than nasties wont grow but even more importantly you need to rinse inflator valve and dump valves. Having salt buildup you risk uncontrolled inflation when the bottom sticks or valve seat lets air slowly in (and suddenly you find yourself at the surface) , same for leaking kidney valves. Re cleaning you may want to use Steramine (tablets) that is cathionic detergent that works as food grade desinfectant that will both kill the bugs and help to remove buildups. It is also a good choice for your neoprene gear (wetsuit and boots!) and also BCD internals - 20min soak time, 1 tblt / gallon of water

[@hoffman322]

why is water wet?

[@paulrichardson2554]

Physics

[@ee02108]

got h2O in the liquid form on it

[@pinnaclegun8462]

Four different dives and I keep floating up. In the water for 15 minutes I start to rise. My weight Is 14 pounds then went with 20 pounds but still float back to the top. So disappointed with this issue.

[@pslykkman]

Does your BCD inflate on its own? If so could be a leaky or stuck inflator. Tbh unless it's a rapid inflation you should be able to dump air out to compensate to avoid floating. Are you doing weight checks before the dive? If so this shouldn't happen but remember if you are using aluminium tanks they will get lighter and more buoyant as you use up air. You should be weighed appropriately at the beginning of the dive to account for this by adding a few lbs of weight at the beginning of the dive so you are neutral at the end.

[@alexstewart9747]

Why do we need to breath under water….. ffs

[@ee02108]

you don't, you can do it over water too.