Kit Maintenance by Alan Harman
Unless you’re a Lyndajim and dive throughout the year, now’s the time to carry out that all important dive kit maintenance.
Drag it all out of the cupboard, where you bundled it in, thinking that there would be one more dive, before you neatly stored it away!
Diving equipment stored away carefully
Cylinders
1. Strip the boot and inspect cylinder for digs and rust spots.
2. Is it in test and when expires, (middle of next dive season?)
3. Yearly test if nitrox, 30 months if not.
4. You can re-paint body of cylinder, but not collar.
5. Leave with approx 15 bar pressure.
Regulator
1. Inspect hoses. Send away for test if reg’s have had problems last season.
NB. Planet scuba, (nearest dive shop), tests on premises, so no postage cost.
2. Re-configure any bit of hose which annoyed you, when diving.
3. Wash, dry and store with hoses coiled.
Buoyancy Compensator
1. Blow up and inspect for leaks, tears, or any other damage.
2. Sterilise the inside (Milton).
3. Strip down and clean all valves.
4. Inspect and adjust webbing straps. (Was it too baggy or tight last dive).
5. Remove and lubricate all those clips you fitted years ago!
6. When dry, store.
Fins, Mask and Snorkel
1. Inspect straps.
2. Clear algae from inside mask. NB. These should be used every pool night during the winter, to keep you lot fit!!
DSMB and reel
1. Unwind reel to check if string is actually attached to reel.
2. Check string for damage when winding on reel.
3. Is the clip in good working order? Lubricate.
4. Check the DSMB. They don’t last forever!
Torch
1. Remove batteries or charge rechargeable types.
2. Clean. Remove “o” rings, lubricate and reassemble
3. Buy spare lamp.
4. Check bungee, straps, clips for damage.
Dry Suit
1. Now’s the time to send it away, if it leaked last year. (Hammond nearest manufacturer).
2. Inspect for damage.
3. Wash, dry and lubricate zip.
4. Talc the wrist and neck seals.
5. Store as advised by manufacturer, usually loosely rolled up, out of sunlight.
Wetsuit, Gloves and Hood
1. Check for damage (fingers missing).
2. Lightly talc and store with dry suit.
Knife and Cutters
1. Clean, remove rust.
2. Sharpen blades.
3. Grease up.
4. Check straps for damage.
Weight Belt
1. Remove excess weight. !
This lot should take a while, but have it ready for Sunday 7th Feb 2010. First dive of year.
