EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST

EQUIPMENT REMINDERS

In order to maintain the lifetime warranties on your regulator and BCD, you must bring them in for a yearly inspection/overhaul.
If you are planning a tropical dive vacation, it is best to bring them in immediately after your trip. Even one drop of salt water left inside of a regulator can cause a great deal of corrosion. If you are not planning any winter trips, bring it in after your summer diving season. That way they will be ready to go this spring, and you won't have to worry about it, or wait for it to be finished. 

As a good preventive measure, you will want to have your regulator and alternate air source tested prior to each dive trip.
|This can by done by bringing it into Klein Scuba within two weeks of your dive vacation. By doing this we will give you a FREE EVALUATION on the function of each piece. Most of the time we will give it right back to you when it checks out OK.

PROPER STORAGE OF EQUIPMENT

MASKS: Gently scrub the lenses with your finger tips and 500 PSI. This will remove the water spots, and anything else that is on the lens. Then clean the entire mask with a mild soap solution, water, and rinse. Towel dry, and then store in a dry padded, light blocking container. Check the mask strap for cuts and replace as needed. Check the buckles for proper operation.

SNORKELS: Wash in mild soap and water, rinse, and dry. Store in a dry, dark area. Check mouthpiece for tears and replace as needed. Check snorkel keeper for cracks.

FINS: Same care as snorkels, plus install foot pocket formers. If your fins are made of all rubber you should treat them with a coating of silicone spray. Check straps for rotting and splitting, replace as needed. Inspect buckles; make sure they are in good working order.

WEIGHT BELTS: Wash with a scrub brush in mild soap and water and let dry. Inspect buckle for proper operation. 

REGULATORS AND GAUGES: Have your regulator yearly inspection and tune-up completed. This way your warranty will remain intact. By doing this you will be starting out each year with the equivalent of a new regulator. Make sure that your dust cap has been properly installed, and then rinse the entire unit with fresh water. Towel dry and then store in a padded bag in a cool dry place.

WETSUITS: Wash all of your wetsuit pieces with only wetsuit shampoo, or Sink the Stink and water! Then hang up each piece individually and dry it inside out. After the inside is dry, turn it right side out and dry the outside. Always use a wide hanger for the jacket and pants. Try to avoid any creases in any of your wetsuit pieces. Your wetsuit hood, boots, and gloves can be dried and stored on an accessory hanger.

BCD'S: Begin by cleaning the inner bladder surface with a BC Life cleaner and surfactant. With the remaining mixture you can clean the outside of the BCD. Store it 1/2 inflated in a cool, dry place. This would also be a good time to have the valves cleaned and lubricated to maintain their warranty.

DIVE BAGS: These can also be washed with mild detergent, water and scrub brush. Remove any padding before washing. Padding can be washed but not inside of bag. Dry thoroughly. Check straps and buckles for cracking and fraying.

TANKS: Drain to a pressure of 100 - 300 psi. If your tank were in need of a visual inspection or hydro test before your next season starts, this idle time would be the best time to do it. If the valve is a little stiff, it should also be rebuilt. If you are going to have your tanks converted over to NITROX, this is the best time to do that also. Store your tanks lying down in a cool dry place off the concrete floor.

LIGHTS: Rinse the exterior of the light with fresh water before storage. Lightly lubricate 0-rings and sealing surfaces with silicone grease. Loosen up the bezel and anything else that is compressing O-rings. Prior to use you can tighten them back up. This will help prevent your O-rings from taking a set. Store in cool place WITHOUT batteries