28/09/2021
Do We Really Need to Rinse Our Scuba Equipment after a Dive?
As annoying as scuba gear cleanup may be, it is something that cannot be forgotten, especially if you want to prolong the lifespan of your equipment or avoid gear related issues on your next dive. Here are a couple of reasons why you should rinse your gear:
- To Avoid Corrosion. Sea water contains salt, but many people forget that saltwater is corrosive to most metals. Corrosion or rusting, are two chemical processes that can occur in diving equipment that is inadequately rinsed and maintained. Divers need to be aware of this because corrosion and rust can lead to weakening and/or disintegration of dive gear.
- To Minimize Expanding Salt Crystals. When saltwater dries, it leaves behind salt crystals. When these crystals form as salt water evaporates, they can expand and can break the seal between o-rings and other watertight surfaces. Not rinsing the salt from your gear and letting it dry can leave you at risk for unsuspected equipment malfunctions.
- To Get Rid of Sand, Dirt, and other Unmentionables. So if I dive in freshwater, I can skip the gear rinse right?? WRONG. While rinsing dive gear immediately after diving in freshwater is not as critical as after diving in salt water, itβs still important to do in order to remove any dirt or debris that may have gotten into those hard to reach areas. A post-dive rinse will also help to eliminate and prevent other contaminants like microorganisms and algae from settling on your equipment.
Like β€ if we convinced you to rinse your equipment despite all the desire to relax after an exciting diveπ