You’ve purchased all the emergency equipment you need to ensure your safety while diving, and you’ve learned how to deploy it all, in the event you ever need to use it to help yourself or another diver during a challenging situation. Here, we’ll take a look at ways to keep your emergency dive equipment in good condition so that it works properly when it is needed.
Follow Operating Procedures Exactly
Each time you purchase a new piece of gear, be sure to read any accompanying literature, and to commit the information contained within that literature to your memory. It’s a good idea to keep a file folder on hand to ensure no important information is lost. If you go for months between dives, refresh your memory before heading out. It takes only a few minutes to do this, yet it can make a huge difference. Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of taking shortcuts, since this can cause problems in the long run. Learning the proper procedures for using safety gear, then making those procedures routine will greatly enhance safety.
Keep Safety Equipment Clean and Well-Maintained
After diving, ensure you take the time to clean each item individually, and to dry it appropriately before re-packaging it. Unless recommended, avoid exposing items to chemicals, oil-based solutions, and aerosol sprays. Dive knives are exempt from this – you’ll want to coat blades with a light layer of silicone or oil for storage. This will help prevent excessive oxidization.
Be sure to keep items such as safety sausages and surface signal kits away from direct heat. To dry these items, hang them individually, either outside, or in a well-ventilated space indoors. Reflective strips, valves, and the fabric itself can be damaged by high heat, so never put these items in the clothes dryer.
Items that contain batteries, including lights, safety strobes, and GPS devices, should be checked periodically to ensure that batteries are fresh. If it’s going to be some time before you dive again, take the batteries out of these items, and store them separately. Storing batteries in the refrigerator can help to extend their lifespan.
Keep Equipment Organized
Create a stowage plan for your emergency gear, and if you use any of it during your dive, be sure you carefully re-package it once it has been properly cleaned and dried. As you re-package your safety gear, be sure that you inspect every item carefully, and test it if necessary. If an item looks at all questionable, consider replacing it right away, since your safety depends on gear functioning as intended.
Finally, remember that each and every piece of gear you use while diving is essential safety gear. Don’t fall into the trap of becoming lax about caring for or maintaining your gear, no matter how tired you are, or how late you are for that post-dive get together. Have your dive gear inspected and serviced regularly, and in addition to performing properly, you’ll discover it lasts longer.