How to properly care for diving gear: Wetsuits, dry suits and other equipment
30. 1. 2025
Proper maintenance of diving equipment extends its lifespan, ensures safety and comfort during dives. Not only wetsuits and dry suits, but also other equipment such as regulators, jackets, tanks or ABC sets (mask, snorkel, fins) require regular care. How to do it?
Neoprene Suits: Cleaning and Storage
- Rinse your wetsuit with fresh water after each dive to remove salt, sand and chlorine residue.
- Dry the suit inside out in a shady, well-ventilated place. Direct sunlight can damage the structure of the material.
- Do not use a dryer or radiator, high temperatures reduce the elasticity of the neoprene.
- Store the suit hanging on a wide hanger or rolled up, never folded.
Drysuits: Cleaning, Storage, and Zipper Care
- Rinse and clean – After diving, rinse the suit with cold water to remove dirt, salt and sand. Pay special attention to the zipper and valves. Rinse both the drain and fill valves under running water.
- Drying – Hang the suit in a shady place with the zipper open. If the inside is damp, turn the suit inside out. Dry thoroughly, especially the shoes. Never dry in direct sunlight.
- Zipper care – YKK plastic zippers should be treated according to the instructions included with each zipper lubricant. Never apply lubricant to the entire length of the zipper, but only in the area of the docking part (zipper lock). Carefully apply the lubricant to the surface on the front and back of the lock, as well as inside where the zipper chains connect. We recommend treating the zipper, for example, after every third dive. If the teeth are dirty, use only soapy water and a soft brush to clean them. Never clean a YKK plastic zipper with gasoline, toluene or any chemical product. This procedure will permanently damage the polyurethane layer under the teeth, which will subsequently crack, peel off and break the waterproofness of the teeth.
- Latex cuff maintenance – After every tenth dive, wash latex cuffs with a mild soap solution. After drying, lightly dust with special powder or spray with silicone spray.
- Storage – Make sure the suit is completely dry, with the zipper open. It is best to store the suit hanging by your boots or rolled up, always in a dry environment away from ozone sources. If you are not using it for a long time, hang it on a hanger for a day after three months.
This information is general, you should always follow the instructions for the specific suit.
Automatics (I. and II. stage regulator)
- After each dive, rinse the regulator in fresh water, ideally under pressure.
- Never leave it loose in water without pressure - this will prevent water from entering the first stage.
- Do not break the hoses, but gently bend them into a "loop" and store them in a dry place.
- Store the controller in a protective packaging to prevent mechanical damage.
Jacket (BCD: buoyancy compensator)
- Rinse your BCD with fresh water after each dive, and if you have been diving in salt water, rinse the inside of the bladder as well.
- When storing, keep the BCD slightly inflated to prevent the walls of the tube from sticking together.
- Check all straps, buckles and valves before each dive.
- Hang it on a hanger to keep its shape.
Bottle: How to prevent corrosion and damage
- Never leave the bottle completely empty, as there is a risk of moisture entering and corrosion of the interior.
- After the dive, rinse the valve and cylinder body with fresh water to remove any salt residue.
- Store the bottle in an upright position and secure it against falling to prevent damage to the valve.
- Regularly check service intervals, including internal inspection and pressure test. Revision is required every 5 years.
ABC set (mask, snorkel, fins)
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Maintaining the mask is easy and quick. Before using it for the first time, soak it in spring water to completely degrease it. After each use, rinse it with clean water and protect it from direct sunlight. To prevent fogging, we recommend applying a special anti-fog agent to the dry mask before each use.
- Store the mask in a protective box to prevent scratching the glass or deforming the cheekpiece.
- Do not store the fins folded or leaning against the wall, as this could cause them to deform.
The biggest threats to diving equipment
- Sun – UV radiation destroys neoprene, rubber parts and plastic components.
- Sand and salt water – get into valves and zippers, causing corrosion and clogging.
- Chemicals – chlorine, oils and aggressive cleaning agents can damage seals and zippers.
- Poor storage – folded zippers, squeezed regulators or incorrect hanging can cause irreversible deformations.
Don't forget regular service
- Automatics – professional inspection and replacement of worn parts at least once a year.
- Cylinders – regular pressure test and inspection of the inner surface (after 5 years).
- BCD – check of inflator and valves together with regulator service.
- Dry suit – leak test, check zippers and valves before the season.
Taking care of your diving equipment is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also of safety. Follow these basic rules and your equipment will serve you for many years.
