When the time comes to hang up your fins for the winter, making sure you pack your scuba equipment away properly goes a long way towards prolonging its life. Here are some important tips on how to pack for long term dive gear storage.
Start clean by giving your gear a good wash in fresh water. Let everything dry thoroughly before putting it away, keeping it out of direct sunlight as it dries. UV rays can be harmful to neoprene. Turn wetsuits and hoods inside out to allow seams to dry completely. Never store your gear wet or damp.
Stuffing your things into your dive bag and tossing it on a shelf in the garage isn’t the best idea for long term dive gear storage. Insects like spiders and roaches can take up residence in your bag which could make for an unpleasant surprise when you pull it back out. Instead, get a sturdy plastic tub with a lid. If you have extra long free diving fins, measure your fins so you can get a appropriately sized container. Plastic storage tubs come in all shapes and sizes and you can even find long, shallow ones that fit under a bed in which you can stow your fins, masks (in their travel boxes), and snorkels. Keep them inside the house where they won’t be subject to extreme temperature changes.
Don’t fold your wetsuit up — it can lead to permanent creases. Invest in the sturdy hangers designed to hang wetsuits and BCDs and hang these in a closet. Using proper hangers will avoid stretching and pulling the suit out of shape. If you still have the plastic inserts that came with your fins, slip them back inside the foot pocket to help keep its shape.
As for your air cylinders, keep them away from excess heat. If storing gear in the summer, don’t put them in a garage. Keep them upright rather than lying down. Leaving your cylinder on its side for extended periods can cause any water inside the tank to spread over a larger area, where it could corrode the sidewall. Secure the tanks so they don’t get knocked over, and always leave at least 200 psi of air in your cylinder. This will help keep any unwanted contaminants from entering the tank.
Long term dive gear storage doesn’t have to be complicated, but taking the time to do it right can mean you’ll be enjoying your gear for a long time to come.
