Your dive gear represents a significant investment—often thousands of dollars. Yet many divers unknowingly damage their equipment through well-intentioned but incorrect maintenance practices. The gear mistakes you make today become the repair bills you pay tomorrow.
The good news? Most maintenance errors are easy to fix once you know about them. This guide covers the most common mistakes divers make with each piece of equipment—and the correct practices that will extend your gear's life for years.
Mistake #1: The Quick Rinse That Doesn't Clean
You've finished diving and you spray your gear with fresh water. Done, right?
Not quite. A quick rinse is one of the most widespread mistakes in gear care—and it's causing more damage than you realize.
The Problem
Salt water doesn't just wash off. When you spray gear briefly, you leave moisture in crevices and mechanisms. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind salt crystals. These crystals:
- Corrode metal components
- Degrade rubber and silicone seals
- Jam moving parts like inflator buttons
- Create rough surfaces that accelerate wear
The Right Way
Soak, don't spray. Your gear needs full submersion in fresh water for at least 30 minutes. During this time:
- Agitate items periodically to dislodge salt from hidden areas
- Actuate buttons and mechanisms while submerged (except regulator purge—see below)
- Change the water if diving in particularly salty or silty conditions
- Dry completely before storage
A dedicated rinse tank or large tub makes this practical. The investment pays for itself in reduced repairs.
Mistake #2: Wetsuit Abuse
Your wetsuit may not have buttons or batteries, but it's surprisingly easy to damage through improper care.
Common Errors
- Hanging by the shoulders: Stretches the neck and shoulder areas permanently
- Storing folded: Creates permanent creases that don't keep you warm
- Direct sunlight: UV degrades neoprene, reducing flexibility and insulation
- Leaving wet: Mold and mildew develop, causing odors and material breakdown
- Harsh detergents: Strip neoprene oils and accelerate degradation
Correct Wetsuit Care
- Use a wide hanger or fold over a thick rod at the waist—never hang by shoulders
- Rinse inside and out with fresh water after every use
- Use wetsuit shampoo/conditioner periodically to maintain material suppleness
- Store in cool, dark, dry location—never in a hot car or garage
- Turn inside out occasionally to ensure inner lining dries completely
A properly maintained wetsuit can last 5-10 years. An abused one might last 2.
Mistake #3: Regulator Care Errors
Your regulator is life support equipment. Yet many divers damage theirs during well-intentioned cleaning.
The Critical Errors
- Rinsing with dust cap off: Fresh water enters the first stage and causes internal corrosion
- Pressing purge button while rinsing: Forces water through the second stage diaphragm
- Skipping annual service: Internal components degrade even with light use
- Storing with moisture inside: Leads to internal corrosion and diaphragm damage
Correct Regulator Care
- Ensure dust cap is secure and dry before any rinsing
- Soak in fresh water without pressing any buttons
- Annual professional service is essential regardless of dive frequency
- Store in cool, dry location with hoses loosely coiled
According to Divers Alert Network (DAN), regulator failure is a factor in numerous diving incidents. Most failures are preventable with proper maintenance.
Mistake #4: BCD Neglect
Your BCD has an often-forgotten component: the inside of the bladder. If you're only rinsing the outside, you're doing half the job.
Common Errors
- Never rinsing inside the bladder: Salt accumulates, degrades material, corrodes valves
- Storing with water inside: Mold growth, material degradation
- Fully inflating for storage: Stresses seams and stretches material
- Ignoring dump valves: Salt buildup causes sticky or failed operation
Correct BCD Care
- Rinse exterior thoroughly including all buckles and webbing
- Fill bladder with fresh water through the oral inflator, slosh vigorously, then drain completely through dump valves
- Store partially inflated (about 1/3 full) to prevent material from sticking together
- Operate dump valves periodically to ensure they function smoothly
Mistake #5: Mask and Snorkel Damage
Masks and snorkels seem simple, but improper care shortens their lifespan dramatically.
Common Errors
- Storing with strap stretched over lens: Causes permanent deformation of the frame
- Leaving in sunlight: UV degrades silicone, making skirt stiff and prone to cracking
- Using abrasive cleaners: Scratches lenses and damages coatings
- Ignoring snorkel interior: Salt and bacteria accumulate inside
Correct Care
- Store in a protective case with strap relaxed
- Rinse thoroughly including the interior of the snorkel tube
- Keep silicone away from petroleum-based products (sunscreen, lubricants)
- Occasional cleaning with diluted baby shampoo removes oils without damage
Mistake #6: Fin Failures
Fins seem indestructible—until they warp, crack, or the straps fail at the worst possible moment.
Common Errors
- Storing standing upright: Warps blades over time, especially for full-foot fins
- Leaving in hot car: Deforms plastic and rubber components
- Ignoring strap condition: Straps degrade and fail without warning
- Not rinsing buckle mechanisms: Salt causes corrosion and sticky operation
Correct Fin Care
- Store flat or hanging by the heel pocket
- Rinse completely including buckle springs and adjustment mechanisms
- Inspect straps regularly and replace before failure
- Keep away from heat sources and direct sunlight
Mistake #7: Dive Computer Damage
Your dive computer is a sophisticated electronic device. It requires specific care that differs from other gear.
Common Errors
- Pressing buttons while rinsing: Can force water past seals designed for ambient pressure, not direct pressure
- Not rinsing at all: Salt corrodes sensors and buttons
- Storing with dead battery: Low voltage can damage internal components
- Ignoring battery schedules: Old batteries leak and destroy electronics
Correct Computer Care
- Soak in fresh water—don't scrub buttons or use high-pressure water
- Dry completely before storing
- Replace batteries according to manufacturer schedule (or when indicator shows low)
- Check O-rings if user-replaceable battery compartments
Mistake #8: Camera Housing Errors
For underwater photographers, housing care is critical. One mistake can flood your camera.
Common Errors
- Opening housing while still wet: Water drips inside onto camera and electronics
- Skipping O-ring inspection: One hair or sand grain can cause a flood
- Using wrong lubricant: Petroleum-based products degrade O-rings
- Rinsing with high-pressure water: Can force water past seals
Correct Housing Care
- Soak in fresh water with housing closed for at least 30 minutes
- Dry exterior completely before opening—use a clean towel or compressed air
- Clean O-rings after every use and lightly lubricate with proper silicone grease
- Store with housing slightly open to allow airflow and prevent seal compression set
Quality underwater housings like the DIVEVOLK housing systems are designed for durability, but even the best equipment requires proper care to perform reliably.
Annual Maintenance Checklist
Beyond daily care, some maintenance tasks should happen yearly:
- Regulator service: Professional inspection and rebuild regardless of use frequency
- BCD inspection: Check bladder, valves, and connections
- Computer battery: Replace according to schedule or indicator
- O-ring replacement: Replace all user-serviceable O-rings annually
- Wetsuit inspection: Check seams, zipper, and neoprene condition
- Strap and buckle check: Replace worn components before failure
When to Retire Gear
Even well-maintained equipment eventually reaches end of life. Watch for:
- Persistent leaks despite O-ring replacement
- Regulator performance issues that persist after service
- Wetsuit delamination or significant compression loss
- Cracked or degraded plastic/silicone components
- Manufacturer end-of-support for parts and service
Safety trumps frugality. When equipment reliability is questionable, replace it.
Start Today
You don't need to overhaul your entire maintenance routine overnight. Pick one habit to improve and build from there:
- Get a proper rinse tank for soaking
- Buy a wide wetsuit hanger
- Schedule that overdue regulator service
- Check your O-ring lubricant—is it the right type?
Small habits compound over your equipment's lifetime. The diver who maintains gear well spends less on repairs, experiences fewer failures, and dives with greater confidence.
Your gear takes care of you underwater. It's time to take care of it on land.
