One of the most important skills you learn as a diver is how to properly wash your equipment. It's very important to wash your equipment thoroughly after every day of diving. Washing your gear ensures that it all performs safely as it was intended to and it will also prolong its life.
Setup
The most common method of washing gear is to use a large tub filled with water. If you don't have a large tub at home you can also use your bathtub. We use two separate tubs, one containing water and detergent for washing wetsuits and booties, and one filled with fresh water for all other gear. If you've been shore diving you may have sand or dirt on some of your equipment and it's a very good idea to rinse this off before washing the gear in the tub.
Regulator
The number one rule when washing your regulator is ensuring that your dust cap is securely in place. This ensures that no water enters the first stage regulator which has internal components that are sensitive to moisture. Before attaching the dust cap it is best to dry the inside of it and of the opening in the first stage regulator. The most common method is to blow it out with air from the dive tank, although this may sometimes be discouraged on boats due to the noise it makes. Another method is to use a dry cloth. Once the dust cap is securely in place you should completely submerge your regulator in fresh water and allow it to soak for at least 5 minutes. Avoid depressing the purge buttons on either second stage regulator while they're in the water as this will allow water to flow into the first stage regulator. Once the regulator has soaked for a while you can hang it up to dry.
BCD
The first step in washing your BCD is to completely submerge it in fresh water and dunk it up and down several times until all salt water and dry salt crystals have been washed away.
The second step is to wash the inside of the BCD. When you're underwater small amounts of water can enter the inside of your BCD through the exhaust valves and low pressure inflator. It is necessary to wash all of this water out as salt water eventually dries inside leaving behind salt crystals which can build up over time and cause exhaust valves to malfunction and the internal bladder to tear. Begin by pushing down on the deflate button of the low pressure inflator while using a hose to pour fresh water into the exhaust valve. Once the bladder is one quarter filled, thoroughly shake the BCD around to allow the water to move all around the inside. Once you've completely rinsed the inside it's time to empty the bladder. The best method is to empty the water through each of the exhaust valves which allows them to be rinsed as well. Now you have a clean and rinsed BCD. Partially inflate the BCD by blowing into the low pressure inflator and hang it up to dry.
Dive Computer and Camera
It is recommended to thoroughly rinse dive computers and cameras in fresh water. You may also like to allow them to soak for an extended period. Remember to thoroughly dry your camera before you open its housing.
Wetsuit, Booties, and Gloves
Your wetsuit, booties, and gloves should be washed in fresh water. You may also like to use some wetsuit wash, a disinfectant detergent available at most dive supply stores. Wash the suit, booties, and gloves by submerging them in water and dunking them up and down, turning them inside out as well to ensure that both inside and outside are completely clean. Afterwards you can hang the wetsuit on a wetsuit hanger to dry. The booties and gloves should also be hung up.
Fins, Mask, Snorkel, and Other Equipment
All other equipment should be submerged in fresh water, dunked up and down until clean and hung up to dry.
