Why Do Divers Rinse Off After Dive?

scuba diving

One thing you will notice when out diving, is that scuba divers rinsing off after diving. Why do divers rinse off after dive is a fairly good question? They are a variety of reasons they do this from protecting the equipment and rinsing off the saltwater.

Scuba divers rinse off after their dive is to rinse off the saltwater and anything else that might have been picked up during the dive. And then they rinse the diving equipment for the same reason to wash off the saltwater to protect it from corrosion.

In today’s post, we will go through in more detail why do divers rinse off after their dive, so let’s get started!

Read more on common questions asked by divers

Why Do Divers Rinse Off After Dive?

Scuba divers rinse off after the dive is to rinse off the saltwater and anything dirt that might have picked up while out diving. They rinse the diving equipment for the same reason to wash off the saltwater and any other dirt that might have been picked up when out diving.

After scuba diving, the diver and the equipment’s two biggest problems are the saltwater and sun. As salt is very corrosive and the sun evaporates the seawater leaving only the salt.

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Why Is It Important To Rinse Dive Gear?

The salt in the saltwater leaves corrosive brine or salt deposits, which increases the deterioration of the dive equipment like the scuba tanks or the regulator. You want to avoid gear-related issues on your next dive. And to even prolong the equipment’s lifespan.

Here are a couple of reasons why you should rinse yourself and your gear after the dive.

To Rinse Off Salt Water, Dirt, And Anything Else

The main reason scuba divers rinse after diving is to wash off the saltwater and any dirt that might have been picked up when out diving.

To Avoid Corrosion

Corrosion is a big problem for diving equipment. To protect the equipment from corrosion as the metals and alloys have the potential for corrosion, especially when exposed to seawater.

It is a good idea to get into the habit to rinse and clean all your gear whenever after you finish diving.

Protecting your equipment from corrosion will extend the lifespan of your dive equipment. Remember that it is much cheaper over time than repairing or replacing them.

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To Rinse Off Bacteria

After reason is that you don’t know what nasty bacteria or organism you picked up and is now living on you or somewhere on your equipment. A good rinse should kill pretty much anything.

Cleaning You Dive Gear

You should get into the habit to rinse and clean all your gear after you finish diving.

How to clean your equipment is covered in the diving certificating, we will give a quick rundown on cleaning dive gear. So let’s dive in.

Clean Your Regulators

The regulator is sometimes a tricking one to clean, but these steps should help to clean your regulator.

  • Firstly use the compressed air to remove the water on that cap.
  • Then secure the cap to the regulator.
  • Then rinse the regulator in freshwater.
  • Also, clean the mouthpiece properly soapy water.
  • Let it dry off completely by hanging it before storing it. As it must be dry before storing it.

Cleaning Your BCD

You also need to take care of your BCD. This one found is the hardest.

  • Rinse the BCD with freshwater either by spraying all over or dunking in a tub of freshwater.
  • While spraying or dunking the BCD. Use the inflator and deflator buttons, and the dump valves on your BCD.
  • Pressing the deflator button on your BCD, You need to run fresh water into your inflator hose, and into the bladder inside your BCD. Making sure the water gets into the jacket.
  • You need to drain the water through the dump valves, pull the deflate cord. Then inflate and deflate the BCD as quickly as you can to push out as much water as you can.
  • Finally when storing the BCD, partially inflate it and hang it to dry in a cool place.

How To Take Care Of Your Scuba Tank?

Your scuba tanks need to be properly cleaned after scuba diving. Corrosion can be a big problem with the scuba tanks if the saltwater is not washed off.

it is important you prevent any salt from building up in the cylinder as this will cause corrosion.

dive tanks equipment
  • The scuba tank needs a properly rinse with fresh water.
  • Focus on the tank valve. As to get rid of any sand and grit that has got stuck on the tank valve.
  • When finished store the cylinder in a secure upright position or lying down horizontally.

When storing the tank it shouldn’t be full or empty. If empty this will make it easy for contamination to occur.

While if stored when full, it can eventually lead to cracks.

Underwater Cameras

With your underwater camera, you only have to thoroughly soak and rinsed. Be gentle if they are any sensors.

Wetsuits, Booties, And Gloves

You can rinse these or dunk them in a tub of freshwater. And you hang them in a dry in a cool place.

Dive Knife

With your dive knife, you will only have to rinse it with fresh water, before storing it away safely

knife for diving

Dive Computer

With your dive computer, you need to rinse it gently. You rinse it with fresh water and mild soap. Many dive computers have many parts and external contacts, this makes them susceptible to salt build up and corrosion.

Give these a scrub the contacts with a soft toothbrush and freshwater. Be aware of the device’s sensors and depth sensors that are located on the side of the dive computer. And be gentle.

Wrapping Up

Finally, scuba divers rinse after diving is to rinse off the salt water and any other dirt that might have been picked up. Also, the saltwater is very Corrosion to the diving equipment they need to be rinsed after diving to protect them from Corrosion.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on why do divers rinse off after dive has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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Divers Rinse Off After Dive

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