Rinsing a BCD
- Thread starter SoCal Surfer
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scubamanny
Registered
I just keep the deflate button depressed and fill my BC with a garden hose. Slosh around, empty and repeat.
hopeitsapar
Guest
SoCal Surfer:
I will take off the dump valve, fill with water and rinse. After, I will typically leave the valve off for a day or so, just to let all the moisture dry, then put the valve back on. Is this causing any harm to the bladder?
I am all for the removing of one of the dump valves. It is relatively easy and provides a large entrance for water. Just my 2 cents. 
OP
SoCal Surfer
Registered
hopeitsapar:
This is what I have found out about doing this on MY bcd. If I remove the dump valve, there are moving parts that get exposed; a spring and the disc that seals on the seat (if this is what they are called). After, I removed the dump valve, I had to stretch the spring out to regain the seal. I dove with bubble coming out the whole time. I didn't like that at all. SO, I have been removing the hose connector which has no moving parts exposed. The valve is in the hose assembly.
Now, I have talked to a great many people and I have consistently heard that opening it up and filling it is a great idea. Some suggested an occasional internal bcd shampoo and some said that was not necessary as baby shampoo works well. Whatever? Many folks said that drying the inside of the bcd was huge to keep mold out but they all suggested filling with air and hanging. Some suggested filling with air from a tank because of the drying effect of low humidity air and then changing the air. I have always stored my bcd with a little air to keep the inside of the bladder from sticking together and maintain shape. Somebody told me that's why I do it so I just do it. I also read that rinsing the inside of your bcd with listerine a few times a year will kill shtuff growing inside. I ran into this older cat while diving at Old Marineland and his bcd was over 10 years old. He said that he only rinses his bcd with freshwater by opening the bcd and filling her up after every dive. SO, that's all the information I came up with. I will be filling my bcd with water through the hose connection and rinsing the hell out of it. I'll be storing it with air inside and changing that air to help dry the inside. Every now and then I'll use this bottle of bcd shampoo that I have and cross my fingers that I'll be able to pass this piece of equipment on to somebody in great condition in 5 years or so. =)
truck1
Contributor
The other option you might want to try is to take the low pressure inflator hose,hold it up and let the water run into the hose gently to fillup the unit.Then pull the emergency deflate handle and let the water run out.this rinses all of the mechanincal pieces in the inflator hose and runs water past your release valves.Also, on the second or third time, add a little air to give the water a little boost on the way out.( orally of course.)Turning the unit upside down to drain the water should not hurt either.
SteveC
Contributor
I was taught at a recent equipment care class, to remove the inflator hose and all dump valves, and clean the seal areas. The inflator hose on both of our BC’s unscrews just as easily as the dump valves.
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