How's Your Dive Equipment Holding Up?

It's been a busy summer of diving, with local action at our sandpits near Kearney, regional trips to Oronogo, Missouri; Bull Shoals, Arkansas and Oahe Reservoir in South Dakota. New divers have been certified, certified divers have completed specialty classes, and divers of all levels have been getting their equipment wet at dive sites large and small, in salt water and fresh water, from boat and from shore.

Husker Divers' equipment servicing bench has seen a variety of maintenance needs come under the skilled hands of our on-staff tech guy. Divers have brought their equipment into the store for regular, annual servicing as well as for repairs large and small.

What about your own dive equipment? How's it holding up? When you pick up your regulator, can you hear sand inside, like a couple of 2nd stages we've had in the shop recently? How do your inflate and deflate buttons work? Does your regulator have a round, yellow SSI service tag on it from within the past year? How about the yellow service sleeve on your console hose?

We've seen dive equipment in all stages of repair and disrepair this summer. Some divers are very conscientious with their equipment. Others, unfortunately, are not. Remember what you learned in your Open Water Diver class - take care of your equipment, and it will take care of you. Do this after your next dive:

-Soak and/or thoroughly rinse your equipment, including your 2nd stages and your console, in fresh water to remove all salt or sand. Swish your gear around in the water and be sure all sand, silt, and anything else are out before you dry it.

-Rinse the inside of your BC with fresh water, slosh it around, and turn the BC upside down to drain, holding your oral inflation button open to allow the water to drain out (if you have the AirSource 3, just let the water run out the corrugated hose on the shoulder). You may need to shift the BC around in order to get the last of the water out of the nooks and crannies. Once it's empty of water, orally inflate it to keep the bladder from sticking together and hang it to dry. You can also use wetsuit/BC shampoo in water to wash and rinse out your BC.

-Take integrated weight pockets, dive knives, and other accessories off your BC and rinse those, too. If your knife sheath is mounted to your BC, check the fasteners to be sure they're tight.

-After thoroughly washing your wetsuit and other neoprene items, like boots, hoods, and gloves, in fresh water or water with wetsuit shampoo, hang them to dry inside out. Once the inside of these items is dry, turn them right side out to continue drying, and hang them, ready for your next dive. Remember to hang your suit on a hangar with wide shoulders to prevent creases in the neoprene. Neoprene boots can be unzipped, the cuffs rolled down, and left in a shady area to dry. Hang them upside down, if possible, or stuff newspaper inside to absorb moisture. 500 PSI's "Fresh Again" spray is great for spraying inside boots and on any of your neoprene for a fresh scent.

-Occasionally use 500 PSI "Mask Scrub" on your mask lenses, inside and out, to remove defog buildup and any water spots. Wash the entire mask thoroughly with dishwashing soap, using an old toothbrush to get into nooks and crevices.

-Computer screens and the glass over compasses can be scratched or broken. Always store and travel with your console inside a protective case or bag.

-Check your fin and mask straps for wear and cracks. Consider picking up spare straps to keep in your tool/spare parts kit in case one breaks at a dive site.

In the market for new dive equipment? Check out the following outstanding reasons to purchase dive equipment from Husker Divers:

-We carry the top technology available in diving industry
-We personally fit all equip not only to YOUR size but to YOUR needs
-We have a certified equipment tech on staff who services all the equipment we sell
-All the equipment we sell is fully warranted through our manufacturers and distributors
-We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee so you're completely comfortable with your gear
-Buy a computer or camera from us and get a FREE class on how to use it
-All equipment you buy is fully assembled and tested before you receive it
-On new equip, Aqualung offers free parts for your reg every year for as long as you own it. You only pay for the labor.
-Free service on your equipment for your first year of ownership
-Test your new equipment in the pool after buying it. If it's not right we'll replace it with something that will work for you.
-Financing is available. Six months same as cash.

Your dive equipment is crucial to your safety and your enjoyment of diving. We're not satisfied until you are!