Keeping Your BCD in Top Shape: Inspection, Cleaning, and Storage Tips

Your Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) is a vital piece of scuba equipment—essential for safety, comfort, and control underwater. Yet it's often overlooked when it comes to routine checks and maintenance. Whether you're preparing for a local dive or an expensive dive trip abroad, following a solid maintenance protocol ensures your BCD stays reliable. Here’s how to do it right.

1. Pre-Dive Inspection: Ensure Your BCD Is Dive-Ready

Even if your BCD was working fine the last time you used it, components can degrade over time. A few minutes of inspection before you pack your gear can prevent problems underwater. No one wants to spend thousands of dollars on a dive trip only to find that their BCD isn’t working the way it should when they get there. Taking the time to inspect your gear—especially if it hasn’t been used in a while—can save your dive and your vacation.

• Inflation Check: Fully inflate your BCD using the power inflator. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes (I usually wait an hour) to ensure it holds air without deflating. Any sagging indicates a slow leak in the bladder or valves.

• Dump Valve Test: Activate all dump/exhaust valves—including the shoulder, rear, and bottom valves—manually to make sure they open and close properly. Listen for sticking or irregular sounds.

• Power Inflator Test: Press the inflator and deflator buttons several times to confirm they’re responsive and not sticking. If you have a tank at home, this test is better if you can actually connect your first stage to the tank to make sure that air is flowing well when you press the inflator button. Also, check that the oral inflator allows for smooth inflation and proper sealing.

• Weight Pocket Check (for integrated-weight BCDs): Confirm that weight pockets lock in securely and release cleanly. Check all Velcro, clips, and buckles for proper operation.

• Strap and Stitching Inspection: Look over the shoulder, chest, and cummerbund straps. Pay special attention to webbing, stitching, and D-rings for signs of fraying or damage.

• Dry Runs Before Trips: If your BCD hasn’t been used in months, test it thoroughly a week or two before your trip to allow time for service or repair.

2. Post-Dive Cleaning: Extend the Life of Your BCD

Rinsing your BCD thoroughly after every dive—especially after saltwater use—is essential to prevent internal corrosion, salt buildup, and bacterial growth. If you're doing multiple dives in a day, a quick rinse at the end of the dive day is usually sufficient. A more thorough rinse—including the interior of the bladder—should be done at the end of your dive trip before packing your gear for travel or storage.

External Rinse

• Rinse all exterior surfaces using fresh water.

• Pay special attention to dump valves, buckles, and pockets—areas where salt and sand can accumulate.

Internal Rinse

• Bladder Rinse: Use a garden hose to flush the inside of the bladder. You can do this either:

  • By pressing the hose against the oral infalor and pushing the inflator button allowing water to flow inside.

  • Or, for a deeper clean, remove an exhaust valve (being careful to not lose any parts) and put the end of the hose inside allowing the bladder to fill up.

• Add fresh water inside, then orally inflate the BCD halfway and swish the water around.

• Drain the water completely through all available dump valves and the inflator hose to ensure no stagnant water remains inside.

• You can also sanitize the inside of the bladder by using fresh water with a sterilizing tablet such as Milton or Steramine. This I do less often but is good for deep cleaning.

Drying

• Hang the BCD in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Never dry it in direct sunlight, which can degrade materials and fade colors.

• Fully inflate the BCD and allow it to dry with internal air space, which helps the interior dry out faster.

• Once dry, open all valves to release pressure before storage.

3. Proper Storage: Keep Your BCD Ready Between Dives

How you store your BCD matters as much as how you clean it.

• Partial Inflation: Store the BCD partially inflated to prevent the bladder walls from sticking together.

• Cool, Dry Place: Keep it in a temperature-controlled, dry environment—ideally hung up to prevent creasing.

• Avoid Compression: Don’t store it under heavy objects or inside tightly packed bags for long periods.

• Mold Prevention: Ensure it is completely dry before storage to prevent mildew.

4. Additional Maintenance Tips

• Periodic Service: Get your BCD serviced periodically by a technician, especially the power inflator assembly and dump valves. I usually do this only when I start having problems but do as I say, not as I do.

• Inflator Cleaning: Some divers periodically soak the inflator in warm water with mild detergent to remove salt and sand—do this only if you’re experienced or have guidance from the manufacturer.

• Zipper Care: Lubricate any zippers with a silicone zipper lubricant to keep them moving smoothly.

• Keep a Spare: For frequent travelers, having a backup inflator mouthpiece or spare weight pocket can be a lifesaver in remote areas.

Final Thoughts

Your BCD is a critical part of your life support system underwater. Taking time to inspect, clean, and store it properly ensures it’s always ready to perform. Whether you dive once a year or every weekend, integrating these steps into your routine will extend the life of your gear and help you dive with confidence.