To store dive gear over the off-season, rinse and dry everything, fit the regulator dust cap and bag the regulator, partly inflate the BCD, keep suits out of the sun, and keep the computer somewhere dry, cool and ventilated. Book any service you are due before the first trip rather than after it. For each item, the maker's manual overrides this page.
Service first, then store
The best moment to find out a regulator or BCD needs work is before it goes into a closet, not on the first spring trip. DAN's gear care guidance lists a professional inspection for a BCD each year, service for a regulator at least yearly, and service for a computer every one to two years or as the manufacturer recommends. Your maker's manual and service network set the real schedule, and this page does not replace them.
If service is due, drop the gear off at the end of the season. You will have it back before you need it, and a shop can tell you about parts that wear out. Our gear service guide covers what gets serviced and why.
Write down anything odd you noticed during the season, such as a stiff button, a mark on a hose, a loose strap or a slow-feeling inflator, and hand the list to the shop. A written note is easier to act on in spring than a half-remembered detail, and it saves you from guessing which problems are worth mentioning.
Rinse, dry and look it over
Corrosion and mildew start with salt and damp, so a thorough rinse and dry before packing matters more than any storage trick. DAN's guidance is to rinse the outside of the BCD and flush the bladder with fresh water, then hang it to dry. Wetsuits, boots, gloves and hoods get rinsed, turned inside out and hung to dry. Masks, snorkels and fins are rinsed and dried well, and dive computers rinsed and dried.
DAN also describes rinsing a regulator while it is still attached to the pressurized cylinder, then leaving it to dry. Follow your regulator maker's instructions on how to do that and how to protect the first stage from water. A home rinse and dry station makes the routine easier, and a drying rack keeps gear off the floor while it dries. Look for cracks, stiff straps, damaged hoses and anything else you want the shop to see.
Gear drying racks and hangers
Best for: Divers who rinse at home and need space to dry everything before packing
Check that the rack or hanger suits the item you are hanging, and check capacity and dimensions on the listing against your biggest piece.
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Regulators and BCDs
For regulators, DAN advises keeping the dust cap in place and secured, and storing the regulator in a regulator bag. Fit the cap as the maker describes, and make sure the regulator is dry first.
For the BCD, DAN suggests partially inflating it after drying. Inflator, hose and valve care follow your BCD maker's manual. Our bladder care guide goes into the rinse and inflator routine.
Cylinders are a separate question. DAN's guide says not to drain one completely and to keep a dry dust cap on the valve, and it lists a yearly visual inspection and a periodic pressure test. Rules and intervals differ by place, so ask your cylinder inspection shop.
Regulator bags and travel cases
Best for: Keeping a regulator protected and tidy in storage
Look for a bag with enough padding and room for the hoses. Match the size to your set rather than buying the smallest.
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Suits, boots, masks and fins
Neoprene is vulnerable to sunlight, so DAN's advice is to store wetsuits in shade. A cool, dry closet works better than a garage shelf in direct light. Follow the suit maker's advice on hanging or folding; our wetsuit care guide covers the rinse and dry routine and the hanger options.
For masks, snorkels and fins, DAN's advice is to pack them so heavier gear does not crush them. Store silicone skirts and straps without anything pressing on them, and keep the mask in its box or case. Hoods, gloves and boots can go in a ventilated bag after they are fully dry. If anything still smells damp, give it another day in the air before packing. Keep stored gear away from direct sun and from places where heat builds up, such as a closed car or a window ledge, and follow each maker's advice where it differs.
Computers, batteries and transmitters
DAN's guidance for a dive computer is to keep it in a dry, cool, ventilated area. Beyond that, what to do with the battery depends on the design, and your computer's manual is the place to check. Shearwater's Perdix 2 page describes a user-changeable AA battery, while its Peregrine page describes a wireless rechargeable battery with a charger included. Other makers differ, so read yours.
Write down the battery type, charger and any firmware or app update you plan to do in spring, and put chargers and cables in the same box as the computer. If a battery is sealed, leave that to the maker or a service centre. Our battery care post explains the practical differences. A zipped case protects the screen from knocks, and the maker's own case is one option.
A one-page storage checklist
| Item | Before storing | Check with |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Rinse, dry, dust cap on, bag it | Regulator maker's manual; service shop |
| BCD | Rinse, flush the bladder, dry, partly inflate | BCD maker's manual |
| Wetsuit, hood, gloves, boots | Rinse, turn inside out, dry in shade | Suit maker's advice |
| Mask, snorkel, fins | Rinse, dry, nothing heavy on top | Maker's instructions |
| Dive computer | Rinse, dry, keep dry, cool and ventilated | Computer manual; service centre |
| Cylinder | Do not drain fully; dry dust cap on valve | Cylinder inspection shop |
Coming back in spring
When the season starts, do not rely on a quick glance. Check that cap seals, hoses, straps and zips look as they did when you packed. Have the shop look at anything that changed. A regulator or BCD that has sat for months is a service-shop job, not a garage experiment, and its first dive back should follow what your instructor and training agency teach about checking equipment.
Update the computer's firmware and app if the maker provides updates, and check the battery or charge as the manual describes. If you have not dived for a long time, ask an instructor or your training agency about a refresher; that is outside the scope of this page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I leave my BCD inflated for the winter?
DAN's guidance is to partially inflate it after drying. Follow your BCD maker's manual for inflator and valve care, and ask the shop if it needs service.
Where should I store a wetsuit?
In shade, rinsed and dry. DAN notes that neoprene is vulnerable to UV damage. Follow your suit maker's advice on hanging or folding.
How should I store a dive computer?
DAN advises a dry, cool, ventilated area. Battery handling depends on the model, so check your computer's manual or the maker.
Do I need service before storing gear?
DAN lists regulator service at least yearly, BCD inspection yearly and computer service every one to two years or per the maker. Your manual and a qualified technician set the schedule.
Can I store a regulator without a dust cap?
We would not. DAN advises keeping the dust cap in place and secured, and storing the regulator in a bag. Follow your regulator maker's manual for the details.