Scuba Diving Equipment Before and After Care in the Midst of COVID19
Coronavirus has affected hundreds of countries worldwide. It has greatly affected the lives of many people across the globe. Coronavirus toll affected the well-being and the world economy.
At the time of writing this content, there are 3,595,662 confirmed cases of COVID19 according to the World Health Organization. Some countries have implemented lockdowns and travel restrictions to at least minimize the spread of the virus.
While some are enjoying their time with family at home due to quarantine, some also want to take advantage of the cheap flights and uncrowded sea and beaches. Now, if you are one of those adventure seekers who love to spend time underwater, you can still scuba dive at your own risk. The good thing though is that there are precautionary measures and recommendations that you can practice before and after diving.
Before and After Care for Snorkels and Regulators
Before: Sanitize the mouthpiece by wiping it with cotton with alcohol. An antibacterial mouthwash can be an alternative to alcohol. Finish by rinsing with fresh water.
After: Soak mouthpieces and regulators with bleach water; 1 gallon of water and 1 tablespoon of bleach. Let it sit for about 2 minutes before rinsing with fresh water. Let it dry thoroughly before storing it.
Before and After Care for Masks and Fins
Before: Wipe the skirt of the mask with a clean cotton cloth or cotton ball with an antibacterial mouthwash.
After: Soak masks and fins in bleach water for about 2 minutes. Dab with a clean cloth to remove sand and salt. Rinse with fresh water after and let it dry before storing it.
Before and After Care for Compensating Devices
Before: Wipe the mouth receptacle of the inflator hose with clean cotton or cloth with an antibacterial mouthwash before use.
After: Rinse the outside of the buoyancy compensator with clean fresh water. Also, rinse the inside of the BCD with clean fresh water; pour clean water through low-pressure inflator hose. Clean the oral inflation piece the same way you clean mouthpieces and regulators.
It may also help to get in touch with fellow divers and diving communities for other safety recommendations. Above all, follow the manufacturer’s care guidelines for your diving equipment.
Safe diving!
