Whether you’ve been diving in open water or a pool, it's essential to clean your BCD properly to prevent the buildup of salt crystals, algae, chlorine, and other contaminants that can degrade its materials over time. 
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If you're at a dive center, be sure to soak or rinse your gear in a freshwater tank. But you can also do this at home using a hose or even a shower, as lukewarm water is more effective at dissolving salt. 
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Exterior cleaning: 
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The sooner you rinse your BCD with fresh water after a dive, the better. 
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• Use a moderate stream of fresh water to rinse the entire BCD thoroughly. 
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• Unzip and rezip all zippers several times to prevent corrosion. 
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• Pay attention to purge valves and weight pockets, as these tend to trap salt and debris. 
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Interior cleaning: 
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During a dive, small amounts of water enter your BCD. Over time, this water can deposit salt and contaminants inside the bladder that can crust up your dump valves and even create a puncture risk. 
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Follow these steps to clean the inside of your dive BCD: 
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1. Manually inflate your BCD: blow air in while pressing the deflate button. Stop pressing the button between breaths. Inflate the BCD as much as possible. 
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2. Drain post dive water: turn the BCD upside down, point the inflator hose toward the ground, and press the deflate button to empty any trapped water. 
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3. Add fresh water inside: use a gentle stream of fresh water through the inflator hose, without filling it all the way. 
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4. Manually inflate again: reinflate the BCD manually. 
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5. Rinse the inflator thoroughly: rinse with fresh water, making sure to press both inflate and deflate buttons. This step is crucial, as salt or debris buildup here could cause an uncontrolled ascent.
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6. Swirl to rinse: allow freshwater to reach all internal areas. 
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7. Drain through all outlets: empty the freshwater through each dump valve and the inflator hose, pressing both the inflate and deflate buttons. Ensure the valve or hose is at the lowest point to help water drain completely. 
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8. Repeat as needed: repeat inflating and draining as many times as necessary to ensure all water is removed. 
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9. Squeeze out excess: press the BCD against your body to help remove excess water. 
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What not to do: 
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• Avoid removing dump valves to clean the inside of your BCD. While it may seem convenient, doing so risks damaging gaskets, cross-threading parts during reassembly, misplacing or losing essential components.
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• Don’t spray silicone or other chemicals inside your diving BCD or on the oral inflator. 

After rinsing, partially inflate your BCD to prevent the bladder walls from sticking together and causing internal damage. Avoid over-inflating it, as this can put unnecessary stress on the seams. Hang your BCD in a dry, well-ventilated, and shaded area, away from direct sunlight or heat source.

Check it after a day or two to drain any residual water that may have settled at the bottom.

Proper storage helps extend the life of your scuba diving BCD between dive trips: 
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• Remove all weight from the trim pockets and releasable compartments before storing. 
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• Store your BCD slightly inflated to protect internal structure. 
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• Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. 
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• Avoid confined spaces (such as car trunks), where temperature fluctuations can damage the materials. 
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• Keep it away from chlorine, gasoline, oil, solvents, and aerosols. 
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• Always store your BCD at room temperature to prevent material degradation. 

When traveling with your BC, following a few simple rules can help prevent wear and tear during transport: 
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• Always protect your BCD from rough surfaces or sharp objects as it can puncture or scratch the material. 
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• Pack it in a padded dive gear bag or wrap it in soft clothing to cushion it during transit. 
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• Avoid placing heavy items on top of your BCD, which can damage its structure. 
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• Secure loose components like the inflator hose to prevent snags or breaks. 
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Want more tips on packing for a dive trip? Don’t miss our full dive travel packing guide

Pre-dive BCD checks 
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Before every dive, make sure your BCD is safe and ready. Here's a quick checklist: 
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1. Visual inspection: check the BC for any damage to the bladder or valves.  
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2. Inflator test: connect the inflator hose to your air source. Press and release the button to confirm smooth airflow and proper shut off when released. 
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3. Overpressure valve (OPR): pull the cord to release air. Then, fully inflate the BCD to ensure the OPR opens automatically when overinflated and closes immediately afterward. 
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4. Oral inflator and leak test: manually inflate to check for proper airflow. Once fully inflated, disconnect the inflator and listen for leaks. If the BC deflates in 5–10 minutes or you hear leaks, don’t dive, get it serviced. 
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5. Final check: make sure the tank strap is tight, and weight pockets are securely attached. 

Always rinse the exterior and interior of your dive BCD with fresh water after each divefollowing the steps outlined earlier in this guide.

Schedule a deep clean at least once a year or after an extended diving trip with multiple dives such as a liveaboard. This process should include soaking your BCD in lukewarm water with a specialized cleaning product specifically designed for scuba diving equipment. These are formulated to clean thoroughly without damaging your BCD materials or leaving behind harmful residues.

It’s essential to have your BCD inspected annually. The key checks include inflator functionality, dump valve integrity, and bladder condition.

Always trust an Aqualung fully authorized and certified scuba technician to service your dive BCD. This ensures your dive gear meets the highest safety standards. To find a certified service center near you, check our Store Locator.