How to disinfect your buoyancy compensator

2020-06-17 - Diving / Freediving / Snorkeling

The buoyancy compensator (BC or stabiliser jacket) is a piece of equipment that comes into contact with many other elements (Tanks, other jackets, etc.) during assembly to the diving tank and the boat ride; special attention must be paid to disinfecting the mouthpiece and the inside of the inflator (exhaled air) if they have been used.

We recommend that it be disinfected, especially if you have lent it out, even occasionally.

Disinfectant products & precautions for use - click on this link:

Before immersion, remove any accessories attached (dive table, lamp, knife, etc.), remove any releasable pockets to be disinfected separately, open the waist and chest buckles, the tank straps, etc., open the pocket zip fastenings.

Completely immerse your jacket in the solution for the time indicated on the disinfectant product. Slide the zip fastenings up and down several times to ensure that the solution penetrates throughout, particularly in the pockets, and remove any deposits of salt or sand. Operate the high and low purges, Dump Valve and the inflator purge button, to ensure that the solution penetrates inside the jacket shell, then empty the shell of the solution through the high purge (turning the jacket upside-down) or the low purge.

Please note: Do not operate the DS (Direct System) inflator hose button, this would allow water to enter the DS valve body.

After immersion, rinse the inside and outside of the jacket with clean, cold water (via the inflator hose and purges) and allow to dry in a dry place, out of the sun and not in contact with any other potentially contaminated surface. Put your buoyancy compensator away in a bag that will protect it from knocks and any reinfection.