Snorkeling Guides

Care, Inspection and Maintenance Prior to Storage
Inspect both the waist and crotch straps of the snorkeling vest for any fraying. This is more likely to occur at the ends of the straps but inspect the entire strap just to be sure. If fraying is found, trim the frayed area with scissors, then, using a butane lighter, carefully melt the trimmed area which will effectively reinforce the area against additional fraying. Check the fastening devices for any cracks or damage and replace if necessary. If the snorkeling vest has any pockets, check them for any surprises that you may have forgotten were in there. If the pocket is a hook and loop closure, use a soft bristled toothbrush (dry) brush both the hook material and the loop material.

Examine the exterior of the vest for any salt crystal formation which has a white powdery appearance. Magnified, salt crystals have sharp and pointy protrusions so rather than simply brushing them off of the vest, it would be better to soak the vest in warm using BC Life in which you would dilute the snorkeling vest in warm tap water to help loosen and dissolve the crystals. Read any and all warnings, cautions and directions printed on the label. If your snorkeling vest has any zipper closures, this would be an excellent time to brush them with a soft bristled toothbrush to remove any salt deposit or dirt buildup.

Inspect the oral inflation hose for any signs of deterioration or dry rot. Inspect and test the oral inflator mechanism to ensure functionality by orally inflating the vest to capacity then dunking the mechanism under clear fresh tap water looking to see if any bubbling occurs. Any bubbling from the opening might require professional service from a scuba diving store but it could also be saltwater or dirt buildup. Since you have the vest already inflated at this point, you can continue to dunk various portions under the surface of the water to make sure that there are no leaks in any portions of the bladder. Once you have made sure that the vest is leak free you can turn your attention to the inside of the vest. Pour a small amount of BC Life into the vest and add warm water in an amount equal to about 1/2 full. This action also helps to clean and condition the internal portion of the vest. Pick up the vest and slosh the liquid around making sure that all internal portions have had the liquid touching it. Lay the vest down on it’s back and leave it for awhile. Everytime you pass the snorkeling vest, pick it up again and slosh the water around with this time, laying it down flat on the other side. You can do this a few more times or drain the liquid out of the the vest. When you drain the snorkeling vest, you want to make the oral inflator hose the lowest point for the water to drain. You will probably not be able to get all of the water out on the first try. Reinflate the snorkeling vest and repeat the draining process 2 or 3 times.

Partially inflate the snorkeling vest and hang it up to dry, out of direct sunlight. If your snorkeling vest has any zippers, use parafin wax and run it along the teeth of the zipper (a crayon will work in a pinch). Zip and unzip the zipper a few times which will help to lubricate the slider and the zipper teeth. The snorkeling vest should then be stored partially inflated on a plastic hanger in a cool dry location.

Inspection and Care of Snorkeling Vest, Post Storage
If you followed the “care, inspection and maintenance procedures prior to storage” instructions then you will have a lot less to do when you bring it out of storage. Check the inflation and the deflation of the snorkeling vest.

Care of Snorkeling Vest During Transits
When packing your snorkeling vest for vacation travel, keep it separated from any sharp objects and rolling it up, rather than folding it, is preferred.

Snorkeling Vests, Care on Multi Snorkel Days
If you are snorkeling more than once a day you should always rinse your snorkeling vest in fresh tap water (if available) between excursions. If you are out of the water for prolonged periods keep the snorkeling vest out of direct sunlight and away from sharp objects.

Please note that under no circumstances is it acceptable to put any snorkeling equipment in a diswasher, washing machine or dryer nor should any blowdryers be used to dry any equipment.