Aşkın YILDIRIM

Caring For Your Mask, Snorkel, And Fins

A Basic Maintenance Guide

The number one cause of equipment damage is neglecting to soak it in fresh water. Start your maintenance with a thorough soaking in fresh water after every dive trip. If you don't, salt crystals will dry and harden causing metal parts to weaken and rust; straps and fabrics will stiffen and crack. The crystals, along with sand, act like an abrasive causing scratches and holes in equipment.

Brief Maintenance Guide

Inspect
*Check all straps by stretching them and looking for cracks and tears.
*On the mask, look for cracks in the skirt or lense.
*Inspect purge valves for bits of sand or salt that may have survived the washing and also look for cracks.

Repair
*A broken strap can be replaced by a new one or use a good strap from a spare mask.
*If a strap buckle, on the fins or masks, is broken you can temporarily fix it by sewing the strap to the fin or mask.
*If the snorkel keeper is broken, use a rubber band or duct tape.
*If the purge valve leaks and cleaning doesn't fix it, try sealing it with neoprene cement or covering it with duct tape.

Storage
*Protect your equipment from light, heat and fumes.
*Do not pile heavy weights on top of them.
*To avoid bent fins, they should lie flat, not on their tips.
*Don't let silicone rest against neoprene; the silicone will become discolored.

Transporting
*Pack the fins so that they lie flat, either at the bottom of the gear bag or the side.
*Put the mask in its protective case and pack the snorkel separately.

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OZAN YILDIRIMIN ABİSİ-1970