Scuba Flipper Maintenance -
How to Care for Your Fins!
Scuba Flipper Maintenance is fairly simple. Following a few simple rules can greatly extend the life of your flippers!
After the Dive
•Thoroughly rinse (if possible, soak) your flippers in freshwater. The salt crystals from the ocean will dry out and crack your fins if you don’t. The saltwater can also erode the straps and foot pocket.
•Inspect your flippers really well after the dive. Ensure they didn’t crack or break. It’s a bummer to wait and find this out right before your next outing!
•Allow your scuba flippers to dry out of direct sunlight. You can towel dry them if you are in a hurry to pack them away.
•Transport your gear in a dive bag (or something similar). I find that the mesh bags work the best because they allow the equipment to breath. I used a mesh laundry bag for a while (much less expensive)!
•Unpack and store your scuba flippers as soon as possible after the dive.
Storage
•Store your scuba flippers in a dry, cool place. Do not store in the trunk of your car or in direct sunlight. Heat can deform the flippers and sunlight will fade rubber or plastic and can break down neoprene.
•Do not stand or lean your flippers upright (neither on their tips or heels!). Doing so can cause them to lose their shape and in turn, lessen their effectiveness. Ensure you always store them flat and without other equipment on top of them.
•Keep your neoprene equipment separate. It is possible for neoprene equipment to stick to the scuba flippers (or other equipment) and rip when you pull them apart.
•Don’t allow your scuba flippers to come into contact with gasoline, alcohol, aerosols, or chemical solvents – they may degrade the rubber or plastic on your fins.
Tips
A few other tips for scuba flipper maintenance:
•Often with scuba equipment, you do get what you pay for. So be aware that more expensive flippers are often a more quality product. In most instances, the better the quality – the longer it will last. But with proper scuba flipper maintenance, you can maximize the life of whatever fin you choose.
•Dive shops and sporting goods stores do offer cleaning solutions, non-aerosol lubricants, UV blockers and other products made especially for caring and maintaining your scuba equipment. Check your local dive shop for their selection.
•Carry an extra flipper strap with you - especially if you will be doing multiple dives on one day. The straps always seem to break or tear at the most inopportune times!
•Mark your flippers with
waterproof paint
so that you are able to easily identify yours.
•Check out
The Scuba Registry
and keep track of all of your scuba equipment in your virtual 'gear bag.' Should a piece of gear ever go missing, you simply log into your account, select "submit report" in the members area and fill in the required information. Your Gear Report is then broadcast to registered members of The Scuba Registry. This includes individual divers and any dive shops affiliated with The Scuba Registry. It's a great way to protect your scuba gear - plus, it's free!
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