Scuba diving is a portal into the marine world. It is a high for a diver to be able to swim as one with the fish. Technology has allowed man to reach depths he never thought possible. But for that to happen safely, scuba gear needs to be in pristine working condition. This gear is what protects you from the vagaries of sea water. There are several minerals and salt deposits present in sea water that are corrosive in nature. Allowing these to accumulate on scuba gear can lead to lowered performance and possible malfunction. This is a scenario that no diver would want to be in.

Every time you dive into the sea, your scuba gear is exposed to a variety of salts and minerals. The concentration varies with each area of the ocean and the depth that you are swimming at. Manual cleaning can only remove so much of the residue. Some of it tends to get into inflators, hose connectors and regulators. Ultrasonic cleaning has been found to be a highly effective way of cleaning of diving equipment. Many people do consider the investment to be high, but those who have invested in it are well aware of its advantages.

For starters, ultrasonic cleaners for scuba gear are bigger in size. This is to accommodate the various parts that are involved. For cleaning, an acidic solvent is used. This is to act vigorously on sea water residue that can be quite stubborn in nature. Another feature you will find in ultrasonic cleaners for scuba gear is interchangeable pans. This allows for various parts to be immersed in appropriate solutions and placed in the cleaner. This allows for efficient cleaning.

Ultrasonic cleaning of scuba gear is undertaken as part of the yearly service and maintenance ritual. Once all the parts are dismantled, they are treated to an ultrasonic bath. Efficiency of the cleaning depends on a few factors, primary being the size of the cleaner. A large cleaner is necessary to allow the solvent to access every part of the gear.

Overloading of the cleaner too will bring down the efficiency of the solvent and the cleaning process. Scuba gear consists of several valves and regulators. A common mistake made is to use solutions that are generally used for industrial valves. These solutions can be highly acidic in nature and can result in damage. Care has to be taken to use the right solution. Another common mistake is not following directions in dilution of the solution. Such mistakes can also result in damage to the ultrasonic unit as well as the parts placed in it for cleaning.

You may think that ultrasonic cleaners are expensive. You would not be wrong. However, the price is dependent on the model, brand and its design. There are budget models which will do a good job. All good brands come with a two-year warranty. Newer and slightly more sophisticated models today comes with generators that are controlled with micro-processors, but these would be needed only for professional scuba diving companies and the maintenance of their gear. You can easily use some of the lower-cost models around.

Ultrasonic cleaning of scuba gear is needed to efficiently get rid of salt deposits, silt, and marine debris that can accumulate on your gear. Some of these, if ignored can harden and can be a cause for danger during a diving expedition. Ultrasonic cleaning has proved its efficiency in ensuring your safety each time you are out in the big ocean.

Author Bio: Dr. Bob Sandor is a Director at Tovatech, a leading North American supplier of ultrasonic cleaner units. When not busy running his company he explores his fascination with the many aspects of scientific & industrial devices. For more details contact him through the ultrasonic cleaners section of his site.

Category: Sports
Keywords: ultrasonic cleaner,cleaning scuba gear