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Reasons for Properly Maintaining Your Wetsuit

Reasons for Properly Maintaining Your Wetsuit

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on June 18, 2014
maintaining your wetsuit

When it comes to maintaining your wetsuit, a little daily trouble could save you a lot more fuss later on, particularly when it comes to your health and diving expenses. If you don’t take the time to perform this maintenance, it could cost you in more ways than you suspect.

Perhaps the most compelling reason for maintaining your wetsuit is that the very act of diving exposes it to countless bacteria, which can affect human health in a variety of ways. Failing to clean (or rinse if you don’t have time to clean it) and dry your suit properly will result in your suit remaining damp — an ideal environment for mold and bacteria to flourish. The most common evidence of a contaminated, dirty wetsuit is the appearance of a skin rash or pimply breakouts.

Properly maintaining your wetsuit will also keep you abreast of any external or internal damage. Little actions, like pressing long fingernails into the neoprene on a regular basis can result in small indentations that eventually become tears as the neoprene ages. While the obvious solution to that problem is to keep your nails trimmed neatly, it is just one of many causes of minor suit damage that could become major if you aren’t paying attention. Regular wetsuit maintenance can help you avoid any big surprises in the future.

McNett Wetsuit and Drysuit Shampoo - $5.35
McNett Wetsuit and Drysuit Shampoo – $5.35

Your wetsuit is a hardy piece of SCUBA gear, but as we touched on in the previous paragraph, it is by no means indestructible. In extreme cases, improper storage of a wetsuit can lead to permanent damage, so it’s important after rinsing to make sure you leave your wetsuit in a well-ventilated area to dry completely before putting it away. If that can’t be done immediately, at least take care to make sure it is not left in direct sunlight, which can cause immediate deterioration.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro