How To Maintain A Scuba Diving Tank

Ten Tips For Keeping The Scuba Dive Tank In Good Working Condition

Nov 9, 2008

Keeping scuba diving equipment in good operating condition is vital for safe and enjoyable diving. A scuba diving tank needs to be well maintained.

The scuba tank is one of the most important pieces of dive equipment. It must be looked after. A well-maintained tank could give 20 or 30 years service. A neglected tank can fail with the force of a hand grenade. It pays to care for a scuba tank, not only for economy, but also for safety and diving enjoyment.

The following ten tips can help ensure a scuba diving tank will provide many years of faithful diving service.

1) Never completely empty a scuba tank. Always leave at least 1000 kPa to ensure moisture doesn’t enter.

3) If the scuba tank is to be stored for a few months, drain the air down to around 1000 kPa. This is to decrease the amount of oxygen that can cause corrosion.

5) A scuba tank should be carried with care and attention. They shouldn’t be carried on the shoulder as a fall can lead to the valve getting smashed off and the tank taking off like a rocket.

6) A scuba tank should be regularly tested in accordance with statutory regulations.

7) A scuba tank should not be left in a closed car in the heat of the day. It can heat up and explode or the burst disk can rupture; both scenarios leading to damage to the car. When in the car the tank should be carried with the valve towards the back. If the car brakes suddenly the tank valve won’t be damaged as the tank moves forward with its momentum.

8) The scuba tank valve should not be turned off too tightly. It only has to be just nipped closed enough to stop the air flow.

9) A scuba tank should be filled with clean, dry air. Any discolouration around the air outlet or bad odour should be treated with suspicion. If there are any doubts that a tank has been filled with bad air, it should not be used for scuba diving and should be checked immediately. A bad fill can lead to damage to the tank, as well as pose a threat to a diver.

10) If painting a tank, ensure no heat curing paints or strippers are used as these could affect the strength of the tank.

The service that a scuba tank gives the diver is dependant on the service that the scuba tank gets.

The copyright of the article How To Maintain A Scuba Diving Tank in Scuba Diving is owned by Bruce Iliff. Permission to republish How To Maintain A Scuba Diving Tank in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.