Being a scuba diver means you have a lot of gear, which you need to store well to ensure its longevity and functionality. Learn organizing tips here!
Scuba diving requires a lot of gear, and this gear isn’t always easy to handle. If you struggle with tangled hoses, cluttered regulators, and piles of fins in your home or garage, then you might benefit from better storage for your gear. Proper storage and organization make it easier for you to find your equipment and prolong its longevity. If you want to get on top of this task in 2024, read on to learn how to keep your scuba gear organized at home.
Assess Your Current Storage Space
The first step in organizing your gear is to evaluate your current storage capacity and designate a specific area for all your scuba equipment. Ideally, this space should be away from direct sunlight, free from moisture, and well-ventilated. The garage is typically a great storage location for these reasons. Even if your garage doesn’t offer a lot of floor space, you can consider clever storage solutions for small garages that assist with perfect organization. For instance, ceiling or wall storage can maximize tight areas while remaining easy to view and access.
Use Plastic Buckets and Labels for Larger Items
First, gather your larger gear, such as fins, wetsuits, and BCDs. Then, organize the equipment into categories and assign each category a plastic bucket with a lid. Transparent buckets are best for easy viewing, but you should label the containers regardless. Once you allocate your biggest items to their respective bins in a way that makes sense to you, put the lids on top and store the bins where you decided when assessing your space. And remember to put your most-used items in the most easily accessible locations, if that is relevant for your space. If you have plenty of space with easy access all around, don’t worry about this.
Don’t Forget About Smaller Pieces of Gear
Scuba diving involves a lot of smaller items, such as masks, snorkels, and dive computers, which are easy to misplace or overlook if you don’t store them effectively. Investing in small storage containers or pouches can be beneficial for organizing and categorizing these items.
Another useful investment might be a pegboard or a series of wall hooks, which can provide an efficient way to hang hoses, regulators, and other gear that benefits from vertical storage. This prevents it from getting tangled or damaged and utilizes vertical space. Pegboards and wall hooks are also great ways to store those small containers or pouches we mentioned!
Check In Regularly With Your Organization System
Finally, establish a routine for maintaining the organization of your gear. Have you ever deep cleaned your home only to have it devolve within a week because you don’t change your habits and maintain the neatness? The same thing will happen with your scuba gear organization if you’re not proactive about it.
Most importantly, put things back where they belong! You may feel tempted to toss something in the corner of your garage instead of taking down and opening a bin, but go the extra mile (or in this case, feet). Next, consider setting aside time every few weeks to double-check that everything is in its designated place and inspect your equipment for any damage or wear. By doing so, you guarantee that your gear always remains as organized and well-maintained as possible.
Understanding how to keep your scuba gear organized at home is crucial for prolonging the lifespan of your equipment and locating everything you need quickly and easily before each dive. Follow this advice to enhance your scuba gear storage and bring you peace of mind this year!