TORBET ON THE TUBE
Spring loaded
Andy Torbet recommends checking your snorkel kit well in advance of the season . Here are his tips …
Spring may not have quite sprung but it ’ s coiling up , ready to pounce . We have all been restricted to our homes over the third lockdown , but it ’ s not going to last forever ; we need to be ready to roll when it becomes possible . But is your equipment ready ?
Now is the time to check your kit . Not the night before or morning of your dive . At this point of February to March , you have plenty of time to inspect , clean , correct , glue , patch , fix or replace equipment in time to make sure you are in good order for your first trip back .
Wetsuit : Hopefully your wetsuit has been stored clean , dry and well hung . However , if you just slung it somewhere in the dark recesses of the garden shed , now is the time to check and rectify . Taking the time to ensure your wetsuit is clean and mould free , doesn ’ t have any gnawed patches or damaged seals or zip will make for a more comfortable first dive back . Holes can be patched , zips mended or replaced and mould removed if we check our kit before your snorkelling season kicks off . This applies to gloves , hoods , socks and boots too – the latter I find the hardest to dry properly .
Mask : Check the strap and skirt for perishing or nicks . I once did a cave dive with a tiny nick in my mask . It leaked all the way in and I only discovered it when I took it off for inspection at the first dry chamber . Unfortunately , when I put it back on it became a large tear and I had to dive out on feel alone . It ’ s likely to be less dramatic during a snorkel dive , but certainly worth a minute of your time to check . At the same time make sure the lens is clean , as mould can often grow in the corners where the lens meets the skirt .
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