Air Cell (Bladder) - Retains air while resisting tears and puncture due to heavy nylon-type pack cloth. Internal baffles preventair from being trapped in folds of fabric, allowing it to circulate to the highest point. When inflated, bladders should not restrict breathing or squeeze comfortably. 

Cummerbund - Holds weight-bearing backpack to your body securely, yet allows the air bladder to expand. Better cummerbunds are depth-compensating (for wetsuit compression). 

D-Rings - For clipping larger accessories. Should not cause interference with other gear. 

Pockets - Should be big enough for small lights and other accessories, accessible even when BC is fully inflated and not flattened by an expanding bladder. 

Alternate Rear Remote Exhaust - Should be located at the bottom of the BC to allow air dumping when you are horizontal or inverted. 

Tank Band - Should grip the tank firmly, yet be easy to open and close. To tighten securely, many divers lay the BC and tank unit flat. Important: New nylon can stretch when wet. Immerse new tank band straps before mounting the tank. 

Backpack - Should be stiff enough to hold the tank securely and transmit its weight bearing to your back and hips. Hard packs are more stable and adjustable, soft packs are more flexible for packing. 

Carrying Strap - Most are adequate for lifting the BC/tank unit, but not for transporting it any distance. 

Shoulder Elbow and Remote Exhaust - Elbow admits air to bladder from ambient hose. Remote exhaust dumps it manually or automatically (in case of overpressure). Usually mounted over left shoulder to be at highest point for buoyancy adjustments during ascents and descents. 

Quick-Release Chest Strap - Holds the jacket's "lapels" in position. Should be kept open wide enough to accommodate a fully inflated BC. 

Ambient-Pressure Hose - Should have large diameter for unrestricted air flow, yet be flexible. 

Adjustable Shoulder Strap Buckle - Designed to adjust easily (usually by pulling on free end of strap) yet not slip. A quick-release is usually included for easier donning and doffing. 

Oral/Power Inflator - Buttons for inflation and deflation should be easy to use with one hand and clearly distinguishable. Mouthpiece for oral inflation. Important: Inflator should be capable of dumping air faster than admitting it. 

Integrated Weight System - Pockets hold 10 to 40 pounds. Weights should not shift, sag or drop unexpectedly. Important: Weights should ditch immediately and without fail when you pull the release handles. 

Weight Release - Should be easy to find in emergency and easy to pull, yet not release weights accidentally (by snagging, etc.). 
 

BCD Care and Cleaning

Always wash the BCD after each dive with fresh water, flushing both inside and out, and between the inner and outer bags if it is a double bag construction. Never use solvents (such as alcohol or paint thinner) since they may attack the fabrics, bladders, glues or fasteners. 

Fresh water is all that is normally needed to clean your BCD, though you may use a mild liquid detergent diluted in fresh water or a commercial BCD conditioner in the final rinse to inhibit the growth of mold or mildew and to keep the BCD fresh and odour-free. 

Cleaning is especially recommended immediately after use in a chlorinated pool, as chlorinated water will quickly break down rubbers and plastics. Most manufacturers also recommend regular an annual servicing consisting of cleaning, inspection and lubrication of specified parts. In fact, many manufacturers offer limited lifetime warranties that remain valid only if the BCD is serviced annually.

The best way to prevent the growth of harmful molds and bacteria is to use the BCD frequently in salt water. Salt water effectively inhibits the growth of fungus and molds, and most materials used in the BCD (with the exception of some detonating mechanisms) are impervious to salt water. However, once evaporated, salt water will leave salt crystals -- some large enough to act like pieces of glass and tear or rupture the bag. A good internal rinse will eliminate this. 

To clean BCD component parts, direct a stream of water into the mouthpiece of the oral inflator valve, and drain the water back thorough the mouth piece. If your BCD so allows, remove the over pressure relief valve assembly and rinse all components. Because the over pressure valves are low pressure valves, they have the potential of not completely reseating. It is important to run fresh water through the bladder after every dive and then inflate the unit with the valve positioned down so the water will flush the valve as the valve actuates.

To drain the water from the BCD, reinstall the over pressure relief valve, and orally inflate the vest. Turn the vest upside down so that the drain hose is at the lowest point. Depress the inflator button and squeeze the vest. The sudden rush of air should force the remaining water to exit from the interior of the vest through the inflator hose. Back flush the auto inflator with clean fresh water by filling the BC (which has already been rinsed clean) and then flushing out the water though the mail quick disconnect fitting.

Buoyancy compensators should be stored partially inflated. For prolonged storage, a small amount of silicone lubricant may be applied to the rubber parts of the BCD, but do not spray silicone inside the bag itself or on to the oral or power inflator mouthpiece assemblies. Store the BCD with the hose on the downward side, so that residual moisture drains to the hose assembly. Then after a day or two, depress the inflator button to allow any residual water to drain.