How Long Should Air Be Left in a SCUBA Tank?

Air will not spoil in a scuba cylinder.

There Is No Time Limit.

Due to the fact that much of the moisture in the air is taken away during compression, with oxygen reacting with the scuba tank metal, corrosion is not a primary concern. Once a scuba tank is filled, the air can be left inside until it is used.

But Have It Inspected Annually.

It is advisable to have scuba tanks visually inspected annually. If a tank has not been used and is still full of air, then it is still a good idea to inspect it, to honor manufacturer recommendations and safety procedures. This would require draining the tank of air.

Bottom Line

While air can be left in a scuba tank for an indefinite period without contaminating, tanks should be visually inspected once a year to check their structural integrity as well as air quality. This should be undertaken, which requires having the tank emptied at least once a year.

References

• The Scuba Guide: Scuba Gauges
• Dive Gear Express: How to Select a Scuba Tank