A trusty dive knife can help get you out of tricky situations underwater. Make sure you know how to properly prep your knife for dives and care for it once you surface. Here are a few maintenance tips from our Gear Editor.

DIVE KNIFE CARE — BEFORE YOU DIVE
• Inspect for corrosion, including blade and locking mechanism
• Very light corrosion or buildup can be cleaned with a towel or toothbrush
• Check locking mechanism or sheath lock for proper operation
• If needed, lubricate lock or opening mechanism with silicone

DIVE KNIFE CARE — AFTER YOU DIVE
• Rinse thoroughly; remove from sheath and operate any moving parts while soaking
• Inspect for damage or debris
• Dry thoroughly
• Apply light coat of silicone to prevent corrosion; don’t use petroleum-based lube

See more scuba diving how-to videos here.