Northwest Dive Club

Just curious, I've never considered this before with some average quality BCD's I've owned. However, since spending the money on this higher end Zeagle Ranger model, I want to be sure it's stored properly whether a week, over night, or a maybe even a month.

Should it be stored as empty as possible or with some inflation?

Good rinsing is probably more critical than state of inflation. FWIW my wife has a Zeagle, used extensively for NW diving for ~5 years. Then retired to tropical use for the next 10 years so it gets used well for 1-2 weeks every year or 2. Inside is always fresh water rinsed. At the end of use is it disinfected, rinsed well, emptied as much as possible over a couple days, then collapsed but not 'vacuumed flat'. It's faded on the outside, showing it's age, but never had a leak.
Our BP&W are treated in a similar fashion, both over 10 years old. I have a Dive Rite that has a bladder like the Zeagle.

One of the worst things you can do is let salt accumulate on the inside.
The inflator is generally more of a problem than the BC itself. I don't know if they changed it but the original Zeagle inflator (years ago) sucked, and the replacement was not much better.

+1 for good rinsing. I typically give mine a super internal rinsing at the end of a week of diving (or if I know I've let sea water inside it). For storage I thoroughly drain it, squeeze the air out, and don't worry.

I also agree with fmerkel regarding the inflator valves, as I have had a couple of these go bad. They're cheap and easy to replace; I've torn them apart and repaired them but it isn't worth the effort. For $17 you can get a brand new one, and that's cheap safety.

Good question!

Same inflator I've gone to. Easy to overhaul with the special tool. I always carry a spare in my kit.