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|NEWSLETTER | EVENTS | TRAVEL REVIEWS |
|SERVICE CENTER |HOME |
Why Service Your Dive Equipment?
Regardless of how often you use your regulator, most equipment manufacturers recommend a minimum one-year service/inspection interval. Why? Because a regulator's performance is affected by much more than how little or how much it is used. Many regulator owners believe that, because they use their regulator only a few times per year, it requires little or nothing in the way of maintenance. This is rarely the case.
All regulators contain numerous O-rings. The integrity of these O-rings is crucial to the regulator's ability to function safely. AS with any rubber or rubber-like component, O-rings can dry out, oxidize, shrink and crack regardless of whether the regulator is used or not.
Regulators also contain first and second stage high- or low-pressure seats. Like O-rings, these seats can harden, shrink and become deeply indented by the sharp valve orifices against which they are constantly pressed. Seat failures can cause the regulator's intermediate pressure to "creep" and second stages to free flow.
Regulators that receive considerable use may require servicing more frequently than once per year. Even with the most careful rinsing after dives, salt, sand, sediment and corrosion can build up on a regulator's internal surfaces. Frequent use also accelerates the deterioration of O-rings and seating surfaces. Some very active divers, such as divemasters and instructors, may have their regulators serviced as often as every three to six months.
To avoid problems with your regulator's performance, even though it may not have been used at all in the last y ear, these O-rings and valve seats may still need replacement if the regulator is to be expected to perform safely. The longer a regulator goes without service -used or not used - the greater the need becomes to replace these critical components.
What is Regulator Servicing?
Because all regulator service involves basically the same amount of labor, it is not desirable to solve a single problem when, for the same time and effort, you can solve a particular problem as well as many potential problems. When any level of regulator service is needed beyond simple inspection, most reputable service technicians perform a complete regulator overhaul. Most regulator service centers use the terms "regulator servicing" and "complete regulator overhaul" interchangeably.
Regulator servicing (or overhauls) involves several important steps. The regulator is completely disassembled and all of the hard components are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath. Next, all of the O-rings and valve sets are replaced with new components. Finally, the regulator is reassembled and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. This process allows your dive shop to return your regulator to you in as close to "new" condition as possible - and is required if you are to maintain your regulator's warranty.
It is important to mention that the inflator mechanism on your buoyancy compensator also contains O-rings and other components, which should be replaced at the same time your regulator is serviced. The servicing or overhaul of this mechanism is similar to that performed on the regulator and also crucial to the proper operation of this device.
There are some things that you, the diver, can do to prolong the useful life of your dive equipment:
Be sure the regulator's first stage dust cap is thoroughly dried and firmly in place immediately after removing it from the tank;
Thoroughly rinse all of your equipment with fresh, clean water after each use;
Do not submerge your regulator in water unless it is attached to a tank with the air turned on;
Regularly inspect all equipment for scratches, dents, missing components, tears and other flaws; and
Have your regulator and buoyancy compensator serviced at least annually by a reputable service center.
These simple steps will help ensure safe and pleasurable diving!
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