CuzzA
Wetwork for Hire
It's my understanding it must be replaced.
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Both. Yes, it should be replaced at regular service intervals. But, if you open up the first stage and remove the diaphragm for inspection, you have to replace it. There are specific Warnings in the Service Manual about that, in fact. The point of no return is if you loosen / unscrew the diaphragm clamping ring. But, beyond that, if you do anything more than loosen the environmental seal end cap, you are technically committed to replacing it.if you open a diaphragm to inspect, the diaphragm will have to be replaced? Or do you mean it should simply be replaced at regular service intervals?
OWIC647:The two parts are chump change and not worth the worry as to them being either good or bad.
I only use, and service, diaphragm regulators. So, I won't comment about comparisons with pistons.
But, insofar as diaphragm first stages go, it really isn't - ordinarily - an issue. You simply replace the diaphragm ever 1-2 years (depending on the manufacturer's recommendations) and be done with it. What DD experienced is really extraordinarily rare. But, when sensible maintenance procedures are not followed, you can have a problem. Probably, the best summary:
An interesting comment by DD (that I haven't seen discuss here, If I've missed it I applogise)
His Pony was bungied under his neck, and thus he had issues because of this inflating his DSMB. now I sling my pony, thus don't have that issue, but good thinking point for those with a fixed bungied Alt reg
For routine inflation I just switch to the bungee and use the primary to inflate. I have tried Stuart's approach and does well enough at depth but for shallow deployment I find it difficult. In a pinch though I can.An interesting comment by DD (that I haven't seen discuss here, If I've missed it I applogise)
His Pony was bungied under his neck, and thus he had issues because of this inflating his DSMB. now I sling my pony, thus don't have that issue, but good thinking point for those with a fixed bungied Alt reg
Its making me wonder the same thing. SB members often recommend service when needed rather than routine and use the IP gauge checks to moniter "as needed" status. Wondering now if this is a good approach to diaphragm first stages. May give the piston firsts a boost as the choice for DIY'ers.I understand. But, I often see posts around here regarding old regs that people have been using for 10 or more years without any service. Are those all piston regs then? I'm not saying I would want to, but if a good piston reg COULD reasonably go 10 years without expecting a catastrophic failure (versus a failure with slow onset) and a diaphragm regular cannot do that, then I would chalk it up as an advantage to a piston reg. Though an advantage that should never matter to a remotely conscientious diver.
I guess that depends on how you normally inflate your DSMB. My normal inflation method is to hold it beside my face, tilt my head, and let exhaust from the reg in my mouth inflate it. In that case, a bungee necklace makes no difference.