Divectionist
Contributor
It may take a while to collect enough data on this given the generally low failure rate, however, it would be great to have some insight into when people here experience regulator failure.
We will see the regulator set as a whole, that is, not differentiate between first or second stage failures to keep answer possibilities down - but please feel free to elaborate in a response. To account for the care factor, the poll is generally split into:
For the poll, it does not matter whether the reg failed catastrophically at depth or the failure was caught on dry land during a pre-dive check or with the IP gauge - let's consider any behaviour out of spec that is either a real problem right away, or a clear sign of the reg developing such a problem, as 'failure'. We can draw the line of IP gauge-caught failure, for example, at a creep that does not lock up close enough to the specified pressure.
With the help of those unfortunate enough to have had a reg failure, we may be able to get closer to narrowing down the age old question of when a regulator should be serviced and understand how important the care and periodic user inspection factor is for a conclusion. Battlefield stories of how you dealt with the failure on the day would of course be appreciated!
We will see the regulator set as a whole, that is, not differentiate between first or second stage failures to keep answer possibilities down - but please feel free to elaborate in a response. To account for the care factor, the poll is generally split into:
- Perfect care - reg set has been well cared for, defined as great care taken to avoid water intrusion and generally a thorough cleaning/drying/inspecting/storing routine, perhaps some user IP checks, etc.
- Imperfect care - anything that deviates from the above, does not necessarily mean neglect but could be a 'quick rinse' only environment, rough handling, no periodic inspection, such as often seen in busy or high volume dive environments, or from divers that do not treat their regs as overly fragile objects.
- Before service due - the reg failed whilst it was within service specifications, as in either the number of dives or time span before the next service is due, as per the manufacturer's specification, has not been reached yet.
- After service due - the reg failed beyond the service due date, meaning a service has been omitted.
- Immediately after service - the reg failed immediately or shortly after a service was performed.
- Immediately when new - the reg failed immediately after being purchased / set up brand new.
For the poll, it does not matter whether the reg failed catastrophically at depth or the failure was caught on dry land during a pre-dive check or with the IP gauge - let's consider any behaviour out of spec that is either a real problem right away, or a clear sign of the reg developing such a problem, as 'failure'. We can draw the line of IP gauge-caught failure, for example, at a creep that does not lock up close enough to the specified pressure.
With the help of those unfortunate enough to have had a reg failure, we may be able to get closer to narrowing down the age old question of when a regulator should be serviced and understand how important the care and periodic user inspection factor is for a conclusion. Battlefield stories of how you dealt with the failure on the day would of course be appreciated!