Never Really Used My Gear- Should it be Serviced?

[Connor Dreichler]

So I got my basic, advanced, and nitrox certification in 2016. At the same time I started the advanced and nitrox class, I bought a nice set of equipment as if I did, the class and certification was free.

I bought a Hollis 500SE (I believe that’s the exact model), an Aqualung second stage, an Aqualung BCD, and a wetsuit/mask/fins that I believe are also aqualung (but that doesn’t matter too much). I also got a nice computer for my wrist to go with it all. It’s an Oceanic Geo 2. I spent about $1500 on the whole setup- and am disappointed in myself that I haven’t used it at all pretty much.

I did 3 dives with this equipment (maybe 2) back in 2016. From then, it has all sat in my closet. It is air conditioned so that’s good. But it is lightly dusty.

I am assuming this whole setup- regulators and BCD— is going to need a service. But I just want to make sure. It’s not shot, is it? With a proper service it should be fine?

I live in South Florida and want to get back into diving as I just finished school, but also need a dive partner or two as none of my friends are certified- and I really don’t want to go alone. I’d also probably need a little refresher.

Thanks for any input!

 

[kelemvor]

Sometimes the rubber parts that form seals can "set in" which makes them not really seal as well. It wouldn't hurt to take the reg in. Check to see if the bcd holds air overnight. If not, take it in. At least, that's what I'd do.

The regulator is definitely not going to be "shot" as in permanently unusable. You might spend 100 bucks or so on parts+labor for service. The BCD is probably fine but if it doesn't have a replaceable bladder then there's a small chance it could be shot. I doubt it though. When I first started diving, a buddy lent me his bcd that had been sitting in a closet for 20 years. Other than not having integrated weights, it worked just fine.

Look for scuba meetups in your area. Maybe take a refresher and some other class like an AOW or something at your LDS. Both of those are good ways to meet buddies.. at least they were before covid.

There's a decent number of divers from South FL on this board. You may find some willing buddies on here, too.

 

[runsongas]

if the bcd holds air and doesn't leak, then it is fine. you can either manually inflate or hook up the regs and use the inflator. check there is no buildup causing the buttons to stick on the inflator.

get an IP gauge for the regs and hook them up to a tank. if they don't leak and the IP holds steady then make your own decision whether to just use as is or not.

check the battery level on the dive computer, if it is low then change the battery. geo 2 uses a pretty standard oring and battery.

 

[James79]

Take a look at this checklist;
Regulator Inspection and Checklist (Rev-8)
Also, the reg set won't be "shot" unless it was seriously abused in those hand full of dives (like letting them flood with salt water and putting them away that way).... even then they would probably be repairable! I clean up and rebuild old regs as a hobby... I've bought some that looked like trash and they cleaned up great. Also one that are verified as having last been serviced 25 years before I got them... Rebuilt on principle, not because it needed it! Your gear should be good... get it looked at, like Kelemvor said, and find some dive buddies... I'm a fan of shore dives. Cost me a fill... and that's it. Cheap way to get in the water and build time and experience.
Respectfully,
James

 

[Edward3c]

Kit that isn’t used is likely to deteriorate quicker that equipment used on a regular basis.

 

[dmaziuk]

Check the BCD dump valves, just pull them a few times to see if they open and close, then inflate and see if it holds air. In addition to rubber "setting", it could stick. It (it's just a rubber disc in there) can also get unglued from its plastic base and fall out when you pull the dump, and prevent it from closing properly again.

The good news it's just a piece of rubber and a spring under a plastic screw-on cap, all trivially fixable. Unless it has one where you pull on the inflator hose, those are a little less easy.

 

[Connor Dreichler]

Thank you for the the input and advice from everyone! I am glad to hear that it shouldn’t be shot! But, before I dive again, I think I’ll have everything looked over and serviced by a professional. Gives me peace at mind rather than jumping in the water and thinking “well I hope it’s all still good.”

 

[BRT]

Someday I'm gonna own gear that new! Ahh....who am I kidding?

 

[Subcooled]

Kit that isn’t used is likely to deteriorate quicker that equipment used on a regular basis.

Because gear used tends to get serviced regularly? Any other explanations?

 

[Bierstadt]

You've got some good advice already, but here's 3 pieces of mine:
1) Get your regs serviced. It's been 4 years, they're normally supposed to be serviced every 2, and while they are probably fine you are going to have enough task loading just remembering how to dive and rebuilding muscle memory. Just bite the bullet and have them done and know that at least the most critical piece of your kit is good to go.
2) Follow the previous advice on your other gear. Give it all a good wash, do the air holding overnight test on your bcd, check your dive computer and see if you need to replace the battery, etc. Mind the strap on your mask, if anything is going to fail on it it will probably be the strap. Mine's 10 years old, but YMMV.
3) Sign up for a dive class. Not necessarily because you need it, but because it will force you to go be around other divers and do some diving. And a lot of dive shops have dive clubs where you can meet dive buddies. And of course, it will help you become a better diver. Divers tend to want dive buddies who have their skills up to snuff. The guy in perfect trim is going to have an easier time finding a buddy than the guy bouncing around the bottom like a yoyo. So go diving, train, and meet other divers. It will take time, but you will find some buddies doing the same thing.