How well should you know your own gear? (in-depth fixes)

[Vincent Lin]

So let me set the scene for you:
You're on a liveaboard getting ready for a dive. You hook up your first stage to your tank, tighten down the yoke, slowly turn on the air. All of a sudden, you hear a pop and a slight hissing. Uh-oh! You turn the air off, slowly purge the system, loosen the yoke and take the apparatus off. You are shocked to discover your o-ring broke and now you need a new one. Luckily, you had an extra o-ring in your save-a-dive kit. You replace your o-ring, retry setting everything back up. It works, and now you go off happily diving.

So this leads to my question. While I have not had to do any repairs on my own equipment since I'm still relatively new to diving, I was wondering how much of my equipment I should learn. I want to go on a liveaboard, but I'm not ready to book one until I know my equipment to the point where I can fix something myself should an issue arise. This being said, how far along my gear should I learn? Has anybody every had to take a regulator completely apart and replace internal components? Ever had to patch a dry suit? Stitch up a BCD? etc. etc.

In short, I want to know how in depth I should understand my own equipment in the one in a million chance I get stranded on a deserted island with nothing but my own gear/tools and the only way for me to survive is to fix a sabotaged piece of equipment and dive underwater to avoid being shot by pirates patrolling the island above water lol . . . but no, just want to know how much I should learn for real-life fix scenarios

 

[northernone]

I like knowing as much as I can, it's what gives me peace of mind on a dive and how I don't miss out on a dive due problems with easy fixes.

It's come in handy hundreds of times.

Other divers are less hands on and are happy to simply dive and let a professional maintain their equipment and count on dive shops to the little fixes even.

I know a guy who has never assembled his own bcd/reg onto a tank in 20+ years. No interest in equipment, just loves diving. He tips well and hires a guide.

 

[Vincent Lin]

@northernone I would say I fall under the former category. I used to repair electronics for a living so I always enjoy learning about the inner mechanisms and feel much more comfortable fixing something myself rather than having somebody else do it for me.

That being said, because I'm not employed by any big-name scuba brands, and a lot of "service" type repairs isn't readily available for the diver to find out just by googling the internet. What would you suggest as to best way of learning about my own equipment rather than "playing" with my own gear?

 

[northernone]

@northernone I would say I fall under the former category. I used to repair electronics for a living so I always enjoy learning about the inner mechanisms and feel much more comfortable fixing something myself rather than having somebody else do it for me.

That being said, because I'm not employed by any big-name scuba brands, and a lot of "service" type repairs isn't readily available for the diver to find out just by googling the internet. What would you suggest as to best way of learning about my own equipment rather than "playing" with my own gear?

There are amazing youtube videos out there and this forum has tons of write ups on most every piece of gear imaginable.

Service manuals for older equipment are online and the modern stuff is very similar.

Yardsale finds make great practice pieces.

Enjoy!
Cameron

 

[rhwestfall]

Regulator Savvy (Spiral Bound)

SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR by Vance Harlow

 

[runsongas]

while knowing how to maintain and fix your gear is a good idea, it isn't necessary in order to enjoy a liveaboard. most will have some spare rental gear they can lend you so you can finish the trip.

 

[rhwestfall]

I use a "risk" analysis...

what did I miss if I miss the dive?

1. Simple fixes everyone should be able to do (basic o-rings).
2. If it is a big cost (charter/travel), I bring a complete spare set. For me or for our family of three I bring 1 full spare.
3. Can I rent?

Properly maintained equipment should likely get you through the situation..

FWIW - I'm not rebuilding a reg on a boat to save a dive.... maybe in the evening back at the cottage...

I've never been sidelined over equipment....

YMMV

 

[CWMurf]

Airspeedpress.com has not only the reg book but lot's of other great educational materials. Well worth having a look. The deeper you dig the easier it becomes to find what you need. Also find a local tech you respect and get to know him. If you show interest and aptitude he is likely to become very helpful.

 

[TMHeimer]

As a DM I knew basic stuff. O rings of course, fix someone's weight belt, mask/fin straps, etc. I can and have patched my wetsuits, gloves, hood (Aqua Seal). Can't do anything regarding internal reg parts. I do take my pony reg with me, as once I mistakenly put my tank on a hose and it broke. I carry a spare mask (not on the dive) and have used it rather than take the time that day to replace the strap--did that at home). I also have some of those clips that hold the mask strap to the mask (and have used them at least twice--they do pop off or break over time). I took the PADI Equip. Specialist course which was interesting, but that's about it.
For the OW courses we always had spares of everything. My guess is I agree that charters/liveaboards would at least have one or more of everything, but have not had need to ever ask.

 

[elgoog]

As already mentioned, knowing more never hurts but when I'm on a trip, liveaboard or otherwise, I'm not looking to sit around trying to take stuff apart and fix it.

@runsongas mentioned rental gear onboard which is a good option.

I prefer to have quick fixes for my own equipment so take along some spares of parts that are drop in and very easy to do - spare mask, spare fin strap, regulator mouthpiece, BC K-style inflator, BC OPV valve, my stage reg (not to do stage dives but because it gives me a spare 1st stage, 2nd stage, regulator hose and I also temporarily attach a BC hose to it as well).

Also, test all your gear before leaving on the trip - this will help you avoid the vast majority of the issues you are likely to run into.