Hey Lost Yooper and all...
This is a touchy issue with me for several reasons. As an ASE Master AUtomotive Technician, I can understand your reservation about working on your car, Jonathan. It is composed of several sub-systems which can also be composed of several sub systems. It is complicated (especially with EPA mandated computerized ignition and fuel injection) and it is dirty, but it anin't rocket science either. With thirty years in the automotive arena I think it matters more that the technician working on your car CARES about his work rather than what he actually KNOWS.
Yes, I have seen more than one car completely wanked by a well meaning owner, but hey, like I said there are many many subsystems you have to learn, in order to service one competently. It is also against the law for a dealer to NOT sell you parts. It is mandated by law that they have replacement parts available for your vehicle for at least ten years after it's manufacture. It's my car, I am the one responsible for making sure it stops correctly... I determine who actually fixes it; me or some wank that cares only for a pay check.
That being said, I do hate cars and choose to not service my own!!! I send them to various places for them to deal with the dirt and the sweat while I go out and dive. I do this with $70,000 PLUS of tools sitting in my garage. It's not a matter of money for me. However, regulators are NOT complex. In fact they are rather simple feedback mechanisms that every diver should understand thoroughly.
Imagine my surprise when a certain LDS told me they could not sell me a low pressure valve seat for my Aqualung a couple of months ago. He gave me the song and dance about not being certified, and then I asked to see their technician's credentials. WHOA... more song and dance. I then told him, if I can't buy it from you, I would not come back, and then the tune AND the song changed. I got the part too!
Yes, I am an incurable gear head. I had a diaphragm on my newly professionally serviced reg do the same thing as yours Jonathan, while I was Dive Mastering a class. After that, I decided to not let others service my regulator for me. I made an intermediate pressure guage and bought a book and learned what I did not know. I will put my "hey, my butt is on the line here" attitude against the experience and knowledge of that tech who had me sucking in suds at thirty feet.
It should always be the diver's call as to what they feel competent to do on their own equipment. I don't feel it is a matter of liability or anything else but an industry's attemept to make as much money as possible for itself. The more you rely (or have to rely) on "them" the more you have to pay "them" for their "invaluable" services. Most divers are scared of a regulator, and to them it will always be a little black box filled with magic. That's their decision, mine is the path of knowledge and knowing that whether at 35 feet or even 35 meters, the guy who serviced my reg actually cares whether I live to tell the tale of my dive.
:tease:
