Does this reg need service?

[divegal77]

I bought a new Cressi Sub reg last April, did all of my cert classes and check out dives with it. We also did two days in a local quarry for practice after, then one trip with 5 dives in Aruba. The reg has been tucked away since June of last year.

Question: Do I need to service this reg now, or can I do another 5 dives in the Caribbean in a couple weeks, and then maybe have it serviced after?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

-Shel

 

[ReefHound]

Two schools of thought. One says to service it annually regardless of how little it's been used or how well it's been taken care of. People view this as "insurance" or peace of mind. Officially, this will be what every dive shop recommends.

I subscribe to the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" thought, that if you take care of it and check it out thoroughly then service it as needed or on a longer interval. The most common time for regulator problems is right after servicing. It seems most of the time I'm on a boat and someone has reg problems, they say "but i just had it serviced before the trip".

I would recommend getting in a pool or local lake and trying it out before your trip, either way.

 

[elan]

take it to the pool or better OW and check how the reg behaves. should not be a problem if the reg was new. My LDS told me 2 years w/o servicing the reg out of the box should be fine.

 

[Paco]

I would think that the shop where you bought it would check it out for free. Mine does and they don't service them if they don't need servicing.

 

[DeputyDan]

Also depends on the environment the reg was stored in.

Hot and dry can cause the gaskets to dry out and possibly crack.

 

[redacted]

You probably should have its blood pressure (intermediate pressure and cracking pressure) checked. If they are in spec and there are no leaks (pressure and vacuum) or other obvious problems (like corrosion) then it may well be trouble free for some time yet. See the sticky on regulator inspection in the regulator forum for more advice.

 

[muddiver]

Because you have not used the equipment in a while, you don't know how it is going to do when you get to the Caribbean. Most agencies and manufactures will reccomend an annual service because that is the life expectancy of the soft, rubber like parts in you regulator. It has little to do with the usage, but with the environment it was stored in. Ozone, a common air contaminate, will eat the o-rings and gaskets. Heat, salt left from incomplete rinsing and cleaning and stress on the hoses if curled up can all be detrimental to the regulator set.

Having your gear service doesn't cost that much.

 

[Garrobo]

The added cost of a service compared to what you will be spending on your trip is minimal. Why take the chance? You'll end up renting a reg set of possibly drowning in the event that yours are defective.

 

[redacted]

The added cost of a service compared to what you will be spending on your trip is minimal. Why take the chance? You'll end up renting a reg set of possibly drowning in the event that yours are defective.

Or it could be perfectly fine without service and a simple service error could render it defective. Are you feeling lucky? Well, are you?

 

[Standingbear56]

What is the servicing interval required to maintain the reg's warranty? If you want to maintain your warranty, you need to go by that regardless of how little the reg was used. Besides, if it's over a year, you should have it serviced regardless.
Take care,
George