Hoses - when should they be replaced?

[Mo2vation]

Been diving my same hoses for many years now.

Get the regs serviced every year, etc. Hoses gotta wear out, and I'd hate to have one go out of the blue on a dive.

Is there an acceptable preventative maintenance schedule for hoses? My DS hose is probably my newest, and its over 3 years old. These things have hundreds of dives on them. They look fine, aren't bubbling, don't leak, aren't cracking, etc.

Just wondering. I've been in gear maintenance mode the last few days, and have pretty much gone through everything, and I realized I know less about hose protocol than just about anything else.

Thanks

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Ken

 

[captndale]

Been diving my same hoses for many years now.

Get the regs serviced every year, etc. Hoses gotta wear out, and I'd hate to have one go out of the blue on a dive.

Is there an acceptable preventative maintenance schedule for hoses? My DS hose is probably my newest, and its over 3 years old. These things have hundreds of dives on them. They look fine, aren't bubbling, don't leak, aren't cracking, etc.

Just wondering. I've been in gear maintenance mode the last few days, and have pretty much gone through everything, and I realized I know less about hose protocol than just about anything else.

Thanks

---
Ken

Check the hose carefully for cracks and splits, especially at the ends. Bend the end fittings back and look for cracks under the the edges of the fittings. Pressurize the hose and submerge of test with soapy water for small bubbles. Feel and bend the hose to check for stiffening and possible brittleness that comes from age. Any questions - replace it. I take all the hose protectors off of my hoses and do not put sleeves, mesh or wraps on any of them. In this way I can always do a quick check of my hoses as part of my pre-dive equipment check.

 

[Mo2vation]

I take all the hose protectors off of my hoses and do not put sleeves, mesh or wraps on any of them. In this way I can always do a quick check of my hoses as part of my pre-dive equipment check.

A hose is a hose, not a BC fashion accessory. Leave that colorful girly mesh crapola for the people that dive jelly bean tanks in the Sandals Ads.

They look fine, you know? Feel fine. I guess they're OK. Maybe I'll replace them at the 5 year mark next year.

Thanks

---
Ken

 

[drbill]

I finally figured I'd better replace two of mine. The high pressure hose had numerous cracks at the tank end and my octo hose did two. Better safe than sorry. Don't need one to blow while I'm solo at 100 ft (although I would have my pony bottle with me).

I recently heard a strange story (here on SB?) where a guy's octo was dangling as he did a giant stride off a dive boat. Apparently it ripped the octo off the hose and the pressure caused the hose to flail, knocking him unconscious and smashing his face plate. Not a pretty thought.

 

[ScubaSarus]

I don't like cracking on hoses on bit niether HP or LP. Bubbling is out of the question. Once a hose starts cracking I'de start shopping around for a new one and keep the old for a dive saver spare knowing to be very careful the dive saved is not a deep dive and you can manage if it bursts although I don't recommend this either.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Personally I'll tolerate some "little" cracks in the surface rubber of a hose. It is, after all, just cosmetic (from a pressure holding standpoint) and a protective layer for the outer mesh of the pressure hose underneath it. You could strip it away entirely without affecting the hose's pressure capacity.
If it leaks, or if the cracks get "ugly," I replace it.
Rick

 

[Bob3]

Don't forget the old "Q-Tip Test", where you stick a cotton swab inside the hose & spin it.
If it comes out black or cruddy, its time for a new hose.
Some folks run a gun cleaning brush through their hoses, but I never felt comfortable with that.
Properly cared for, there's no reason a hose can't last 20 years or more.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I don't know bob, that is more of an indicator of carbon from a crappy compressor filter. I suspect that one was started by dive shop owners wanting to earn extra bucks in hose sales so that they could replace their filter systems.

 

[ScubaSarus]

If the compressor gunk its getting on the hoses its gotta be getting in the lungs. Lets not forget the lung X-rays in that case either. Just a little humor I hope.