How can I become a regulator repair technician?

[Lorenzoid]

If it's so easy to become a reg tech, why do all my local dive shops tell me it will take at least two weeks (and sometimes ends up taking four) to do annual service? They all claim their reg tech is swamped with a backlog. Some of them charge a premium for "rush" or expedited service. One would think that if there is that much demand for reg techs, interested people would fill the void.

 

[redacted]

There is one qualification for being a reg tech that may be hard for a shop to fill. In many cases, they must work for very little $$$. The shop takes most of it which also explains why it is so protective of that line. Service may take a long time because they don't stock parts, the tech is only part time or busy elsewhere, or because they just don't feel like working on regs this week.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Part of that is that some shops don't even do the service. They send it out to a tech who does them when he can. But in my experience the biggest reason for delays in reg service are because of the diver himself. Starting now is the best time to get a reg done in a timely manner. Shops are winding down classes, at least in cooler climates, and the instructors who are often techs will have the time to do them. On into say february and march. Want to have the longest wait for a reg? Wait until april or may. That's when everybody and his brother is looking to get theirs done "as soon as possible" for the trip they planned six months ago.
If you get them done over the offseason you have several clear benefits. You don't need them right now.
The tech does not have to rush and so we don't need to charge a rush fee. The tech is going to be very appreciative of you giving them the time to do it and of giving us some work over the slack period.
You will have time to take the reg into the pool a few times before that big expensive trip and make sure it's done to your needs and specifications as well as the mfg's.
And for those who are really looking to do their own as Doppler noted, HOG reg owners can take a class to do their own provided they meet certain criteria.

These are held in a number of places and often at dive shows. I am planning on offering the first one in my area at Scubafest in Columbus, Ohio in march. Right now I have two people interested and can take several more. There is also the option of doing a private one on one at any time if someone is willing to put in the time, effort, and invest a little in tools and books.
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[Doppler]

... I am planning on offering the first one in my area at Scubafest in Columbus, Ohio in march. Right now I have two people interested and can take several more. There is also the option of doing a private one on one at any time if someone is willing to put in the time, effort, and invest a little in tools and books.
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I would recommend Jim's course to anyone who is thinking about doing their own regulator service... even if you have other makes of reg... the course outline is broad and comprehensive.

 

[Scared Silly]

There is one qualification for being a reg tech that may be hard for a shop to fill. In many cases, they must work for very little $$$. The shop takes most of it which also explains why it is so protective of that line. Service may take a long time because they don't stock parts, the tech is only part time or busy elsewhere, or because they just don't feel like working on regs this week.

This is very true. Of the three shops I frequent, two of three have part time techs. One of which comes in twice a week for 4 hours. The other shop tech is owner so he in more option. That said I have a good relationship with all of the shop techs and they know I work on my regs and are willing to offer advise. Of course it does not hurt that I bring them beer.

 

[Colliam7]

I am extremely tempted to open my perfectly functional Atomic Z2 and look at how it is put together, mess around and put it back. I have never been inside a reg before but I would like to open up regs for a hobby. Can anyone please tell me if there are any courses for regulator repair technicians that are directed towards us ordinary folks?

Yes, there are.

You can approach training in a variety of ways, as some of the comments thus far suggest. To the comments already made, I would add:

1. You can go to DEMA and take one or more manufacturer's (short) courses. Generally, you have to be affiliated with a dive shop to sign up, but 'affiliated' can be liberally interpreted by the shop. I have taken Zeagle and Apeks courses there and they were quite useful.

2. Several manufacturers periodically offer courses at their facility - Zeagle comes immediately to mind.

3. You can take a course through a shop that offers regulator technician training, such as Virginia Scuba (Equipment Technician Training :: Virginia Scuba)

4. Airtech Scuba Services in Raleigh NC (http://www.airtechscubaservices.com/) periodically offers regulator service technician training (I have taken a course there, and recommend it).

 

[daniel f aleman]

Hall's Diving in Marathon, Florida has an extensive 48 hour course which will result in certification for several brands.

Diving Equipment Repair Technician Training/Career in Scuba Diving, Marathon FL Scuba Diving Career Training

 

[robertarak]

I will be conducting a TDI class - HOG Equipment Service Technician in SoCal in January.

 

[Lorenzoid]

There is one qualification for being a reg tech that may be hard for a shop to fill. In many cases, they must work for very little $$$. The shop takes most of it which also explains why it is so protective of that line. Service may take a long time because they don't stock parts, the tech is only part time or busy elsewhere, or because they just don't feel like working on regs this week.

Must a reg tech be affiliated with a dive shop? Why don't we see people advertising on-line to service regs? It seems to me that if someone wants to set up a business doing nothing but servicing regs, with fast turnaround, they could do a good business. My shop charges something like a hundred bucks and, as I said, they make all kinds of excuses when it's not ready when they said it would be. I'd gladly ship it off to a reliable reg specialist. Everyone who services regs is employed by a dive shop or a freelance contractor for a dive shop? It seems to me that the dive shop is the bottleneck.

As for Jim's comment, that's usually a shop's first question: "By when do you need it?" I have learned to bring my regs into the shop well before any planned trip. But if a shop says that normal turnaround is two weeks and I bring my reg in six weeks before a trip just to be on the extra safe side, that doesn't mean I think they should feel I am giving them an extra four weeks to service it. If I bring my car in for repair, they don't ask me when my next trip is scheduled.

 

[Scared Silly]

Must a reg tech be affiliated with a dive shop? Why don't we see people advertising on-line to service regs?

Yer going to need some popcorn and a big drink if you want an answer to that question. But in a nutshell and in general a mfg will not sell parts to anyone but a dealer. To be a dealer you much be a shop.