How often should a BC be serviced?

[neutrallybuoyant]

I was wondering how often you recommend a BC should be serviced. I have a Sherwood Avid and want to keep it in good condition so it never gives me any trouble on a dive. But at the same time money is tight and I don't want to be paying for unnecessary service. I get in about 10-20 dives a year (hopefully in the future I can get that number up!). Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

 

[acqua_girl]

Well, I have a Cressi Aqualight R and a Seac Sub Icaro Tech. I get both serviced once a year. Til now, never had a problem with any.

If you wash your BC after every dive and take good care of it, I don't think you'll need more than one annual check.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Depending on how attentive you are once a year is fine. Places to be especially mindful of when rinsing are the inflator mechanism, dump valves, and bladder. A good rinsing with fresh running water is best. Dunk tanks are good temporary measures. But I've seen some at resorts that I think I'd be better off taking it to the room and wearing it in the shower. ALso hanging it up and drying it before storage with a little air in the bladder. I do not store mine in tubs. I have a rack in my dive/computer/office room that everything goes on.

 

[Geoff_H]

If you rinse it after every dive/days servicing I doubt it really needs servicing. I've had about 300 dives on mine over 4 years and never considered getting it serviced.

 

[DoubleHoseDiver]

Never in 33 years. Rinse them and hang them up. Tim

 

[herman]

In a shop, never. Rinse them well when your done, which includes flushing plenty of water through the inflator and all dumps. I do take the dumps apart once or twice a year to clean out any sand but that is something anyone can do.....well most anyone.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Many dumps are easy to take apart: just unscrew and wash the spring and flap. Check for any wear and tear and screw back on.

Flush the inflator well before putting away for any significant period of time.

I should get my inflators serviced one of theses years, but haven't got around to it. I guess it should be done occasionally before they start sticking...

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[dkktsunami]

I carefully rinse (inside and out) my wing and plate after each salt water dive, allow to dry, and store partially inflated on a tank - I have never had a bc "serviced".

 

[Going The Distance]

I had an old Parkway b/c I got back in 1988. The only thing that got done to it was a freshwater wash down. The poor thing finally bit the dust in 2007. It got a yearly use of 25 dives a year. Rinse well and you should be fine..

 

[diver 85]

I had an old Parkway b/c I got back in 1988. The only thing that got done to it was a freshwater wash down. The poor thing finally bit the dust in 2007. It got a yearly use of 25 dives a year. Rinse well and you should be fine..

same here with my old Dacor(actually 2 of them- one for me & one for the wife)....Bought them in '85 & they played out in '04 & then '05 respectively, 900 dives and about 500 dives each...