How to properly clean your regulator.

[Scuba-dan]

Hi,

I just bought my new 1st stage, 2nd stage and Octo. We dive in fresh water every Wednesday. Once in a while there might be some weeds on the tank or the hoses. I was wondering is it necessary to rinse it and if so how is the property to do this in order not to damage anything?

Obviously the dust cap is on the 1st stage, but I'm mainly curious about the 2nd and Octo.

Thanks,

 

[mike_s]

either put the dust cap on snugly or put it on a tank and pressurize it. (the later is the better option).

then wash out in fresh water.



Even if you're diving in fresh water, you can still get microorganisms, silt, etc in the reg. Seen it happen.


Then 2nd stage and the octo will be fine. they are meant to be submerged. i wouldn't push the cover purge valve though submerged unless it's on a pressurized tank. why? because that purge valve is a lever valve. you push it, it opens it and can let water in the dry hose if not pressurized.

 

[Scuba-dan]

Thanks for the info mike_s.

 

[Scared Silly]

One thing that I like to do after diving in silty or sandy water is to remove the purge cover and rinse out the second stage really well. Stuff does get in there. Also for salt water a good hour long soak does wonders for the reg.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

I recently rebuilt two deco regs that have never seen salt water, and they were filthy inside. Fresh water doesn't equal clean gear

Also make sure your dust cap is water tight. If it screws on, or is held in place by the yoke screw, thats a good sign. I've seen regs thrown in the pile of gear to spray down that had those pop on DIN caps that probably wouldn't be very waterproof...

 

[Scuba-dan]

One thing that I like to do after diving in silty or sandy water is to remove the purge cover and rinse out the second stage really well. Stuff does get in there. Also for salt water a good hour long soak does wonders for the reg.

I'm planning on going down south which I want to bring my reg with me. I notice that they have these water tank with fresh water. So as long that the dusk cap is secure, just rinse it in there?

 

[rhwestfall]

I'm planning on going down south which I want to bring my reg with me. I notice that they have these water tank with fresh water. So as long that the dusk cap is secure, just rinse it in there?

yes (but make sure it isn't the "camera only" tank). Dust cap on, swish around, don't hit the purge.

 

[Hatul]

The one caveat is public rinse tanks have been found to be contaminated so it's a good idea to bring some mouthwash to rinse the mouthpiece.

Adam

 

[Scuba-dan]

Yeah that's a good idea, who really knows in that tank....

 

[emoreira]

This is an excerpt of my Dacor Reg set instruction manual, with the post dive instructions.