New Regulator, new to diving, question about cleaning

[HEFFAY]

Just bought my first reg today (Atomic T2) and got a really good deal on it. It was a "floor model" though, and being a germ freak, what's the best way to clean the mouthpiece on this bad boy? Anything besides just fresh water? Is soap dangerous? God only knows how many people have grabbed this thing.

 

[shotthebreeze]

I'd take the mouthpiece off and boil it for a bit...and soap up the rest of it.

 

[herman]

If you must, take it off and wash it in dish washing liquid, rinse well and replace it......do a few buddy breathing drills and you could care less.

 

[fireflock]

Ask the shop you bought it from for a new mouthpiece. They sell for like $12; dealer cost is probably half that. If you took a T2 off their hands then they should be glad to throw that in with the deal.

 

[HEFFAY]

good to know they are pretty cheap to replace.

excuse the complete noob question, but it appears to be attached with a zip tie. guessing I have to just cut it off and put a new one on?

 

[S. starfish]

You guess correctly.

 

[fisherdvm]

I think these are the goofy regs that needs to be pressurized by a tank before and during rinsing to keep water out of the second stage. Also, you can't do a negative pressure check on these regs (or even the octo) by sucking on it dry with the valve shut off.

 

[BabyDuck]

you could also give it a swish in water with some listerine added...

 

[HEFFAY]

I think these are the goofy regs that needs to be pressurized by a tank before and during rinsing to keep water out of the second stage. Also, you can't do a negative pressure check on these regs (or even the octo) by sucking on it dry with the valve shut off.

Isn't keeping pressure on a reg always a good idea to avoid any chance of water making it in during rinsing regardless of brand?

Until I actually dive with this thing (and have access to a tank), I think I'll just wash off the mouthpiece to at least make myself feel a little bit better about french kissing hundreds of unknown arizonans

 

[fisherdvm]

Isn't keeping pressure on a reg always a good idea to avoid any chance of water making it in during rinsing regardless of brand?

It is a good idea, but I rarely see anyone do it. Except for those with the fancy atomics. Look at all the rentals at the dive shop. They are all dunked in the water without a tank attached. I guess you'd have to bring your own pony if the dive shop wouldn't let you carry a tank to the rinse bucket.