There is finally a way that the average diver with some mechanical aptitude can get the training that he or she needs to do their own equipment repair.
Most manufacturers will only train their dealers to repair their products. The cost to provide this training is considerable but they usually do not charge thier dealers - its part of the service. They do not provide training for the general public because they want to protect their dealers. There is also the liability problem and the difficulty in getting updated maintenance and technical bulletins out to everyone who needs them.
Generally, the certification agencies no not want to get nvolved in training technicians because they are concerned with liability issues and they do not want to be seen as helping divers compet with the LDS for service revenue.
Just recently one agency announced a regulator training course. They are operating it in conjunction with a single equipment manufacturer - Edge. It is limited to one company's regulators and only offered to divers holding technical certification.
Many divers would be capable of doing their own regulator service and repair if they they could get the proper training and had the tools, repair diagrams and access to parts. Tools, repair diagrams and parts are available over the internet for most common brands of regulators to those who are willing to look for them. What is left is access to training.
Like other scuba training, an instructor who wants to teach equipment repair has to be certified to teach it in order to be covered by their liability insurance. The problem is that none of the certification agencies want to certify instructors to teach this course - until now.
Recognizing the need, I have designed a course to train the average diver (AOW or higher) to service his or her own regulators, BC's and tank valves. The course title is "Basic Scuba Maintenance and Repair Technician." I have just gotten the course approved as a distinctive specialty by MDEA. I am an MDEA Instructor Evaluator and I may certify both divers and instructors in this specialty. Divers must be at least certified to AOW and have reasonable mechanical aptitude. Instructors need not be certified through MDEA but must be current insured instructors with a recognized agency and must have at least one year's experience working in a position in which their responsibilities included regulator service. Instructors must have performed at least 50 regulator service jobs.
Anyone who is interested in obtaining this training may contact me.
Most manufacturers will only train their dealers to repair their products. The cost to provide this training is considerable but they usually do not charge thier dealers - its part of the service. They do not provide training for the general public because they want to protect their dealers. There is also the liability problem and the difficulty in getting updated maintenance and technical bulletins out to everyone who needs them.
Generally, the certification agencies no not want to get nvolved in training technicians because they are concerned with liability issues and they do not want to be seen as helping divers compet with the LDS for service revenue.
Just recently one agency announced a regulator training course. They are operating it in conjunction with a single equipment manufacturer - Edge. It is limited to one company's regulators and only offered to divers holding technical certification.
Many divers would be capable of doing their own regulator service and repair if they they could get the proper training and had the tools, repair diagrams and access to parts. Tools, repair diagrams and parts are available over the internet for most common brands of regulators to those who are willing to look for them. What is left is access to training.
Like other scuba training, an instructor who wants to teach equipment repair has to be certified to teach it in order to be covered by their liability insurance. The problem is that none of the certification agencies want to certify instructors to teach this course - until now.
Recognizing the need, I have designed a course to train the average diver (AOW or higher) to service his or her own regulators, BC's and tank valves. The course title is "Basic Scuba Maintenance and Repair Technician." I have just gotten the course approved as a distinctive specialty by MDEA. I am an MDEA Instructor Evaluator and I may certify both divers and instructors in this specialty. Divers must be at least certified to AOW and have reasonable mechanical aptitude. Instructors need not be certified through MDEA but must be current insured instructors with a recognized agency and must have at least one year's experience working in a position in which their responsibilities included regulator service. Instructors must have performed at least 50 regulator service jobs.
Anyone who is interested in obtaining this training may contact me.
