Sand inside regulator!

[fingeorge]

After a good dive, upon exiting we got washed out & tumbled real good at the beach. Later, after rinsing our gear we found out our regulators have a good deal of sand inside them. We can see it inside the silicone membranes (from the outside looking in). Has anyone else had this happened to them? and how in the world did you get the sand out?

Thanks,
George

 

[Cave Diver]

It would probably help if you specified what type of regulator you've got.

Many second stages come apart easily by removing the cover and you can then rinse the sand out. Shouldnt really be too big a deal.

Post info on type/brand for a more specific answer.

 

[herman]

Dissambling them is the best option but flowing running water into the mouthpiece and allowing it to flush out the exhaust will do a good job of cleaning it out most of the time. Using a hose and holding the reg with the mouthpiece horizonal works the best. Do not press the purge button while you are flushing the reg and if possible hook the reg to a tank and pressurize it. If by chance you do push the purge button it's no big deal but if you do, hooking the reg to a tank and purging the second stage is not a bad idea.

I would suggest you learn to remove the cover on the second stage. It's not difficult and is the best way to clean out the insides of a second stage.

 

[tfsails]

I wouldn't worry too much about sand in a regulator, as long as you can hook the reg to a tank and purge it a few times to make sure the sand doesn't get into the poppet area. The suggestion to rinse it with a hose is an excellent one.

We service a lot of public safety divers' gear at our dive shop. After seeing what they drag their stuff through (especially the octos...), no way can a little sand do much harm!

My hat's off to PS divers--they dive in water I wouldn't even think of going into and usually to do a hapless task.

 

[fingeorge]

It would probably help if you specified what type of regulator you've got.

Many second stages come apart easily by removing the cover and you can then rinse the sand out. Shouldnt really be too big a deal.

Post info on type/brand for a more specific answer.

I didn't think about it.
Buddy's:
2nd stage = Scubapro R190
Octo = Cressi-Sub XS Octopus

My set:
2nd & Octo are Zeagle. I have not been able to identify them by model. I purchased them used. I didn't get model info. They have been pretty reliable though. I can post pics, I bet you more seasoned divers can ID them just by looking at the pic.
By the way, I already rinsed the heck out of them with the hose on the mouthpiece as you guys suggest. I did that when I cleaned the gear after the dive. I found the sand after all the gear was dry. I can't imagine sucking on for air and ending with sand in the airway. I had that happened before, it is not a good experience. I coughed my lungs out that day. Luckily it happened out of the water when I was going through the pre-dive check (BWRAF).

And, thanks to all for replying, everyone here is a bank of information. I love this site.

 

[herman]

On the 190 and most likely the Zeagles the covers simply unscrew, no sure about the Cressi but odds are it will to. They may be tight and need a spanner to loosen them but usually you can place the cap side of the reg in your palm and twist them apart. Take care to note of the way the parts come apart. Usually there is a plastic washer between the cap and the diaphram, it need to go back in the correct place, it is important. The regs do not need to be torqued down tight, just snug, they are plastic after all.