So How Often Do You Really Need Your Reg Serviced?

[joh]

My boyfriend and I have not dived for about 7 months. We had our regs rebuilt /serviced about 9 months ago (last July). The were dived with on two separate days following being rebuilt, and have been in storage for 7 months.

I wanted to do a dive next weekend - but bf says he does not want to go until he has his reg "checked out." I'm not questioning his judgment. If he wants to wait and go after he has them serviced again, so be it - we'll go to Key West and just enjoy Duval Street. :cool2: But what is the normal and standard safety practice? What is recommended - just testing of the regs??

I can't imagine that he would need to have them fully rebuilt already but I can imagine that the dive shop will want to tell him that they need to be, and charge a couple hundred bucks.

 

[bluebubble1995]

LDS Myth: Service them every year.
Reality: You will not die if a reg fails unless you panic. Most reg problems happen after being serviced. The more you practice free flow and OOA drills the more comfortable you will get letting service go for 5 or maybe 10 years. Over-servicing is not the answer...practicing OOA and free flow drills is. I read where a DM went 10,000 dives over 10 years without service. It's all your choice in the end.


EDIT: I recommend that at the beginning of every dive you circle your buddy looking for leaks, then do an OOA drill, then a free flow drill (while breathing through a working reg attempt to stop the free flow by blocking the air with your thumb. If that fails point your thumb to your valve and grab your buddys octo. Your buddy turns off the air and back on, if this doesn't fix it you begin a slow, controlled surface).

 

[rstofer]

We just did this not more than a week ago: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/278436-how-long-can-my-regs-go-without-rebuilding.html

I would be more inclined to dive a regulator I have previously used than one I get back from service and I certainly wouldn't worry about a 7 month gap. I might have mine serviced every couple of years but they are old regs. I might follow the factory recommendation if I had some kind of warranty.

Richard

 

[joh]

We just did this not more than a week ago: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/278436-how-long-can-my-regs-go-without-rebuilding.html

I would be more inclined to dive a regulator I have previously used than one I get back from service and I certainly wouldn't worry about a 7 month gap. I might have mine serviced every couple of years but they are old regs. I might follow the factory recommendation if I had some kind of warranty.

Richard

Thanks for the advice and the link to the previous thread!

I should have searched for it

 

[Web Monkey]

My boyfriend and I have not dived for about 7 months. We had our regs rebuilt /serviced about 9 months ago (last July). The were dived with on two separate days following being rebuilt, and have been in storage for 7 months.

I wanted to do a dive next weekend - but bf says he does not want to go until he has his reg "checked out." I'm not questioning his judgment. If he wants to wait and go after he has them serviced again, so be it - we'll go to Key West and just enjoy Duval Street. :cool2: But what is the normal and standard safety practice? What is recommended - just testing of the regs??

Assuming they worked OK and were properly rinsed after the last dive, they should be fine. The shortest recommended service interval I've seen is 1 year for normal use.

In any case, if you're concerned, take them out to a pool and check them out before your dive.

Terry

 

[redacted]

An annual service should be unnecessary, but an inspection would be appropriate. A good shop should do an inspection for about $25 per set. Or spend about $25 for a IP gauge and do it yourself now and in the future. Instructions: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html

 

[Couv]

Thanks for the advice and the link to the previous thread!

I should have searched for it

Hello Joh,

Awap et al pretty well summed it up but service frequency is an issue that comes up from time to time. Never be afraid to ask a question whether you have searched or not. Who knows? Someone else who did not consider to ask or search may benefit from the answers.

If you are determined to keep the useless and expensive warranty intact, you must follow the manufactures suggested service interval. However, even if you want to keep the useless and expensive warranty intact learning to check your equipment is very important and will help YOU determine if your equipment needs service. See this link for a set of checks everyone is capable of and should be doing: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html

If you can not get access to an Intermediate pressure gauge prior to your trip, do not fret too much. If the IP is too high, the second stage will free flow. If the IP is too low, you will notice a reduction in performance. Having said that, everyone should have an IP gauge to help monitor the condition of the first stage.

Good luck,

Couv