What regulator Kills the most divers?

[gcolbert]

The title is somewhat toungue in cheek, but does desereve an answer in light of all of the 'LIFE SUPPORT' equipment arguements in this area.

Has anyone or any agency collected and analyzed equipment failure information on regulators? Has any one performed a real Cost of Quality (COQ) on maintenance schedules for regulators? If not, it seems evident to me that yearly service is more myth then good mechanics. Where is the science for this?

Is there any proof that the maintenance schedules for regulators make our equipment any safer? Shouldn't the service schedule be based on number of dives or cubic feet of air as well as (or instead of) some arbitrary position of the earth around the sun?

So far, My experience is that regulators malfunction more often as a result of a service technician making a mistake than from not servicing the equipment. Servicing regulators clearly causes them to fail. I will never again take a regulator on an airplane before taking it into a pool after it has been serviced.

I do change the oil in my car every 3000 miles. This frequency was determined through a great deal of scientific failure research. I don't have my engine rebuilt every June because I bought the car that month.

 

[spectrum]

One reason behind the annual service is that most regulator seats are under the greatest stress while at rest. When you ask them to pass air they get to relax. Thus complnents will imprint and seat over time. Corrosion takes no holiday so if anything gets in there time will not be your friend.

I hear what you say about techs creating problems where none seemed to be before. That's tough except find a trusted tech and always test fresh gear in a safe location.

From what I've read accesories like the mouthpiece tearing are as likely as out and out regulator failure. Now a free flow won't be any fun and it will deplete the air supply quick but at least you have time to react in some way.

It's always hard to poove a negative.

Pete

 

[PaulChristenson]

The one not in your mouth...

 

[garyfotodiver]

How much experience do you have? What regulators do you own? Show some statistics. Have you planned a DOE to prove/disprove your theory. Back up your statement that, "Servicing regulators clearly causes them to fail."

It sounds to me that you just had a bad experience with some equipment failure.

 

[SwimJim]

One reason behind the annual service is that most regulator seats are under the greatest stress while at rest. When you ask them to pass air they get to relax. Thus complnents will imprint and seat over time. Corrosion takes no holiday so if anything gets in there time will not be your friend.

I hear what you say about techs creating problems where none seemed to be before. That's tough except find a trusted tech and always test fresh gear in a safe location.

From what I've read accesories like the mouthpiece tearing are as likely as out and out regulator failure. Now a free flow won't be any fun and it will deplete the air supply quick but at least you have time to react in some way.

It's always hard to poove a negative.

Pete

So what your trying to say is that we should just keep on diving to preserve our regulators seats. Okay, I can do that. Wouldn't want my trusty reg to go bad now!

Jim

 

[spectrum]

So what your trying to say is that we should just keep on diving to preserve our regulators seats. Okay, I can do that. Wouldn't want my trusty reg to go bad now!

Jim

Works for me!

 

[Hoosier]

There are many causes about the regulator's malfunction. Like you said, the unskilled technician is also a big factor nowadays. I just pick up SP regulator that has been serviced 6 month ago from my local buddy. I can't believe what LDS has done. It isn't a rocket science though. After seeing his SP reg, I have to admit that it really needs some brain to do. The less careful maintenance is also big factor that many rec divers just abandon their regs after the dives or just let boat monkey spray some water after the dives... Even, some divers disassembles their regulators without any tools and manuals. I am not sure what brings you to find out the notorious regualtors though. It is much easier to look for the best reputed regulators because the bad mouthed regs used to disappear in the market pretty soon.

As for the service interval, there are many scientific reports about 3000 mile oil change interval. The same myth has been practiced over two decades. Don't you think that the engine and oil have been developed dramatically over time? Atmoic asks two year service interval and SP requires one year interval. The service interval is also all depending on your dive log and diving environment. I have serviced my regs (SP and Apeks) by myself. All replacement parts last more than 2 years based on my experience. I am also told that the proper maintenance after each dive can give four year service periods. The regulator is reliable than what you thought.... Just my humble psi though.

 

[carldarl]

When you ask them to pass air they get to relax.

When I pass air I can only relax until my wife elbows me!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[gcolbert]

There are scientifically proven and accepted methods for determining equipment (not just talking about scuba) maintenance schedules. When Caterpillar says that a bearing needs to be changed after 5,000 hours, they aren't just guessing. What I am looking for is the research that shows that the yearly service recommended by my LDS is something more than just witchcraft.

 

[Hoosier]

Now you said 5000 hours, not 3000 miles. The consumer reports also did the sceintific research with NY taxies. There are no difference between 3000 and 7500 mile oil change interval. For your reference, Mercedez recommends at 7500-mile intervals for gasoline engines and 5000-mile intervals for pre-1995 diesel engines. Bimmer also recommends oil changes at very long intervals – 15,000 miles using synthetic motor oil 5000 miles with a general motor oil. I don't think they know what they are doing...