Yearly gear service

[Eric Sedletzky]

Just curious, but what does a "BC service" include? What do they do that can't be done by the owner?
Regs I can understand, but a BC?

 

[knowone]

Hope fully a good wash and internal flush with warm water and solution for sand, dirt, salt crystals and bugs. Includes removing removable stuff. Clean dry and minimally lube rubber stuff minimally so as not to attract more sand and dirt. Check springs, pull, and any other stuff for corrosion or impending failure. Replace o rings, zip ties and tyre valve. Well maintained bc total cost, solution+20 cents+time=very good. Not so well maintained bc total cost, solution+?+lot's more time=not so good at all.

 

[drdaddy]

I began with having my gear checked out yearly - by an extremely competent tech (Instructor/tech in his 40s and been at my shop 10 plus years). After a while, he told me to relax. I dive 50 plus dives a year. I also clean my gear thoroughly after every dive set. Now, I get it worked on when it needs it - every 2 or 3 years. I inspect my gear carefully and never let something go. This inspection includes testing my gear before every dive set (I usually set up the night before or the morning of, so I'm not rushed). I also have a couple of backup sets of everything, including BCs & Regs.

Also, I like to have my tech change my computer battery, but since he is in another town, I don't always have that option. So, I look at my battery indicator every single time I turn it on, and if it doesn't show full power - I replace it. This ends up about 1 time per year. I always have extra 'O' rings, battery and silicone jell. Switching out the batteries for myself is not rocket science. However, when I'm going to dive out of the country and it's been a while, I'll take it to him to have him change it out. Why do I have him do this? Because I think that the battery system that my Oceanic and backup computer/Suunto is 'mickymouse' and I want to know that everything was inspected and put together perfect. Yes, I can do it, and have done it, but I just don't want to pinch that 'O' ring.

The only thing that happened to me is that I ran a divelight battery down and had to switch to my backup during a night dive. I knew I should have changed it out, but it looked bright enough. Not a terrible thing, but it should not have happened.

One more thing about having a tech work on your gear - try it out before that "big dive trip". My excellent tech always makes my regs too sensitive and they blow air on surface swims - and since I dive jetties - there are always surface swims. Even though I've reminded him, he always forgets, and then says, "Oh yeah - you like it tighter" or something like that. He's even told me over the phone how to do it - it's an easy adjustment, but it is annoying - especially during a Rescue Diver class!

 

[redacted]

My gear gets thoroughly inspected often, at least quarterly or before each dive trip. I'm currently supporting 6 regulator rigs that get used fairly regularly and then a number of others that get called upon occasionally. I service a regulator (stage) or other piece of gear at the first sign of a problem. Often, I only repair the specific problem. So, when I find a small leak from an ambient chamber on one of my Scubapro Mk5s, either during an inspection or during a dive, I will troubleshoot, inspect/clean sealing surfaces, and replace o-rings but not touch the HP seat as long as IP is stable.

To manage your regulators in this manner, you either need to find a very cooperative tech or DIY.

I am in group 2 and am rather disappointed in the "professionals" who chose to scare divers into opening their wallets with tale of "life support failures" rather than helping them fully understand the capabilities and limitations of their gear. Unfortunately, the scuba manufacturing, retail, and training industry puts a lot of effort into limiting divers ability to inspect and maintain their own gear and insure their safety just so they can maximize their profit opportunities.

 

[redacted]

One more thing about having a tech work on your gear - try it out before that "big dive trip". My excellent tech always makes my regs too sensitive and they blow air on surface swims - and since I dive jetties - there are always surface swims. Even though I've reminded him, he always forgets, and then says, "Oh yeah - you like it tighter" or something like that. He's even told me over the phone how to do it - it's an easy adjustment, but it is annoying - especially during a Rescue Diver class!

Your problem would be solved with a good, user adjustable, 2nd stage. A turn of the knob would allow you to increase cracking pressure for freeflow resistance and then minimize cracking pressure for maximum performance once you submerge. It is not an either/or thing; you can have both.

 

[spectrum]

Just curious, but what does a "BC service" include? What do they do that can't be done by the owner?
Regs I can understand, but a BC?

Not much but some shops do offer it for the concerned owner.

It may include disassembling dumps to make sure there is no embedded sand or grit. Dis-assembly & grease of the inflator valve, testing OPV operation, testing that it holds pressure and a general safety inspection of all buckles, straps and Velcro for deterioration. The bladder may get a disinfecting flush.

Pete

 

[Straegen]

My service plan is to have the regs serviced based on manufacturer specifications (and that includes my brass and glass SPG that goes in with the regs), BC every other year, computer I do myself and fins/mask/wetsuit/SMB/etc I do an inspection at the beginning of the year for wear/tear.