Scuba Equipment Service

For the time in between your annual or semi-annual servicing, you as the owner can help protect and extend the life of your scuba gear by following the post dive recommendations we have included below.

Equipment Maintenance

Regulators – After each day of diving, the regulator must be cleaned, inspected and prepared for the next use or for storage. As soon as the regulator is removed from the SCUBA cylinder, reinstall the dust cap over the regulator inlet port. This cap is normally attached to the regulator yoke and therefore has been under water. Be sure to blow out the water in this cap before securing it over the inlet port. If your dust cap is O-Ring sealed ensure that the O-Ring is in place inside the dust cap. As soon as possible after diving, the regulator should be soaked in warm (not over 120 degrees) tap water, for a short period of time, to remove salt and mineral deposits. The preferred method is to attach the regulator to a SCUBA cylinder, open the cylinder valve and thoroughly soak both the first and second stage regulators. Pay particular attention to directing water into the mainspring cavity of the first stage regulator and the second stage mouthpiece. Depress the purge button several times while the regulator is submerged in water. If no SCUBA cylinder is available, follow the above procedure, but be very careful NOT to depress the purge button, or leave the dust cap off when the regulator is submerged in water. Failure to do this will result in water entering both regulator stages, which could result in internal corrosion. Shake dry and wipe the regulator’s exterior with a clean cloth. Store the regulator in a cool, dry place with a large loop in the hoses. Do not store in a small regulator bag, as this will damage the hoses.

Buoyancy Compensators

Internal Care - In a salt water environment, it is extremely important to flush all the salt out of the B/C before it dries and forms rock salt. The rock salt will cut the bladder to shreds in a very short period of time. The B/C should be rinsed internally with warm (not over 120 degrees) water after each day of diving. Depress the oral inflator button and allow warm water to flow into the B/C until it is about 1/3 full. Grip the B/C by the top with one hand and the bottom with the other allowing water to accumulate on one side of the B/C only. Gather all the straps and the oral inflator hose in one hand and shake the B/C from side to side allowing the water to travel rapidly from one end of the B/C to the other. Then transfer the water to the other side and repeat the procedure. Next, gather all the water to the oral inflator side of the drain valve. While making the drain valve the lowest point has you hold the B/C upside down open the valve and allow the water to flow out. If salt is still present or the water is not clear, drain and repeat the rinsing procedure. It is also a good idea to use some type of B/C cleaning solution as part of the process.

Underwater Cameras - Before each day of diving, inspect O-ring(s) for cuts, tears, dirt or any damage. Clean all O-ring(s) then lubricate with a very light coating of the manufacture recommended type of O-ring grease. Replace any O-ring(s) if damaged. Latch and inspect all compartment doors. Replace all worn or damaged parts. At the end of each day of diving, all underwater camera equipment must be soaked in fresh water to remove salt deposits. Keep everything sealed while rising. Never use detergents, cleaners, solvents or chemicals to clean your camera equipment. The mask bucket on a boat is full of detergent – DO NOT USE THE MASK BUCKET TO RINSE YOUR PHOTO EQUIPMENT. Let the water drain from all of your camera equipment and wipe with a soft dry towel (such as a chamois) until dry. Be sure that you and your camera equipment are dry before opening any doors. Always keep the compartment cover O-ring clean, dry and free from obstructions such as sand, lint or salt crystals. For prolonged storage remove all batteries and insert fresh "Moisture Muncher" desiccant capsules.

Knives - All stainless steel knives will show some signs of rust due to their high carbon content (carbon creates tensile strength). After each use, rinse well with fresh water and dry outside of its sheath. Coat with a light layer of oil or silicone.

In the next couple of paragraphs we will explain the steps and procedures that we follow in servicing some of the more major components of life support gear. This is done in an effort to try and de-mystify what actually happens to your Regulator, B/C, or other piece of gear after you have dropped it off with the associate behind the sales counter.

Regulator Service Process (25 Step Protocol)

• The regulator is inspected by our technician to determine an approximate cost of repair.  This way we can contact the customer before proceeding if it looks like the regulator may exceed a reasonable charge for a regulator of that vintage.
  Sometimes the expected cost of a regulator repair may exceed the value of the regulator and we want to allow the customer to make the decision on proceeding with the work before it’s actually performed.
• The first stage of the regulator is completely disassembled.
• All metal parts are placed in the ultra sonic cleaner, with a mild acid solution for cleaning.
• All plastic/rubber and silicone parts are washed with soap and water, and then the rubber and silicone parts are treated with a silicone spray.
• Metal parts are removed, washed in a neutralizing solution, dried, and then polished. All internal ports and passages are also cleaned during this process.  
• All parts then go through an inspection process.
• The new parts are checked to insure there are no manufacturing defects with any of the parts that will be used in your regulator.
• The parts to be replaced vary depending on the manufacturer, but all dynamic O-rings, filters, and High Pressure Seats are usually replaced.
• The regulator is then re-assembled.
• The second stages are then disassembled.
• All metal parts and hose fittings are placed in the ultra sonic cleaner.
• All plastic parts are washed with soap and water, and treated with silicone.
• All parts of the second stage are inspected.
• All new parts are checked to insure there are no manufacturing defects with any of the parts that will be used in your regulator..
• The mouthpiece is inspected and inhalation and exhalation diaphragms are carefully checked to make sure there are no holes or other concerns.
• The body is checked for cracks.
• The second stages are re-assembled.
• The regulator is now tested on the flow bench. This is an important part of the regulator service procedure and without it the technician has no way to guarantee the performance characteristics of the regulator before handing it back over to the customer. If your current service technician is not using this equipment in their repair department you should probably consider a new source for your regulator service work.
• The first stage is adjusted to the manufacturer's spec on IP.
• The second stage is adjusted to the manufacturer's spec on breathing and exhaling resistance.
• After all checks and adjustments, the regulator is left pressurized and put on a breathing machine for 30 minutes to break in the new parts and to make sure there are no leaks or IP creep.
• Paperwork is filled out for the customer to show the test results and what service work was completed.
• Paperwork is filled out for manufacturer's warranty – if applicable.
• If your regulator is not under warranty, all parts replaced will be returned to you. If your regulator is under warranty, all warranted parts will be replaced and returned to the manufacturer at no cost to you.
• When your equipment is returned to you, all you need to do is add air, water, and “Go Dive”!

Click Here To See How A Typical Regulator Is Made.

Click Here To See How A Typical SPG Is Made.

• The buoyancy compensator is inspected by our technician to determine an approximate cost of repair.  This way we can contact the customer before proceeding if it looks like the B/C may exceed a reasonable charge for a B/C of that vintage. Sometimes the expected cost of repair may exceed the value of the B/C and we want to allow the customer to make the decision on proceeding with the work before it’s actually performed.
• The inflator (air source if equipped) is completely disassembled.
• All metal parts are placed in the ultra sonic cleaner, with a mild acid solution for cleaning.
• All plastic/rubber and silicone parts are washed with soap and water, and then the rubber and silicone parts are treated with a silicone spray.
• Metal parts are removed, washed in a neutralizing solution, and then dried. All internal ports and passages are also cleaned during this process.  
• All parts then go through an inspection process.
• The new parts are checked to insure there are no manufacturing defects with any of the parts that will be used in your inflator or air source if equipped.
• The parts to be replaced vary depending on the manufacturer, but all dynamic O-rings, filters, schrader valves, and low pressure seats are usually replaced.
• If the B/C is equipped with an air source then the mouthpiece is inspected and inhalation and exhalation diaphragms are carefully checked to make sure there are no holes or other concerns.
• The body of the inflator (air source if equipped) is checked for cracks.
• The inflator (air source if equipped) is then re-assembled.
• The internal bladder of the B/C is washed with a conditioner and thoroughly rinsed.
• If the B/C is equipped with an air source then the second stage regulator is now tested on the flow bench. This is an important part of the air source service procedure and without it the technician has no way to guarantee the performance characteristics of the regulator before handing it back over to the customer. If your current service technician is not using this equipment in their repair department you should probably consider a new source for your regulator service work.
• The second stage is adjusted to the manufacturer's spec on breathing and exhaling resistance.
• After all checks and adjustments, the second stage is left pressurized and put on a breathing machine for 30 minutes to break in the new parts and to make sure there are no leaks.
• Paperwork is filled out for the customer to show the test results and what service work was completed.
• Paperwork is filled out for manufacturer's warranty – if applicable.
• If your B/C is not under warranty, all parts replaced will be returned to you. If your B/C is under warranty, all warranted parts will be replaced and returned to the manufacturer at no cost to you.
• When your equipment is returned to you, all you need to do is add air, water, and “Go Dive”!

Click Here To See How A Typical Buoyancy Compensator Is Made.

Tank Inspection Process (18 Step Protocol)

The tanks that contain our breathing gas, regardless if it’s just air or 100% oxygen are just as important as the rest of our life support gear like the b/c and regulator and must be cared for with equal importance. We can take care of all of your cylinders, steel or aluminum, with services like VIP’s, hydro’s, tumbling, eddy current testing, and O2 cleaning for oxygen concentrations above 40%. As an additional benefit to our customers we include eddy current testing as part of our VIP process on ALL aluminum cylinders regardless of the year of manufacture. To learn more about sustained load cracking visit our “Gas Fill” section of the website under the “equipment” tab. At Aqua Immersion our technicians are PSI certified visual inspectors and we use the PSI (18) step protocol for completing VIP’s on your cylinders as follows:

• Drain cylinder – test reserve mechanism and valve handle
• Record background data – hydro date, heat damage, etc.
• Remove accessories
• Administer hammer test (on steel cylinders only)
• Inspect exterior
• Remove valve
• Remove any foreign matter
• View interior
• Inspect interior
• Inspect threads
• Inspect o-ring
• Inspect frangible disk
• Make a Pass/Fail judgment
• Install valve
• Assemble accessories and apply EOI (Evidence Of Inspection) sticker
• Fill cylinder and test for leaks
• Complete forms
• Return cylinder to owner

Click Here To See How A Typical Steel Cylinder Is Made.

Here are just some general observations we've made through the years:

• Vice grips are not appropriate tools for life support equipment.
• Neither is duct tape, usually…
• Cleaning an aluminum first stage with an ultrasonic cleaner is like washing your car with a flamethrower. Soap and water still have their uses.
• Regulators do not generally make dangerous noises; they just make annoying ones, which can be eliminated, but sometimes incantations are involved.
• No matter who does your service, always test your regulator before going on a dive trip.
• Tropical divemasters are not always competent service technicians, especially if they’re carrying vice grips.
• User-changeable batteries aren’t always.
• There is generally a direct correlation between how quickly the customer wants his regulator serviced and how badly the service is needed.
• Just because you bought it mail-order doesn’t mean you can have it serviced mail-order. We have no idea who made some of these regulators and how to find the parts.
• Just because you bought it “New – in the box” on eBay doesn’t mean it isn’t 20 years old and service parts haven’t been available for 10 years. “New” describes the condition, not the age.

How often should you have your regulator serviced?

Obviously, we are BIG fans of reasonable and regular service intervals. But this is not a one-size-fits-all deal. Variables include the number of dives, field maintenance and care, regulator make/model, etc. Most manufacturers recommend a year. Some use the number of dives. We suggest the following rule of thumb: Never dive your regulator if you don’t trust it to perform flawlessly, even in an unanticipated out-of-air emergency where a much greater demand is placed on it. If you don’t believe it is in this condition, have it serviced.

If you would like for us to service your gear simply download our Service Work Order Form, fill out the form and mail it along with your gear or drop off your gear to Aqua Immersion.