Proper care of your scuba regulator is essential for maintaining performance, reliability, and safety on every dive.
Taking care of your scuba regulator involves consistent practices before, during, and especially after each dive. Proper handling and storage significantly extend the life of your equipment and ensure it functions correctly when you need it most.
Post-Dive Rinsing: The First Step
Immediately after diving, rinsing your regulator is crucial to remove salt, sand, chlorine, and other contaminants that can cause corrosion and wear.
- Ensure the Dust Cap is On: Absolutely critical! Before exposing your first stage to any water, verify the dust cap is securely in place on the yoke or DIN fitting. Getting water inside the first stage can cause severe damage.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Immerse the entire regulator assembly (first stage, hoses, second stages) in clean, fresh water. Swirl and gently agitate to remove debris.
- Flush Second Stages: While in the water, press the purge button on each second stage briefly to allow fresh water to flush through, but do not hold it down for extended periods, as this could potentially draw water into the hose if the first stage is not pressurized. A quick press is usually sufficient with adequate rinsing.
Thorough Drying and Proper Storage
After rinsing, ensuring your regulator is completely dry before storage prevents internal corrosion and bacterial growth. This is a vital step for maintaining the regulator's condition.
- Initial Drying: After rinsing, towel dry your regulators at first and then air dry them, as recommended for effective initial moisture removal.
- Drain Water: Make sure that any water collected inside the 2nd stages is drained. Hold the second stages mouthpiece-down and gently shake or tap to expel trapped water.
- Air Drying: Allow the regulator to air dry completely in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and heat. Hang it loosely to allow air circulation around all components and hoses.
- Storage Environment: Store your regulator in a cool, dry place, ideally in its own padded bag. Avoid storing it in direct contact with other gear that might cause kinking or damage to hoses.
- Moisture Absorption: To further protect against residual moisture during storage, Silica packets you receive with certain goods are handy to keep around your regulators when storing them as they absorb moisture so your regs stay dry and fresh.
Regular Inspections
Periodically inspect your regulator between dives and before storage.
- Hoses: Check hoses for cracks, kinks, bulges, or signs of wear, especially near fittings.
- Mouthpieces: Inspect mouthpieces for tears or signs of deterioration and ensure they are securely attached.
- Fittings: Check that all hose fittings are snug and secure.
- Overall Condition: Look for any visible signs of damage or corrosion.
Scheduled Professional Servicing
Even with diligent personal care, internal components of your regulator wear down and require expert attention.
- Follow Manufacturer Recommendations: Adhere to the manufacturer's recommended service intervals, typically annually or after a certain number of dives.
- Use Certified Technicians: Always have your regulator serviced by a certified technician trained for your specific brand and model.
- Service Kit Components: Regular servicing involves disassembling the regulator, cleaning internal parts, replacing O-rings and worn components using manufacturer-approved service kits, and tuning the regulator back to optimal performance specifications.
By following these steps, including proper rinsing, thorough drying, smart storage techniques using aids like silica packets, and adhering to scheduled professional servicing, you ensure your scuba regulator remains reliable and safe for your underwater adventures.
