Every responsible scuba diver should have the proper knowledge about the proper way to maintain scuba gear. As a regular diver, you should take your time to when conducting the visual inspection, cleaning and performing any other necessary steps for caring for your equipment both pre- and post-dive. 

However, another important step in the maintenance process is a timely inspection and service by a specialized technician. Following these steps won’t only prolong the lifespan of your equipment, but it is also considered one of the best insurance policies to be able to stay safe while scuba diving.

So, do you know how often you should conduct scuba equipment maintenance? Let’s set up a discussion to find out the answer for this question.

The One Year Rule

Industry standards dictate that scuba diving equipment should be serviced every year, regardless of the number of times you use it throughout the year.

This postulate originated in the 1950s, and its purpose related to that some of the regulator parts, like valve seals as well as o-rings were made from rubber, which would stretch and decay after repeat usage and stop sealing properly. Both plastic and metal parts should also corrode and break quicker.

Today, the situation isn’t the same. While it is true that rarely-used equipment needs regular maintenance as the frequently-used ones, as a result, the accuracy of the one-year rule may have changed.

Since modern materials last longer, determining scuba gear service intervals has become less clear-cut.

Although many divers do scuba equipment maintenance every year, other drivers think regular check-ups are just a way to make money, so they avoid inspections for years.

So How can you do regular scuba regulator maintenance and stay safe without spending too much on servicing? Let’s try to find out by exploring which gear needs servicing, What a routine service covers and the best time to get your gear checked.

Regulators

When we talk about scuba equipment maintenance, Most divers first think about their regulators. This scuba gear has many small parts and needs regular check-ups.

Most dive centers will do a full regulator check when you bring it in for servicing. It involves taking apart all parts, removing grease, in addition to deep cleaning.

Each metal part should be inspected for any wear and replaced if needed. O-rings should be changed automatically even if there is no deterioration.

O-rings are always replaced, even if there is no damage. The regulator is tested for inhalation effort, exhalation resistance, in addition to interstage pressure.

You can adjust pressures as long as you need to enjoy smooth breathing without any free flows. Reliable dive shops provide old parts after servicing, which allows you to check what was replaced and its condition.

Many brands don’t need a full rebuild every year to keep the warranty valid. At the dive shop, you can choose an inspection, adjustment, or overhaul. If your regulator works fine, you can request an inspection or bench check to save money.

A technician visually inspects the regulator to be able to spot any clear issues, like a torn mouthpiece, cracks of the hoses or some corrosion inside the inlet filter fitting.

If there aren’t any external problems needed to be addressed, the tech checks interstage pressure, exhalation effort, cracking pressure, and flow rate.

This reveals if internal issues require disassembly. Finally, the technician will submerge the whole regulator system to inspect for any leaks or bubbling. If a problem is found, it’s fixed. If not, the regulator passes inspection and is safe to use.

The best time to service your regulator depends on warranties and precaution. To keep your gear under warranty, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Most manufacturers still need to do scuba equipment maintenance every year, or after 80 to 100 dives, whichever comes first. Others, especially those that generate higher-end regulators, need less frequent servicing due to their exceptional durability.

Remember that the purchase date and service the regulator by its anniversary to keep the warranty valid.

Before a dive trip, allow time for at least one or two dives or pool sessions after servicing. This will help you to see if you need any adjustments to be made or not.

BCDs

Many divers don’t realize that BCDs need the same care and servicing as regulators to perform and look their best. So what constitutes a BCD service? In short, the technician will perform:

• Full disassembling
• Cleaning the BCD both inside and outside, including the power inflator in addition to dump valves.
• Replacing the internal components with manufacturer-specific parts, if necessary.
• Reassembling the unit.
• Examining all straps and releases.
• Conducting comprehensive leak tests.

With these steps, you can find any damage or wear that could cause problems later. After the overhaul, your BCD will resemble a new one.

If you are wondering about the place in which your BCD should be serviced, once again, read the instructions of the manufacturer in order to keep up with the warranty. Maintain both your BCD and your regulator to save both your time and trips to the dive shop.

Tanks

Unlike BCDs and regulators, all tanks need the same things to be serviced. All tanks require an annual inspection in addition to a hydro test every 3–5 years, relying on local rules (5 years in North America).

A visual check helps in preventing rust, cracks, as well as the early failures. Normally, a technician will check if the tank has rust, dents, bulges, anc cuts.

The inside should also be checked for any corrosion or contamination with the help of a bright light. In addition to that, the technician should check the valve, the threads, the burst disc and the O-rings.

During the hydrostatic test, the technician will pressurize the scuba tank to 5/3 of its working pressure in order to measure the flexing of the tank walls. This is done by replacing the valve with a special hydraulic testing connection and filling the scuba tank with water. The tanks are not filled with air during the testing because it would be too explosive in case the tank was to let go. Because water cannot be compressed, the tank cannot explode if it fails.

The valve service is another important part of tank maintenance. You should do scuba tank maintenance every year. You can choose between a valve rebuild, which replaces its internal components, or a valve cleaning with new o-rings.

Remember, the tanks come with a long life expectancy (nearly 25 years for aluminum tanks and for steel cylinders), but they can’t last forever. So, If your tank fails visual or hydrostatic inspection, you’ll need a new one. If you attempt to use or fill it, a serious injury may occur.

When talking about gas fills, just follow the simple rules: choose a dive shop with a trusted reputation, a compressor with good maintenance, in addition to visually inspected tanks.

In North America, Dive shops should test air quarterly to grade “E” and replace filters every 100-200 hours or within 6 months. Ask the shop owner these questions—if they can’t answer, go elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

As a conclusion, let’s brief this article about equipment servicing in the following points:

• If you are going to purchase your first set of scuba diving equipment or have to replace one of its units, you should keep in mind the manufacturer warranties before you make the final choice.
• Look at how often they need to be serviced and what is the policy of its replacement parts. Most manufacturers will need to make a special parts warranty that will give you in turn free parts in case of staying within your service agreement.
• If the manufacturer of the gear can’t provide the parts for free, you will need to pay in every time you get them serviced, which may in turn add up to a hefty amount by time.
• Ensure that the dive shop you choose and the technician you deal with is an authorized dealer of the brand you use. Otherwise, the service you are receiving could potentially be unreliable and void your warranty as a customer.
• Follow the instructions provided with your equipment. As every manufacturer will have its requirements on how often you should conduct scuba equipment maintenance. Adhere to their guidelines to maintain your warranty. If you have lost your manual, you can find it on the website of the manufacturer.
• Keep records of gear purchases, service receipts, as well as warranty details with serial numbers to confirm free parts eligibility. Keep records—they help if your gear has a problem, you’re overcharged, or service is denied and you need to contact the company.
• At last, don’t forget, every diver has their own way to handle their scuba diving equipment. There’s no single servicing method that suits everyone. Ultimately, your scuba diving equipment is regarded as your life support equipment, and you are the one who is responsible for your own safety. You should know how to recognize the performance level of your scuba equipment and never dive if you don’t fully trust it.