What we find inside a regulator that skipped service
When a regulator comes apart on our bench, we never quite know what’s waiting inside. Some of it is just gross, and some of it is scary.
The worst one: a needle
The worst thing we’ve ever found inside a regulator was a needle. Someone had decided to use it to hold the exhaust valve diaphragm in place. We know for a fact that no manufacturer would ever do that, so it was a homemade fix for a small problem that could have turned into a much bigger one if that needle ever moved.
It was pretty scary to see, and to think that someone thought it was a smart way to fix it. Nothing happened to that diver, but it could have gone very badly.
The gross ones
Other things we’ve found inside regulators include lizard eggs, cockroaches, ants, sand and bug skeletons.
What could happen on a dive
Bugs and critters are nasty, and nobody wants to breathe or swallow them. A loose needle is a whole different problem: if it gets dislodged, it could end up in someone’s throat, and that creates a serious emergency underwater.
If something on your regulator breaks, bring it in. A homemade fix might seem to work on land, but a regulator is life-support equipment.
What causes it
Most of the time, it’s how the gear was stored.
What to do after every dive
- Rinse it. Fully rinse your dive gear with fresh water.
- Dry it. Let it dry in a cool place, out of direct sunlight.
- Store it sealed. Keep it somewhere critters can’t get inside. Cockroaches like the salt, and that’s usually when you see mouthpieces and plastic parts with the corners bitten off.
Signs from the outside
You can’t always see the problem, but these are good hints that it’s time to bring it in:
- A mouthpiece that’s been bitten or chewed
- Weird colors when you look inside the second stage
- A grimy first stage
Not sure when it was last serviced? Check with our Is my gear due? tool, or read how often your regulator needs service.
Haven’t looked inside yours in a while? We will.