How often does my regulator need service?
It depends on how much you dive. Here’s the schedule we tell people, the signs it can’t wait, and the mistake we see before a lot of big trips.
How often
Many manufacturers recommend service once a year for the average diver. Your regulator’s manual has the exact interval, since it’s different for each brand, and we follow it for every regulator we service.
If you work in the industry or you’re diving all the time, it can be sooner, sometimes every 6 months. It all comes down to how often you dive.
Signs it can’t wait
Whatever the calendar says, bring it in now if you notice:
- Weird noises when you breathe
- A free-flow
- A leak where there shouldn’t be one
- A green filter on the first stage
- A dirty or moldy second stage
On the bench we also check the intermediate pressure, because if it’s off, the regulator isn’t working the way it should, even if it feels fine to you.
How long service takes
The work itself usually takes 2 days, 1 to service it and 1 to test it, but we usually have a line of a week or two, so plan for that.
The big mistake: service right before a trip
The biggest mistake we see is getting your gear serviced right before a big trip and not testing it.
Service techs are human, and a regulator is mechanical, so things can break, even fresh out of service. That’s why we test every regulator before it goes back, and why you should dive it close to home before you pack it.
So when someone comes in a few days before a trip with a regulator that’s working fine, we often tell them: dive it as is and bring it in when you get back. If it wasn’t broken before, why open it up now and risk a problem on the trip? There was no rush before the trip, so there’s no need for one now.
If it shows any of the signs above, that’s different: don’t take it on the trip, and bring it in early enough that we can service it and you can test it first.
Way past its service date, and the trip is days away? We’ll still service it, and we’ll tell you what we think. Next time, bring it in a few weeks before you go, so there’s time to service it, test it and dive it.
Buying a regulator online?
Some websites look like a dive shop, but every product just sends you to a big online marketplace. Before you buy a regulator online, check three things:
- Is the seller an authorized dealer for that brand? Some brands only honor the warranty, and programs like free parts for life, when you buy from an authorized dealer. Check the brand’s own warranty terms before you pay.
- Who will service it here in Puerto Rico, and can they get the parts and service kits for it?
- Was it set up and checked for you, hoses on and the intermediate pressure tested, or does it show up in a box for you to figure out?
Whatever you buy and wherever you buy it, it still needs regular service. We’re authorized to service Atomic Aquatics, Cressi, Hollis, Oceanic, Sherwood, XS Scuba and Zeagle regulators.
Due for service, or something feels off?