When to maintenance BCD and regulator

Dedaciai · Sep 19, 2006

Hello all,

My girlfriend and I bought some new equipment last year (XS Scuba regulators and BCD's) and we were wondering when they need to be serviced. Since we've had our equipment (bought in May in 05) We have done approximately 45 dives in the last year with the euipment with no problems at all and are very please with its performance.

We are going to Cozumel for 6 days to do some diving at the end of October 2006. We are not sure if we should just jump in the pool with our equipment and make sure it works or should we go and have it over-hauled or serviced now? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have looked for our owner's manuals and cannot find them and XS's website does not have downloadable versions of the manual from their website.

Again, thanks for all of your help in advance!

louisianadiver · Sep 19, 2006

That's an easy one; you need to do both. Your life support equipment should be professionally serviced at least annually, and you should check it in a controlled environment such as a pool before using it in open water. -Clay

mike_s · Sep 19, 2006

Most regulator manufacturers "reccomend" that you do it once a year based on an average dive load. Excessive dive load they'll want you to do it more.

They "enforce" this once a year at least with a thread of coverage of warranty if you don't do it. Some vendors even include free parts for service if you keep it up once a year.

If it's not overhauled, they reccomend it should at least be inspected once a year.

XS Scuba's web page says you should have 'your original sales receipt along with proof of prior annual service' for warranty service.
http://www.xsscuba.com/warranty.html

XS SCuba also says:
HAVE YOUR REGULATOR SERVICED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED XS SCUBA DEALER. http://www.xsscuba.com/care_maintenance.html

You can find their manuals here:
http://www.xsscuba.com/owners_manuals.html

here is the regulator manual.
http://www.xsscuba.com/downloads/xs_scuba_regulator_manual.pdf

www.scubamazing.com · Sep 19, 2006

Aaarrrghhh! Ye best be doing it once per year. Theeee inspection to say the least.

Twould make for a sad sailing if ye had to use another blokes equipment. (wow, I'm not sure if I want pirate day to end or not!)

Dedaciai · Sep 19, 2006

Thanks for the links and the advice!

TheRedHead · Sep 19, 2006

I would recommend testing your regulator in a pool after service but prior to travel. The only times I've had problems with regulators is after service.

EvaL · Sep 19, 2006

I echo what mike_s says about servicing your regulator once a year - most manufacturers require it for warranty to be in effect. Do it with a diveshop you know is responsible. You'd feel better anyway, if your reg has been serviced by a professional before your trip to Cozumel.
As for the BCD, if you'd want to save money and not have the shop inspect it, I'd inspect the bladder for puncture/cuts and inflate it to check for leaks. I inflate it orally and check it 15 mins later to see if it is still full.
Have a good time in Cozumel and Dive safely.

REII · Sep 19, 2006

I have Mares regs and BCD for both my wife and I. I can tell you that Mares requires it annually. As an incentive, they give you free parts if you do the annual service within 45 days of your purchase anniversary.

TOM

mudchick · Sep 19, 2006

What constitutes "normal wear" or "use" and "excessive" or "above average" use for determining time of service?

mike_s · Sep 19, 2006

mudchick:
What constitutes "normal wear" or "use" and "excessive" or "above average" use for determining time of service?

This all varies I'm sure per manufacturer.....

but Aqualung for example bases it on 50 dives per year (on the regulator). If you dive it 50 or more dives a year, they want you to get it serviced more often on that time period. (from http://www.aqualung.com/product_warranties_reg_free.html)

I'm sure the other manfuacturers are in similar number of uses (per year)

When to maintenance BCD and regulator

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