Regulator Repair Seminars

[oceancrest67]

I have been diving for about ten years now using mostly Oceanic equipment (first stage and second stage regulators)...all good products. I consider myself a conscientious diver and I do take my equipment in to get checked and serviced on a regular basis.

What troubles me...and what is pushing me to get further training (regulator breakdown and repair) is a slight mistrust of local dive shops and dive shop technicians. I once had to keep after an lds regarding the status of my regulators and when they would be ready for use (4 to 6 weeks?).

I am the kind of person that would rather do the work myself on my own time and dime...knowing my own level of conscientiousness and consideration when it comes to a detailed piece of equipment. What I see in dive shops is somewhat discouraging...too much of a party atmosphere...too much of a cavalier attitude...not good when it comes to building long term trust...not good when it comes to working with regulators.

Where can one receive industry standard training in regulator break down, repair, and service? I hear that one has to attend a proprietary seminar held once in a blue moon at some remote location. Do I simply contact the company and ask where, when and how much? What tool kits would I need etc?

Any advice / comments would be helpful.

Thank you.

 

[netmage]

I have been diving for about ten years now using mostly Oceanic equipment (first stage and second stage regulators)...all good products. I consider myself a conscientious diver and I do take my equipment in to get checked and serviced on a regular basis.

What troubles me...and what is pushing me to get further training (regulator breakdown and repair) is a slight mistrust of local dive shops and dive shop technicians. I once had to keep after an lds regarding the status of my regulators and when they would be ready for use (4 to 6 weeks?).

I am the kind of person that would rather do the work myself on my own time and dime...knowing my own level of conscientiousness and consideration when it comes to a detailed piece of equipment. What I see in dive shops is somewhat discouraging...too much of a party atmosphere...too much of a cavalier attitude...not good when it comes to building long term trust...not good when it comes to working with regulators.

Where can one receive industry standard training in regulator break down, repair, and service? I hear that one has to attend a proprietary seminar held once in a blue moon at some remote location. Do I simply contact the company and ask where, when and how much? What tool kits would I need etc?

Any advice / comments would be helpful.

Thank you.

Welcome to the fold..

For the most part these Reg. Clinics are held at trade shows by the manufacturers for their authorized dealers only. Access to overhaul kits are also somewhat limited - most dealers will not openly sell you the parts only. You can get parts a few places overseas.

A few resources are available for the curious & people who desire to know more about this life-support gear. Check out Airspeed Press (http://www.airspeedpress.com) and Peter Built Co.(http://www.scubatools.com) to start.

I've heard of one shop that offered basic reg teardown in their "Equipment Speciality" class - but they've not responded to my queries a few months ago. (http://www.esper.com/rheasdiving/equipmnt_t.html)

There are two or so "reg tech" independent schools/programs.
Here's the one I could find really quick - http://www.virginiascuba.com/technician.html

 

[oceancrest67]

Welcome to the fold..

For the most part these Reg. Clinics are held at trade shows by the manufacturers for their authorized dealers only. Access to overhaul kits are also somewhat limited - most dealers will not openly sell you the parts only. You can get parts a few places overseas.

A few resources are available for the curious & people who desire to know more about this life-support gear. Check out Airspeed Press (http://www.airspeedpress.com) and Peter Built Co.(http://www.scubatools.com) to start.

I've heard of one shop that offered basic reg teardown in their "Equipment Speciality" class - but they've not responded to my queries a few months ago. (http://www.esper.com/rheasdiving/equipmnt_t.html)

There are two or so "reg tech" independent schools/programs.
Here's the one I could find really quick - http://www.virginiascuba.com/technician.html

Thank you for the information. Another question...what national / international standards are there for scuba repair technicians and/or shops that hire 'technicians'? The Virginia Scuba link was informative...they seem to be quite serious.

 

[netmage]

Thank you for the information. Another question...what national / international standards are there for scuba repair technicians and/or shops that hire 'technicians'? The Virginia Scuba link was informative...they seem to be quite serious.

None. In the US there are national standards in the training arena. But the scuba equipt. side is largly unregulated. The US Navy provides some equipment creiteria - but that is mostly to get on their list of acceptable vendors I imagine. Nothing in the maintainence side that I'm aware of. Largly the government is hands-off when it comes to scuba diving and leaves it up to the industry to police itself.