Importance of Servicing Dive Equipment
Lori Sauer Jun 30, 2023
Diving is an amazing sport that allows you to explore the underwater world and discover its beauty and diversity. But diving also requires proper equipment and maintenance to ensure your safety and enjoyment. In this blog post, I will share with you some tips on why and how to service your diving equipment regularly.
Why service your diving equipment?
Your diving equipment is your lifeline when you are underwater. It provides you with air, buoyancy, protection, and comfort. If your equipment fails or malfunctions, it can put you in danger or ruin your dive. That's why it is essential to service your diving equipment regularly and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Servicing your diving equipment means checking, cleaning, repairing, and replacing any parts that are worn out, damaged, or expired. Servicing also ensures that your equipment meets the performance standards and safety regulations of the industry. Servicing your diving equipment can:
- Extend the lifespan of your equipment and save you money in the long run
- Improve the functionality and reliability of your equipment and reduce the risk of failure
- Enhance the comfort and fit of your equipment and prevent leaks, chafing, or discomfort
- Preserve the warranty and insurance coverage of your equipment and avoid voiding them
- Protect the environment and prevent pollution or damage to marine life
How to service your diving equipment?
The frequency and type of service required for your diving equipment depend on several factors, such as:
- The manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
- The age and condition of your equipment
- The frequency and intensity of your dives
- The environment and water conditions of your dives
- The storage and transportation of your equipment
As a general rule, you should service your diving equipment at least once a year or after every 100 dives, whichever comes first. You should also service your equipment before and after a long trip or a dive season. Some parts of your equipment may need more frequent service, such as:
- Your regulator: This is the most important part of your diving equipment, as it delivers air to you from your tank. You should have your regulator serviced by a certified technician every year or every 50 dives, whichever comes first. You should also rinse your regulator with fresh water after every dive and store it in a dry and cool place.
- Your buoyancy control device (BCD): This is the part of your diving equipment that helps you control your depth and position underwater. You should have your BCD serviced by a certified technician every year or every 100 dives, whichever comes first. You should also rinse your BCD with fresh water after every dive and inflate it partially before storing it in a dry and cool place.
- Your dive computer: This is the part of your diving equipment that monitors your depth, time, pressure, temperature, and decompression status. You should have your dive computer serviced by a certified technician every year or every 200 dives, whichever comes first. You should also replace the battery when it is low or expired and store it in a dry and cool place.
- Your mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, boots, gloves, etc.: These are the parts of your diving equipment that provide you with vision, propulsion, protection, and comfort underwater. You should rinse them with fresh water after every dive and check them for any signs of wear or tear. You should also store them in a dry and cool place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
Servicing your diving equipment is not only a matter of convenience but also a matter of responsibility. By servicing your diving equipment regularly, you can ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable diving experience every time. So don't wait until something goes wrong - service your diving equipment today!