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Regulator Care

Scuba Diving Regulators

It is important to provide the proper preventative maintenance in order to ensure the best possible performance and maximum life of your Scuba Regulators.

How To Clean Regulators After A Dive

The following maintenance procedures should be performed routinely after each use to ensure that your dive regulator is cleaned, inspected, and prepared for the next use or for storage.

  1. Whenever the regulator is removed from the cylinder valve, it is important to wipe or blow the dust cap completely dry, and then fasten it securely over the first stage inlet fitting. This is critical to prevent the entrance of moisture into the first stage.
  2. As soon as possible after diving, the regulator should be rinsed thoroughly with fresh water while it is attached to a cylinder and pressurised with air.
  3. Rinsing alone, however, will not sufficiently clean the regulator. To clean the regulator as thoroughly as possible, it is necessary to soak it in warm, not over 49°C (120°F), tap water for at least one hour.
    • The preferred method is to attach the regulator to a charged scuba cylinder, open the cylinder valve to pressurise the regulator, and thoroughly soak both the first and second stages. Pressurising the regulator will effectively prevent the entrance of moisture and/or contaminants into the regulator while it soaks.
    • If it is not feasible to soak the regulator while it is attached to a cylinder, it may be soaked unpressurised — provided that the dust cap is securely sealed over the inlet, and the second stage purge buttons are not depressed while the regulator is submerged or wet.
      NOTE: When soaking or rinsing an adjustable model regulator unpressurised, check to ensure that the second stage inhalation control knob is turned completely "in"(clockwise) to prevent moisture from entering the valve and LP hose.
      CAUTION: DO NOT loosen the first stage yoke screw, depress the second stage purge button, or turn out the inhalation control knob (if present) if the regulator is submerged unpressurised. Doing so will allow the entrance of moisture, and will require that the regulator be returned for a full service.
  4. While the regulator is soaking, move the IVS control switch (if present) back and forth several times from the "MIN" to the "MAX" settings. You may also turn the inhalation control knob slightly back and forth — no more than a quarter turn. This action will help to loosen any salt or mineral deposits that may remain lodged in the second stage.
  5. After the regulator has been properly soaked, it is important to rinse it vigorously by flushing the first stage ambient chamber (non-environmentally sealed models only), the second stage mouthpiece, and the openings in the second stage front cover with a pressurised stream of water. This will remove any deposits of salt and minerals that were loosened during soaking. If the regulator is not pressurised, do not press the purge button underwater. Moisture may otherwise enter the valves, which will require that the regulator be returned for a full service.
  6. Wipe the regulator as dry as possible and hang by the first stage to ensure that all remaining moisture drains from the second stages.
  7. Adjustable models should be stored with the inhalation control knob turned all the way out (counter-clockwise), away from the regulator body. This will help to extend the life of the low pressure seat.
  8. When the regulator is completely dry, store it in a clean box or sealed inside a plastic bag. Do not store it where it may be exposed to extreme heat or an electric motor which produces ozone. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat, ozone, chlorine, and ultraviolet rays can cause premature degradation of rubber parts and components.
  9. Never store the regulator while it is connected to the cylinder valve.
  10. Do not use any type of solvent or petroleum based substances to clean or lubricate any part of the regulator. Do not expose any part of the regulator to aerosol spray, as some aerosol propellants attack or degrade rubber and plastic materials.

Regulator Bag

We recommend the use of a good regulator bag when storing your precious regulator set and traveling with them, so as to protect them from impact and shock.

The Scuba Doctor 5mm Neoprene Regulator Bag (Plastic Zip) The Scuba Doctor 5mm Neoprene Regulator Bag (Plastic Zip)
RRP: $59, Our Price: $55, You Save $4 (7%).
This regulator bag is large enough to hold your regulator, gauges and an octopus. It's a fully padded safe place for the gear you depend-on in deep dark places.

Cressi 360° Plus Regulator Bag Cressi 360° Plus Regulator Bag
RRP: $69, Our Price: $65, You Save $4 (6%).
This comfortable padded bag is large enough to hold your regulators, gauges, and an octopus.

If you have any specific enquiry about how to care for your dive gear, please feel free to contact The Scuba Doctor by email to diveshop@scubadoctor.com.au or by a telephone call to 03 5985 1700.

How to Store Your Regulators

Looking after your regulators is important so that they last as long as possible and there are a few helpful tips and tricks to storing them when you're not diving with them that can really extend their lifespan.

Wash Them Thoroughly

During your dives contaminants like salt and algae can work their way into the small crevices of your regulators and when they dry can discolour and damage parts of your regulators. It's very important that you wash every part of your regulator with warm fresh water and a small amount of detergent to remove these contaminants before storage.

The best way to wash your regulators is with them attached to a pressurised cylinder so that water cannot enter the hoses or 1st stage. If a cylinder is not available then place your thumb over the inlet on your 1st stage, the dust cap will not be enough to create a watertight seal. Wash your regulators thoroughly, paying particular attention to the inside of the 2nd stages, small crevices and hoses but do not push the purge button as this will allow water to get inside the hoses that can damage your regulators.

Keep Them Dry

It's very important to keep your regulators dry on the inside and outside when storing them. Your regulators obviously get wet during a dive and while you wash them but you need to let them dry thoroughly but not in direct sunlight as this can cause parts to discolour and deteriorate at a faster rate.

Towel dry your regulators at first and then air dry them, making sure that any water collected inside the 2nd stages is drained. Silica packets you receive with certain goods are handy to keep around your regulators when storing them as they absorb moisture so your regs stay dry and fresh.

Keep Them Flat

The hoses on your regulator are best kept as straight as possible to they don't develop any stress points or crack over time. Their bag is not always the best place to store them. If you have space, then a long shelf where the hoses can lay flat is the best way to store your regulators. Hanging your regulators from the 1st stage can bend the hoses at the joints so they crack over time so be sure to check your hoses, especially under hose protectors, after long periods of storage.

Keep Them in the Dark

Regulators are best kept in a cool, dark cupboard where sunlight, high or low temperatures and atmospheric agents cannot affect your regulators as readily. Sunlight can affect the materials that comprise your regulators so they discolour and deteriorate so they become brittle or crack so it's best to keep your regulators out of the light. High and low temperatures cause parts to expand and contract and deteriorate so it's best to keep your regulators as cool as possible with no extremes of temperature. Gases, chemicals and aerosols can deteriorate parts of your regulators so try to avoid garages and garden sheds where chemicals are kept.

Don't Store Them for Long

Over long periods of storage, 6+ months, parts inside your regulator can perish and need replacing. O-Rings and other sealing parts are made to be soft to create an effective seal but if not used they will become harder and brittle. Try to use your regulators once a month or so to keep the parts moving freely and get your regulators tested or serviced if they've been in storage for 6 months or more.

Take The Pressure Off

Some regulators feature a storage function on the 2nd stages that takes the pressure off the sealing surface. Over time the spring pushing the sealing poppet into the soft sealing seat can cause the seat to bed in and allow gas to creep past. Taking the pressure off the spring can help lengthen the time it takes for the seat to bed in.

If your regulator does not feature a storage function then the best thing you can do is to unscrew any breathing adjustment knob as much as possible, without using tools or disassembling your regulator, on your 2nd stage so it is as light as possible as this will reduce the pressure on the seat.

Annual Scuba Regulator Overhaul

Together with most manufacturers, Scuba Doctor Service and Repairs recommends that you have your scuba regulators overhauled every year or every 40 dives, whichever comes first. For more information about this, please see Regulator Servicing.

We suggest you consider the following rule of thumb: Never dive your regulator if you don’t trust it to perform flawlessly, even in an unanticipated out-of-air emergency where a much greater demand is placed on it. If you don’t believe it is in this condition, have it serviced.

Observations On Regulator Care and Servicing

  • Regulators do not generally make dangerous noises, but they can make annoying ones. Such noises can be eliminated, but sometimes incantations or some chicken blood is involved.
  • No matter who does your service, always test your regulator before going on a dive trip.
  • Tropical divemasters are not always competent service technicians, especially if they're carrying vice grips.
  • There is generally a direct correlation between how quickly you want your regulator serviced and how badly the service is needed.
  • Just because you bought it "New – in the box" on eBay doesn't mean it isn't 20 years old and service parts haven't been available for 10 years. "New" describes the condition, not the age.

Need a new dive regulator? Take a look at the new regulator sets we have available in our dive shop.

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The Scuba Doctor Australia
Boon Wurrung Country
1/49 Peninsula Ave
Rye Victoria 3941, Australia
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E diveshop@scubadoctor.com.au
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