| Your scuba diving regulator is a crucial piece of dive | | | | that may have attached to your equipment. Do this |
| gear. After all, without it we wouldn't be diving. And | | | | while the regulator is underwater. However, make |
| who can imagine life without diving? | | | | sure you do not push the purge button. This will let |
| Since it is such an important piece of equipment, we | | | | water into the second stage which could travel up to |
| need to take care of it properly. Luckily, it is not hard | | | | the first stage. Something you do not want to |
| to take good care of your regulator. So no excuses. | | | | happen. |
| Just follow the scuba regulator maintenance tips | | | | - Finish With a Stream of Water While you will |
| below and you should be breathing nice and easy | | | | probably get most of the debris out of the regulator |
| underwater for years to come. | | | | with the above steps, if you get a chance, run a |
| Steps for Scuba Regulator Care | | | | stream of water through the first and second stages |
| - Dry Dustcap and Seal Properly If you are going to | | | | (again, with the dust cap securely in place and |
| be rinsing your regulator while it is off the tank, you | | | | without pushing the purge button). This should get rid |
| need to make sure no water gets in the second | | | | of any remaining particles in the chambers and other |
| stage. First, ensure that the dustcap is dry. One way | | | | openings. |
| to do this is to blow the water off with air from the | | | | - Dry the Regulator Before you store it, let the |
| tank. Alternatively, you can use a towel to dry the | | | | regulator dry thoroughly. Do not dry in the direct |
| surface of the dustcap. Then securely fasten the | | | | sunlight as it can affect any rubber parts. |
| dustcap on the opening. Make sure you have a | | | | - Store Properly Store the regulator in a cool, dry |
| proper seal because you do not want any water to | | | | spot. Store away from sunlight and fumes. Position |
| get in the first stage of the regulator. | | | | the regulator in such a way that the hoses are not |
| - Soak the Regulator If you only do one thing in your | | | | kinked. |
| scuba regulator care routine, make it be this step.This | | | | - Get Annual Scuba Regulator Service Most scuba |
| is an important step and will get rid of any deposits | | | | regulator manufacturers require the regulator to be |
| that may be on your regulator. Swoosh the regulator | | | | serviced annually in order to remain under warranty. |
| around a bit to get rid of any loose particles. Dive | | | | Check the terms on your regulator. While this step |
| shops usually have a rinse tank that you can use | | | | has been subject to debate, it is probably the safest |
| after a dive to rinse your gear. If you are not at a | | | | thing to do. |
| shop, rinse your regulator as soon as you get a | | | | Hopefully you will agree with me that scuba diving |
| chance. | | | | regulator maintenance is pretty easy. Just follow this |
| - Move the Levers (but not the purge!) Work any | | | | guide and you should have many great and safe |
| levers/buttons back and forth to loosen anything | | | | dives ahead of you. |