Servicing Regulators

[Sludge]

It's a Snap-On bag.

[midway]

One of the things I've learned over the years is the difference between somebody who has basic competence at something and somebody who is truly expert, with the knowledge, skills, and judgment that comes from long experience. It's the latter guy that I want working on my caving regs. So I don't do them myself, and I don't have them done by a part-timer college kid at the LDS who learned how to rebuild regs six months ago and is still working toward his first dozen.
Mike

Since you've found a reliable technician to service your regs, that's a good. But your comment also shows a general misconception: that servicing regs require advanced competence, especially so since they are life support equipment. Serving regs is VERY straightforward. If you're good at DIY, you will find that regs are simple devices. If you had easy access to parts -- you will break a turret or two, mess up an HP seat causing IP creep and all you need is a new HP seat (not a whole new kit), extra shims, etc. -- it's as easy as can be. It'll just take 3-4 times longer per reg than a competent technician. Since you're not servicing a ton of them in a month, it's not a big deal. Also, keep in mind: your competent service technician may be going through stressful times (say divorce proceedings) and be distracted when he/she services your regs. Forgets to replace a worn dynamic o-ring, causing a leak while you're at turnaround pressure. If you service your own regs, you can also be distracted, for the same reasons. But it's clear who has the greater incentive not to err.

[ams511]

The most expensive second stage parts kit I know of is $19 retail. Most second stage kits are around $6.

I am sorry but I meant to say $30 for a first and $20 for a second. What second stage kits cost $6? The Hog and Dive Rite kits cost more than that.

[ams511]

Oh, and I have over a thousand dollars' worth of regulator repair tools.

I am sure you do but you are a professional technician, are you not? How many tools are absolutely needed versus how many tools are needed to save time?

I did look at your bag of tools and many of them are specific to different regulators. For example the scuba tools scubapro tool. If a diver standardizes on a specific first stage and second stage then the specialized tools and parts become manageable. Also unless you buying crap off eBay your regulators should not be corroded to point of needing a hammer.

[ams511]

I don't want to go into a cave and have to think about the service I just did. Tapatalk

After a service you should not make challenging dives, most problems happen after a service and most service is done by "professionals". I don't mean any disrespect to Sludge and others that are actually professionals but most so-called "professionals" have only taken a half-day course whose only prerequisite is that a dive shop sponsors you. What magic makes a dive master or instructor candidate mechanically-inclined and able to fix regulators?

[Sludge]

What second stage kits cost $6? The Hog and Dive Rite kits cost more than that.

Most unbalanced second stage kits.

most so-called "professionals" have only taken a half-day course whose only prerequisite is that a dive shop sponsors you.

To be a Scubapro Tech I had to apprentice with a technician until I felt comfortable with regs. Then I went to a two-day, sixteen hour course that had an exit exam. Then I had to build thirty systems under the supervision of a Scubapro Pro-Tech. THEN I took another exam and I was certified.

[ams511]

Most unbalanced second stage kits.

You can punch seats for a few cents and the o-rings will cost you another few cents. (or flip the seat and reuse the static o-rings). However, don't most cave divers use balanced second stages?

To be a Scubapro Tech I had to apprentice with a technician until I felt comfortable with regs. Then I went to a two-day, sixteen hour course that had an exit exam. Then I had to build thirty systems under the supervision of a Scubapro Pro-Tech. THEN I took another exam and I was certified.

Is your training typical of the industry or not? Does a SP dealer need to use a certified-tech to purchase parts and do warranty work? Don't manufactures also give short courses at Dema?

[Sludge]

Is your training typical of the industry or not?

It's typical for Scubapro, but none of the other ones that "certified me" were anywhere near as elaborate. Usually they just saw that I was a Scubapro Pro-Tech and watched me disassemble/assemble one reg and gave me the diploma.

Does a SP dealer need to use a certified-tech to purchase parts and do warranty work?

They're supposed to.

[ams511]

It's typical for Scubapro, but none of the other ones that "certified me" were anywhere near as elaborate. Usually they just saw that I was a Scubapro Pro-Tech and watched me disassemble/assemble one reg and gave me the diploma.

When you pass the training do they issue you a certification number?

[Sludge]

When you pass the training do they issue you a certification number?

I don't know if I've ever been given a certification number. I've never even seen my certificates because they get mailed to the shop...