Regulators

Scuba Regulators Service Care

After each use, rinse your scuba regulator with rest of your equipment.

While it is still attached to your scuba cylinder, it is often better to soak it, and then rinse it with clean running water.

If you rinse it after removal from the tank, keep these important points in mind.

  1. Put the first stage dust cap firmly in place to keep water out of the first stage
  2. Do not use high pressure water to rinse your regulator - only gently flowing water
  3. Don't press the purge button while rinsing or soaking, because this opens the second stage inlet valve, which can allow water to flow up inside the hose to the first stage

Flush Regulators with Fresh Water

You may prefer to rinse your regulator while attached to the cylinder with the valve open. By doing this, there is no way that water will accidentally enter the valve and the first stage.

Rinse thoroughly by flushing fresh water through any holes in the first stage (except the high-pressure inlet covered by the dust cap) and through the second stage mouthpieces.

Keep the first stage higher than the second stage to minimize the possibility that water will flow up the hose to it. It is advisable to attach the regulator to the scuba cylinder after rinsing and briefly purge once more to blow out any water that may have entered the first stage accidentally.

Keep your regulator free of sand, mud, and debris. To prevent damage to the hoses when storing or packing, allow the hoses to form large gentle curves rather than tight loops.

Do not use hoses to pull or handle your scuba unit. It is generally better to store your regulators laying flat than hang it by one of the stages or hoses.

Your regulators require periodic lubrication, inspection, and adjustment to assure that it operates reliably. Therefore, an important part of regulator maintenance includes professional servicing at least once a year or sooner if it begins to breathe hard or leak.

The manufacturer's specifications may also recommend more frequent servicing of your regulator. With proper maintenance and annual servicing, your regulator should provide you with many years of dependable service.

Scuba Gear Maintenance |> Overview |> PADI Equipment Specialist |> Balanced and Unbalanced Regulators |

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