Mar 21, 2025

Essential Tips for Post Dive Care of Your Regulator

It’s easy to take our regulators for granted, but they require just as much attention post-dive as they do during your scuba adventure. Consider the environment you’re diving in – whether it’s a sandy beach, a pebbly shore, or a rocky terrain – your regulator is exposed to dirt, saltwater, sand, and various other contaminants. Without proper care, these elements can quickly cause corrosion, damage delicate components, and compromise the performance of your regulator.

A key point to remember: Don’t drag your regulator across the ground! It may sound obvious, but when diving near shorelines, it's tempting to place your gear on the ground or drag it along. In reality, doing so exposes it to grit, sand, and debris that could compromise its integrity. It's essential to treat your regulator with care, which includes handling it correctly when entering or exiting the water. For example, securing the regulator with a dive bag or placing it in a clean, elevated area can help minimize exposure to harmful elements.

When regulators are mishandled, it can lead to significant damage. A service technician may face a nightmare scenario if the regulator is dragged along the ground, as it can create a mess on their service bench that might require extensive cleaning and repairs. Treating your gear with respect from the start helps avoid these costly mistakes.

In the rest of this guide we will cover the following:

Cleaning Your Regulator After Use
Drying, Storing, and Maintaining Your Regulator
Long-Term Storage and the Importance of Regular Use
Servicing Your Regulator: When and Why It’s Crucial
Common Regulator Issues and How to Troubleshoot Them

Cleaning Your Regulator After Use

Cleaning your regulator is a straightforward process, but it’s essential to do it properly to avoid damage. After every dive, fresh water should be used to rinse off your regulator and remove salt, sand, and other debris. However, cleaning the regulator requires a careful, methodical approach. The most important rule is: avoid getting water into the first stage of the regulator.

Here’s a detailed cleaning process:

Secure The Dust Cap: Before rinsing your regulator, always make sure that the dust cap is properly in place. This cap helps to protect the first stage from contaminants, but it must be dry before being put back in place. To ensure no moisture is trapped inside, you can gently blow out the dust cap using compressed air from your cylinder. However, make sure to do so safely and avoid blasting air at high pressure, as it could harm nearby individuals. A towel can also be used to dry the dust cap.
Rinsing the Regulator: Rinse the regulator using fresh water from a hose, dunk tank, or under a tap. The critical part of this process is to ensure that water does not enter the first stage. To avoid this, you should never submerge the first stage in water – a simple rinse under running water is sufficient. If you must dunk it, ensure that the first stage is attached to a pressurized cylinder to avoid any water seepage.
Avoid Purging the Second Stage: Avoid pressing the purge button on the primary second stage or the octopus during cleaning. Doing so could introduce water into the first stage, which could lead to internal damage. Also, inspect the hoses and regulators for any signs of wear, and rinse underneath hose protectors, which may harbour sand or grit.
Removing Salt and Sand: After rinsing, ensure you address the low-pressure inflator connector. Salt and sand can build up in this area and, over time, can lead to corrosion. Take extra care when cleaning these parts to ensure your regulator remains functional.

By taking care to follow these steps after every dive, you prevent the build-up of contaminants and ensure that your regulator stays in peak condition.

Aqua Lung’s ACD Regulator System: A Smarter Design for Protection

Aqua Lung's Auto Closure Device (ACD) system is a game-changer for divers who want added protection for their regulators. The ACD is designed to keep your regulator’s first stage sealed when it’s removed from the cylinder valve, thereby preventing water and contaminants from entering the regulator. This feature is particularly useful during rinsing and storage, ensuring that your regulator remains dry and protected at all times.

When using a regulator with the ACD system, the inlet fitting of the first stage automatically seals when disconnected from the cylinder. This reduces the risk of contaminants such as dirt, saltwater, or moisture entering the system, which could damage sensitive components. Additionally, because the first stage remains sealed when not in use, you don’t have to worry about drying it as thoroughly or managing moisture build-up.

Want to dive deeper into the benefits of the ACD system? Visit our blog for a comprehensive guide on how Aqua Lung’s Auto Closure Device works and why it’s an essential feature for serious divers.

Drying, Storing, and Maintaining Your Regulator

Once your regulator is cleaned, the next critical step is drying and storing it properly to ensure longevity. Incorrect storage can lead to damage from heat, ozone, or sunlight. To prevent this, allow your regulator to dry naturally in a cool, shaded area.

Avoid Direct Sunlight: Storing your regulator in direct sunlight can cause the rubber and plastic parts to degrade more quickly. Opt for a shaded, dry area to let the regulator air dry.
Adjustable Models: If your regulator has an inhalation control knob, be sure to turn it fully counter-clockwise. This helps relieve pressure on the low-pressure seat and prevents unnecessary stress on the components, which extends their lifespan.
Proper Storage: Once dry, store the regulator in a clean, dry box or plastic bag. Avoid exposing it to extreme heat, ozone, or ultraviolet light, as these can break down rubber and plastic materials over time.
Hoses: Store your regulator hoses as straight as possible. If you have the space, use a shelf where the hoses can lay flat to avoid creating stress points that could lead to cracks or damage. Avoid hanging the regulator from the first stage, as this can cause bending at the hose joints, leading to cracks and leaks.

By following these steps, you can prolong the life of your regulator and prevent common issues caused by poor storage practices.

Long-Term Storage and the Importance of Regular Use

If you store your regulator for extended periods—particularly six months or more—components like O-rings and seals can harden, leading to brittle parts that may need replacement. These parts are designed to be flexible and form an effective seal when the regulator is in use. However, without regular use, they lose this flexibility and begin to crack or dry out.

To maintain your regulator in the best condition possible, try to use it at least once a month, even if it's just for a short dive or a visual inspection. If it has been stored for more than six months, consider having it serviced or tested before taking it into the water again.

Regular use helps keep internal parts in good working order and ensures everything is functioning smoothly when you need it most. If your regulator hasn’t been used for a long period, consider taking it for a professional service to check its integrity and performance.

Servicing Your Regulator: When and Why It’s Crucial

Regular servicing is the key to ensuring that your regulator remains safe and effective, especially after long periods of storage or heavy usage. Most manufacturers recommend having your regulator fully serviced every 2 years or after 200 dives. Even if you don't dive that often, a visual inspection should be done in the "off years" to make sure no damage has occurred.

Here's a typical service schedule for regulators:

1st Year: Visual Inspection (Check for any damage or wear)
2nd Year: Full Service (All components are checked, cleaned, and replaced as necessary)
3rd Year: Visual Inspection (Again, a check for wear and tear)
Repeat every two years with a visual inspection in between.

Remember, never dive on a regulator if you don’t trust it to perform flawlessly, especially in emergency situations, such as an unanticipated out-of-air emergency. Your regulator is your lifeline, and ensuring it's in perfect working order is vital to your safety.

Common Regulator Issues and How to Troubleshoot Them

Regulators are generally quiet when in use, but some unusual noises could indicate problems.

A constant whistling sound, for instance, could point to an issue with the diaphragm or a faulty valve.
A crackling noise could indicate a problem with the exhaust valve or the O-ring.

If your regulator begins to make strange noises, it’s crucial to troubleshoot the problem before going on your next dive.

Testing Your Regulator

Always test your regulator in a controlled environment, such as a pool, before taking it into open water. This ensures it’s functioning correctly and safely.

If your regulator starts malfunctioning, consult a professional technician for repairs. Never try to service or repair your regulator yourself unless you are a trained technician.

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