Mar 28, 2025

The Importance of Regular Scuba Gear Servicing

Scuba diving is an exhilarating and adventurous activity, but it also requires responsibility and attention to detail to ensure your safety and the longevity of your equipment. One of the most critical aspects of maintaining your gear is regular servicing.

Just as you would maintain your car to ensure it runs smoothly, your scuba diving equipment requires periodic checks and maintenance to function optimally. In this article, we’ll discuss why regular servicing is essential for all your diving gear, with a specific focus on your regulator, along with other important equipment like your BCD or wing, wetsuit, mask, and dive computer.

We will cover the following areas in this guide:

Regulators & Hoses
BCD's & Wings
Wetsuit or Drysuit
Mask, Snorkel, and Fins
Dive Computer
Cylinders & Valves
Quick Guide To Service Intervals for Your Scuba Gear

Regulators & Hoses

To ensure your regulator remains in top condition, most manufacturers recommend a full service every two years or after 200 dives, whichever comes first. If you dive less frequently, it’s still important to have a full service before diving, as equipment that’s been unused for a while may experience dried-out O-rings or seals, leading to leaks or malfunction.

In addition to the standard service schedule, here are key situations when servicing is crucial:

After Diving in Harsh Conditions: Extreme temperatures, high salt content, or significant debris can all accelerate wear on your regulator, making more frequent servicing necessary.
When You Notice Any Malfunction: Signs like unusual noises, leaks, or difficulty breathing are clear indicators that your regulator needs attention. Addressing issues promptly will prevent further damage.

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.

Regulator Hoses

While hoses may seem like a less significant component of your gear, they carry the air from your regulator to you, and any issues could lead to a dangerous situation underwater.

Recommended Servicing:

Inspect for Cracks or Wear: Regularly check your hoses for any cracks, abrasions, or signs of excessive wear. Damaged hoses should be replaced immediately.
Check Connections: Ensure that the hoses are securely attached to your regulator and BCD. Loose connections can lead to leaks and air loss.
Life Span: Hoses have a life span. If a date is stamped on the sleeve of the hose then the general life span is 5 years.
Annual Inspection: Have hoses inspected at least once a year by a certified technician to ensure no internal damage or degradation has occurred (this is undertaken by standard during a visual and / or full regulator service)

Buoyancy Control Device (BCD & Wings)

The BCD or Wing is essential for maintaining buoyancy control underwater. It helps you float, descend, and ascend safely. Since it's exposed to heavy use and water pressure, regular maintenance is necessary to ensure its safety features and functionality remain intact.

Recommended Servicing:

Annual Inspection: At least once a year, or after 100 dives, your BCD or Wing should be serviced. Inspect the inflator and deflator mechanisms for any issues.
Check for Leaks: Test for air leaks by inflating the BCD or Wing and ensuring it holds air pressure.
Check the Harness and Straps: Ensure that the straps are free of frays or wear that could affect safety.
Clean the BCD/Wing: After every dive, rinse it with fresh water to remove salt and debris. Do not leave it in direct sunlight when drying, as UV rays can degrade materials over time.

Wetsuit or Drysuit

Your wetsuit or drysuit protects you from cold water temperatures, prevents abrasions, and provides buoyancy. Proper care and servicing will ensure your suit continues to provide warmth and durability.

Recommended Servicing:

Post-Dive Care: After each dive, rinse your wetsuit or drysuit with fresh water to remove salt and chlorine. Hang the suit to dry in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight.
Annual Inspection: Check for any rips, tears, or worn-out seals. Repair any damage as soon as possible to prevent water ingress or loss of warmth.
Zipper Maintenance: Regularly lubricate the zippers with a silicone-based lubricant to ensure smooth operation.
Drysuit Valves: For drysuits, inspect the valves, seals, and inner liner for wear and tear. A yearly inspection ensures the valves still function properly.

Mask, Snorkel, and Fins

These essential accessories are used on every dive and should be well-maintained to ensure comfort and clear vision underwater.

Recommended Servicing:

Mask Care: Always rinse your mask with fresh water after each dive to prevent the build-up of salt or sand. Inspect the mask strap for wear and ensure the skirt is free from tears or cracks. Consider replacing the mask’s lens or strap if damaged.
Snorkel Care: Rinse your snorkel to remove salt or debris after every dive. Check for cracks in the tube or mouthpiece, and replace any damaged parts.
Fins Maintenance: Rinse fins thoroughly after every use, and check for cracks or wear in the foot pockets or blades. Inspect the straps and buckles to ensure they are secure and easy to adjust.

Dive Computer

A dive computer is your most trusted companion underwater, providing critical data about your depth, time, and decompression status. As such, it’s essential to ensure its accuracy and performance.

Recommended Servicing:

Battery Check: Depending on the model, you may need to change the battery in your dive computer every 2-3 years. Always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines for when to replace the battery.
Sensor Calibration: Annual servicing includes calibration of sensors to ensure accurate readings of depth, temperature, and dive time.
Screen and Buttons: Inspect the screen for any cracks or damage, and ensure all buttons are functioning properly.
Software Updates: Check for software updates, as some dive computers require regular updates to improve performance or add new features.

Tank and Valves

Your tank holds the air you breathe underwater, and its valve controls the release of that air. Proper servicing of your tank is essential for safety.

Recommended Servicing:

Hydrostatic Testing: Tanks should be hydrostatically tested every 5 years to ensure there are no signs of corrosion or damage that could cause a rupture.
Visual Inspection: Tanks should be visually inspected annually by a certified technician to check for damage, rust, or debris build-up.
Valve Servicing: The valve should be checked every year for any signs of malfunction, corrosion, or leaks.

Quick Guide Service Intervals for Your Scuba Gear

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.

BCDs & Wings:

Every Year: Internal & External Clean, Inflator Service & Dump Valve Check

Dive Computers:

Every Year or 200 Dives: Replace Battery, O-Rings and seals.

Regular servicing of all your scuba diving gear is crucial for ensuring your safety, reliability, and overall diving experience. By maintaining your regulator, BCD or wing, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, dive computer, hoses, and tanks, you can prevent unexpected failures, extend the lifespan of your equipment, and dive with peace of mind knowing everything is in top working order.

Remember, your gear is your lifeline underwater, and ensuring it's well-maintained is essential for safe and enjoyable diving. Always adhere to manufacturer recommendations and get professional servicing when needed.

By staying on top of your equipment’s maintenance, you can focus on enjoying your dives and exploring the wonders of the underwater world without worry.

Scuba Diving Regulators - Everything You Need to Know: Understanding regulators also helps in maintaining them properly, ensuring longevity and reliability. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear grasp of how regulators function, what features to look for, and how to choose the best one based on your diving needs. Let’s dive into the details.
Essential Tips for Post Dive Care of Your Regulator
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.