BSAC

• Homepage
• Joining BSAC
• Member Services
• Diving Resources
• Diving Safety
  • Introduction
  • Safe Diving
  • Safety Talk
  • Safety Talk 2008
  • Safety Talk 2007
  • Equipment Servicing
  • Buoyancy Control
  • Personal Responsibility
  • Insurance Cover
  • Sea Safety Guide
  • Enough Gas?
  • Rebreather Safety
  • Incident Reporting
  • Snorkelling
  • Responsibility
  • Right Gas
  • Keeping a Log
  • Safety Talk 2006
  • Boat Safety Guide
  • Safety First Programme
  • Diving Incidents
• Branch Resources
• Training
• BSAC People
• BSAC News Centre
• Events
• BSAC Shop

BSAC Talk - Equipment Servicing

 

EQUIPMENT CARE

This time of the year sees most UK divers falling into two groups, those that hang up their kit until the warmer weather arrives, and those of us that dive right through the winter no matter what it throws at us.  Which ever group you fall into, looking after you equipment is vital.

 

Storing Equipment

If you are a diver that finds no appeal in diving in cold conditions and you put away your kit until the sun has a bit of warmth in it, think about how you store your equipment.  If you have not washed off and completely dried all that expensive equipment you could be asking for trouble later.  Water ingress into a regulator or BCD can have disastrous effects if those items are then stored in a cold garage where temperatures can drop below freezing, the mineral deposits from the previous seasons diving can harden off and in some cases eat into the soft metal of a regulator.  Make sure your equipment is completely dry and store it in a warm dry place, better still have your equipment fully serviced before putting it away for a while, it will then be cleaned and lubricated ready for the next seasons diving.

 

Winter Diving

For those of us that dive all year round, many of us in the fresh water lakes and quarries, this is also a tough time for your kit.  Looking at the 2006 incident reports, all of the reported incidents in the equipment category for February and March involve a free flow, frequently whilst filling a DSMB or lift bag.  Many use this time to develop their diving skills, and many of us teach those skills, but purging your Alternative Source into a DSMB or lift bag will almost inevitably result in a free flow if your equipment if not ready for the cold water challenge.  Last seasons deposits on the internal parts of a regulator, combined with cold stiff ‘O’ rings and seals, thickening lubricants, and the cold water can all lead to regulator malfunction.  The best option would be to get your equipment serviced before subjecting it to this kind of torture, not just your regulator but BCD and suit inflators also require cleaning and lubricating.

 

Post Servicing checks

Many divers tell me that they don’t have their equipment serviced as often as they should because they often have problems when it is returned, they wait until it starts playing up before getting anything done.  This does happen, even when the work is done by the manufacturer - importer, it is a sad fact that not all servicing is carried out correctly, in the main it is just the setting up of the regulator that’s a problem.  My suggestion would be check out all equipment you have just had serviced either in a pool or shallow sheltered site before subjecting it to more gruelling conditions and certainly before going on holiday.

 

A further bonus about getting your kit serviced at this time of the year is that you will miss the pre-season rush, and you may even get a reduction in the price.

 

 

Pete Church

NDC ITS Staff Development officer

Return to top

Page last modified: 31st Jan 2008 - 15:21:52