Do you let dive ops wash your gear after a dive?

[Case]

This happened to me in Vanuatu earlier this year.

After a night dive we went back to the dive shop where a helper unloaded our gear from the boat, all our regs and B.C's were still attached to their tanks. Normally they would leave them on the grass for us to disassemble and wash. A ritual I really like.

But when we got off the boat one of their helpers had removed our gear and dunked it into the cleaning basin full of water. When I finally found my regs in there I noticed he hadn't closed my first stage. I knew this was bad, but didn't really know why.

So I ran around to the dive shop owner and told him what happened. He said it's fine because it's fresh water, just attach my regs to a tank and blast air through them. Which I did.

I did a bunch more dives with no problem on that trip after this happened.
That was over Easter, my next dive won't be until the Australian summer, probably November or later.

Is it worth getting my regs serviced after this has happened?

[CompuDude]

If the water was truly fresh (yours was the first rig in, and 6 salty BCs hadn't been rinsed in there before yours hit it), then it's probably ok.

Personally, I'd get it serviced just for peace of mind, especially since you have some downtime anyway.

[navyhmc]

Given that you are concerned, it might be a good idea to get them service if for no other reason than to give you piece of mind.

Worse case scenario:
While it was a fresh water dunk, there could still have been salt water that made it's way into your first stage and could have done a small amount of corosion that can be corrected with a service.

Best case scenario:

Your regs are ready to go for the entire summer and you have your serice completed.

[Travelnsj]

I have gotten into a habit after my tank is back on the boat I immediately blow out the rubber part of my 1st stage and connect it. Very seldom do I let my Reg and computer out of my possession when I leave the boat unless it is a lunch break and i have changed my tank.

[rayaa3]

last time I was in Coz I noticed that the dive OP I used is willing to let you leave gear on the boat, and they will have it on the boat you are on the next day - waiting for you. I pulled the DM to the side and asked him - "does the stuff really get a good rinsing" he quietly told me no, it doesn't. I suspect that when the shop rinses the gear it gets SOME rinsing but not necessarily a good job...consistently.

[bigman241]

I am doing my cert. In florida this jan i know a few people up here that dive they told me not to let my gear out of my sight before and after a dive with a dive shop. One guy told me a shop got his reg mixed up with another divers. When i get my gear it will not leave my sight.

[WaScubaDude]

Last dive in Coz we left our BC's & Regs with our trusted DM for ours and his day off diving. We decided at the last minute that we wanted to dive on the day off and ended up with another dive op and rental gear. My rented Dacor reg sucked, it was like breathing thru a straw at 80ft.
Never again. I will keep my gear with me, it's not that big of hassle and worth it to know where it is and how it is treated.

[Case]

It is dissapointing that it happened, such a good trip in all other aspects. I think I will get a service just in case, there was a lot of gear in that tub, it would have been pretty salty. Better to get a service and have nothing wrong than not to get one and have a problem underwater.

Lesson learned: No matter how good a dive op seems to be, don't let your gear out of your sight.

[Splitlip]

Hind sight being 20/20, you (or the shop) should have mounted the st stage, removed the HP hose and then blown it out.

Then service it for you. Salt water or fresh is not good when it is forced into your spg, which is the real problem here.

[Splitlip]

Oh, and in reply to OP, of course not.