Hoses

[DarinMartell]

Do the insides of hoses get old? I would think the rubber would break down and you would be breathing rubber dust. If it does get old how often should hoses be replaced?

[JahJahwarrior]

I wouldn't be concerned about the inside of the hoses, because the outside is going to be exposed to harsh conditions that would wear it out faster than the inside; such as, sunlight, salt water, abrasives (rocks), chemicals in garages, and buddies knives. If you notice that the outside of a hose is significantly worn then you might consider replacing them.

[MLenyo]

Originally Posted by DarinMartell

...I would think the rubber would break down and you would be breathing rubber dust...

ugh! that would be terrible!

[RonFrank]

Originally Posted by DarinMartell

Do the insides of hoses get old? I would think the rubber would break down and you would be breathing rubber dust. If it does get old how often should hoses be replaced?

When you have about 50 times the dives you have today, or when the outside starts to crack!

Seriously, the outside will go long before the inside....

[cheebaweebie]

Originally Posted by JahJahwarrior

I wouldn't be concerned about the inside of the hoses, because the outside is going to be exposed to harsh conditions that would wear it out faster than the inside; such as, sunlight, salt water, abrasives (rocks), chemicals in garages, and buddies knives. If you notice that the outside of a hose is significantly worn then you might consider replacing them.

I agree. I have never had to replace a hose. If your diving around rocks or wrecks etc... they you may consider a hose wrap of some sort. These will help against abraisons. If the inside of the hose was to weaken and going to burst, you better hope your not on a dive when it does. Never heard this happening but I guess it could.

[DarinMartell]

The reason I ask is because I bought a old reg set to play around with. When I took the hoses off the first stage and looked on the inside it looked dirty, I put a piece of white cotton in it and it came out dirty. Got me thinking on what I would be breathing if I was useing it

[fisheater]

In that case, I'd replace the hoses. You'll never know how well (or whether) the previous owner(s) protected the insides from intrusion of water, etc.

[mitsuguy]

luckily, the air that is in the tanks is extremely dry and clean (at least we hope so), and that, in itself keeps the hoses from wearing from the inside out...

is it possible, sure - everything breaks down over time...

but it's definitely not like an air hose at a car repair shop - they have a life span of about a year due to moisture and oil in the lines...

if they are visibly dirty inside, I'd replace them, never can be too safe...

[setesh]

I just took a few Q-tips out to the garage and swabbed around in some fuel line. One coil has been sitting on the top shelf of my workbench for about 3 years, the Q-tip came out dirty from this coil. Another coil has been in the bottom of my tool chest for about 3 years, the Q-tip came out with just a bit of dirt on it from this one.

It sounds to me like he didn't store those regs properly. You might have them checked out by a service shop before you use them. If he stored them in his garage who knows what could be in them?

[JahJahwarrior]

Hoses are cheap, replace them! If there are hose protectors on, tke them off and inspect underneath. I no longer use hose protectors after being shocked at one hose, which looked great, but was in pieces under the protector.

Might as well as this as a chance to get some DIR hoses....mostly, I'd suggest investing in a 7' primary hose. HUGE difference in ease of diving in my own experience, and all because a hose got old and I decided to replace it with something different