Reg inspection

[maverick]

How can U tell if a dive shop inspected and overhauled your reg. U give them your reg. 4 overhauling and inspection in working condition how can one tell if the dive shop did their job over hauling and inspection. I read a post here and someone gave a dive shop their reg 2 get taken care of and it almost wound up costing. Is their any quality control, or U just take the dive shop word that your reg. has been properly inspected and overhauled?

[mitsuguy]

You could always learn to do it yourself... if you are any sort of mechanically inclined, it's rather straight forward...

other than that, really, if you give it to them one day, and pick it up another, I don't see how it would be possible to tell, assuming the reg was working one day, and it works after service (an annual rebuild is really more about preventive maintenance than repair)...

[fireflock]

Ask for the old parts back. Many places give them back, even if you don't ask.

Unless you know something about reg troubleshooting (which isn't hard to learn), it does come down to a matter of trust. If you don't trust the place you use now, find a new place.

Some shops will also include a printout (or a sheet with handwritten numbers penciled in) with the results of a bench test.

[awap]

This link will help you inspect your own regs: Regulator checklist and inspection - ScubaBoard

If your reg can pass a good self-inspection it should be good for some more diving. Won't tell you what your shop did, but at least you will know it is not an accident waiting to happen.

[DMWiz]

Originally Posted by fireflock

Ask for the old parts back. Many places give them back, even if you don't ask.

That's exactly what you should do, most new regs. include free parts for the life of the reg. and all you're paying for is the labor so they should replace everything that comes with the annual service kit even if there's nothing wrong with your reg. Ask them to put the old parts in the bag for the new kit.

Or ask if you can watch while they do it if they are not busy.

[dannybot]

Scuba Toys gives a "report card" when they send you reg back!

[awap]

I have heard claims that some mfgrs require old parts to be returned when the parts are provided at no cost. Plus how many divers would recognize the old parts from their regulator as opposed to the old parts from some other regulator including parts that might even be for a different model. The return of old parts is a start. But if you want to protect yourself from shoddy work, learn all you can about your gear include how to do a thorough inspection.

If you have to get someone else to check your tire pressure and air up your tires, then just get used to the dependency and keep your fingers crossed.