Servicing...

[awap]

Originally Posted by reservecops

Besides ... if your engine blows up because you waited too long to change the oil, you're not going to drown and die. Generally, you have plenty of time to fix the problem with the car - not so with your regulator.

But then again, if you NEVER want to have your regs serviced, KNOCK YOURSELF OUT!

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<DIV>Perhaps you could tell us more about the possible regulator failure modes one could experience as a result of extending the service interval. </DIV>
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<DIV>What do you think might happen to your regulator that could reasonably be expected to result in death?</DIV>
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<DIV>Overall, do you believe that servicing a regulator results in increased or decreased reliability for the next dive?</DIV>

[reservecops]

Originally Posted by awap

<div>Perhaps you could tell us more about the possible regulator failure modes one could experience as a result of extending the service interval. </div>

The purpose of (preemptive) preventative maintenace of ANY product is for a knowledgable and experienced technician to locate any potential problems BEFORE they occur, such as seeing the condition of a part of the assembly deteriorating much more quickly than is typically expected, or to notice a part that was perhaps damaged by mishandling, unbeknownst to the owner of the product.

Then again, if you want to wait for your oil light to start flashing and the smoke to start billowing out of your exhaust BEFORE having your oil changed, that's your decision.

<div>What do you think might happen to your regulator that could reasonably be expected to result in death?</div>

I already did, three posts above. Perhaps if you had read the entire thread before treating us to your wit and wisdom, you would have noticed ...

<div>Overall, do you believe that servicing a regulator results in increased or decreased reliability for the next dive?</div>

That would largely depend upon the knowledge, skill level, and actions of the technician who performed the servicing.

If a qualified tech did the work, I'd say 'increased' reliability.

If some moron did the work, I'd say 'decreased' reliablity.

Heck, even a cave man knew the answer to THIS question ...

[awap]

Originally Posted by reservecops

The purpose of (preemptive) preventative maintenace of ANY product is for a knowledgable and experienced technician to locate any potential problems BEFORE they occur, such as seeing the condition of a part of the assembly deteriorating much more quickly than is typically expected, or to notice a part that was perhaps damaged by mishandling, unbeknownst to the owner of the product.

Then again, if you want to wait for your oil light to start flashing and the smoke to start billowing out of your exhaust BEFORE having your oil changed, that's your decision.

I already did, three posts above. Perhaps if you had read the entire thread before treating us to your wit and wisdom, you would have noticed ...

That would largely depend upon the knowledge, skill level, and actions of the technician who performed the servicing.

If a qualified tech did the work, I'd say 'increased' reliability.

If some moron did the work, I'd say 'decreased' reliablity.

Heck, even a cave man knew the answer to THIS question ...

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<DIV>You mean the massive freeflow and you can't find your buddy story?? A massive FF does not occur due to lack of service without some and probably a lot of other warning signs (like small leaks). It isa scenario like blowing an engine just as you accelerate from a stop sign into a busy intersection. You do seem to understand cars better than regulators. So, you got any more interesting scenarios or was that the best you had? I'm still trying to understand this catastrophe that may be prevented by an annual service. They are there - think a bit more about the idea of a part that was damagedby mishandling ... by WHOM???</DIV>
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<DIV>There is no doubt that soft parts will eventually wear out if you just let them go long enough. The expected failure mode will normally be small leaks and/or reduced performance and will continue to get worse if not corrected. And that type of degradation will take years in a well cared for regulator unless some type of defect is involved. I have seen o-rings that looked more like a piece of plastic than a rubber compound and they were still sealing!</DIV>
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<DIV>Periodic service will prevent some future problems at the risk of creating other problems thru service errors. The problemsit prevents are going to occur eventually if you don't do the service but tend to be relatively minor in nature. They can detract from a dive trip and may even cause you to misssome dives or force you to find another regulator. The problems that can be caused by service are,thankfully, unlikely but may occur even with the best of techs. Defective replacement parts are not unheard of. And in the worst cases, service errors inviolving under or over torqueing do creat emergency situations that can be dangerous. </DIV>
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<DIV>Ever wonder why Atomic and Aqualung (Apeks) have a 2-year service interval (inspection only in the off years) while most others are still recommending 1-year? Do you think they have found the secret o-ring or seat material that the others don't know about? Do you think their designs aredifferentand that allows the extended service interval? </DIV>
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<DIV>If you have a good tech and annual service make you comfortable, then knock yourself out. The dive shop can surely use the income. But give other divers a break and drop the chicken little justifications (you are going to die) and recognise that theprinciple fact justifying annual service is it is the mfgrs recommendation.</DIV>
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[reservecops]

Originally Posted by ReefHound

The only words I'm putting in your mouth are your own. You said "if your engine blows up because you waited too long to change the oil, you're not going to drown and die". It's obvious that car engine problems have nothing to do with drowning, so what were you implying would cause you to "drown and die" if not a regulator failure?This was a baseless scare tactic to make the uneducated reader fear that not getting his reg serviced annually would be increasing his risk of dying.

Go back and read. You said that I said the reg would "fail CLOSED", and I didn't say that. Get it straight, will ya? Thanks.

I asked you to demonstrate this with references or stats, and you were not (and likely will not be) able to do so.

For the second time, go back and read the post THREE ABOVE your initial response to me. I *DID* demonstrate how a reg failure (OPEN!) could cause a death. For whatever reason, you've chosen to IGNORE what I said for the SECOND time. Sorry, but I can't help it if you refuse to acknowledge it.

Note that nobody here is suggesting that one never get their regs serviced or that regs can go forever without service. The issue is whether it is necessary to stick to a rigid and arbitrary time period. There is nothing magical about 1 year. I just happen to believe in the adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". If it's broke, hell yeah you better fix it. Ignoring small problems until they blow up into big problems is foolish and risky. You might have missed my post where I pointed out that regular inspection is advised. In fact, I have a reg set at Scubatoys as we speak getting serviced. I noticed the second stages were breathing easier and occasional bubbles leaking so I checked the IP and got 175 where it should be 150. Maybe a worn HP seat, I don't really know, but it's beyond my current limits and I'm not gonna ignore a warning sign so off it went. I am NOT anti-service and strongly FOR frequent inspection, I just believe in service based on condition over time interval. For the diver who can do nothing for himself, not even look at a hose for small cracks, then yeah they should get it serviced annually.

And, as I've said OVER and OVER and OVER in this very thread: every diver can choose to have his/her gear serviced as little or as often as s/he wants, but I'll choose to FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SERVICE PLAN.

[cyclical]

Interesting read from both sides of the discussion. Anyone have any stories of personal experience (something that has happened to them?)

[ScubaToys Larry]

See... This is why I wanted to start a board. So divers could come together - be friends and communicate!

[ScubaToys Larry]

Ok... from this point the constructive nature of the thread kinda' fell apart... so we are going to call this one done... Ok?