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To: techdiver@opal.com
Subject: Re: Where to get service info, tools, parts
From: TIM OLSON - UNDERWATER VENTURES <WOLFMK@CN*.UW*.ED*>
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 1994 22:29:31 -0600 (CST)
On July 11, TIm Bengtson Writes:
 (concerning self -repair of regulators)

>This brings up a point that has been a concern of mine for some time, and
>that is, just where does one go to get information on how to service
>regulators?  No doubt many experienced divers have grown tired of being
>treated like children by their local dive shops (and I'm certainly not
>suggesting that Tim is doing that here), where we would be perfectly
>willing to make the investment in training, tools, documentation, etc. just
>so, if nothing else, we could repair our own equipment at remote locations.

>It's a shame that, in the US at least, difficult liability problems make
>dive equipment manufacturers and retailers so hesitant to help divers to be
>a little bit more self-reliant.

I agree that all TECHDIVERS should definately know something about doing a full
teardown on a regulator.  I am sure (being a dealer myself) that most shops
would shy away from letting anyone in on the info. because of liability, but I
try to take a different approach.  As I said before recently, one thing I do is
to call in a manufacturers rep to the store, and he'll give a small but
hardcore group of divers the whole short course in Manufacturers repair, so
they could actually perform warranty repair on their own regs (with a manual)
or others, IN THE STORE.  Of course, you violate their warranty if you don't
follow the rules, but sometimes, these people are allowed to buy their own
repair tools, and if I know this person, I have no problem with them using the
manual.  This may seem like a long way to learn, but it is the best option for
most people.

Another thing I try to offer the interested people is the opportunity to tear
down their own regulator.  If they come in while I'm around, I'll sit with them
and help them do a teardown and cleaning, expalining the inner workings, and
let them get hands on.  Of course, most people again I wouldn't turn out into
the field to do their own major repair, but they would know enough to at least
diagnose any problem, if they have a proper air gauge.  There are those people
that dive A LOT with my group that I even equip. with some critical o-rings and
h.p. seats so that if a regulator in the field has a problem, they can fix
it...but, as you can guess, these are also the people who do the repair class
with the rep, and spend enough time around the shop so they can do some
cleaning/repair of rental stuff while I watch.  SOOOOOO, to keep a long story
long, there is really no easy way for a person not in the industry to get at
the info, tools, and parts, but if I were you, get on real good terms with the
local shop, and maybe he'll be nice to you.

P.S.  If you're ever up in Wisconsin, stop in and we'll do a teardown and
cleaning...a North Country dive shop isn't very busy during the early part of
the day!

Tim Olson
Underwater Ventures

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