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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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