Equipment Service

Divers certified through Aquatic Ventures receive a discount on these prices.

Life Support Equipment Service

Before bringing any equipment to us for service, make sure you read and understand the following:

Regulator/BC Inspection: This generally applies to equipment purchased or serviced within the past twelve months. In some instances, a manufacturer will allow this in lieu of a complete overhaul every other year. An inspection includes:

• Visual inspection of all external components
• Bench testing of all settings
• Minor adjustments if required
• Replacement of high-pressure O-rings
• Silicone spraying all hoses

Bear in mind that if you cannot provide proof of purchase or authorized service within the past twelve months the manufacturer will most likely require we do a complete overhaul.

Regulator Overhaul: Because it takes no more time or effort to completely overhaul a regulator system than it does to fix an isolated problem, this is the service manufacturers require whenever:

• The elapsed time since purchase or last professional service exceeds the manufacturer-specified period (generally one year).

• The regulator has received an above-average among of use or has been used in dirty environments.

• There are obvious signs of damage or wear, the regulator is performing poorly or it’s apparent the regulator was not properly cleaned following dives.

• The owner specifically requests it.

An overhaul consists of:

• Complete disassembly of all regulator system components

• Thorough cleaning of all system components (metal components get an ultrasonic bath in a special solution)

• Inspection of all components for damage or wear

• Replacement of all components showing damage or wear as well as all high- and low-pressure seats and internal O-rings

• Lubrication of all internal components including high-pressure hose O-rings and spools

• Reassembly and adjustment of all components in accordance with manufacturer specifications

The net result of an overhaul is that you will get back a regulator system that, while it may not look new, will perform exactly how it did when it was new. It is literally like getting a brand-new regulator every year.

BC Service: BC service consists primarily of inspecting for signs of wear or damage and fixing or replacing components as needed. We do, however, perform the same sort of disassembling, cleaning and replacement of parts on the inflator mechanism s we do when overhauling a regulator.

Before bringing in a BC for service, it’s a good idea to fully inflate it then leaving it sitting overnight. If the BC fails to hold air, let us know.

Dive Computer Service: Most modern dive computers have user-replaceable batteries. Still, some divers feel more comfortable having us do this for them, which we are happy to do.

Additionally, when we get a regulator system in for service that includes a computer console, we will test the battery for life. If it has less than one-third of its usable life remaining, we will replace it.

If a computer requires anything beyond a simple battery replacement, we will generally send it to the manufacturer for service.

Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection: Scuba cylinders must be visually inspected (VIP’ed) at least once every five years. This includes not only examining the cylinder for signs of corrosion or damage but also checking for cracks in the neck threads and other hard-to-see places.

Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection: If a steel cylinder shows significant signs of rust, it may need to be “tumbled” to remove the rust. As this can reduce the thickness of the cylinder walls, it may further need to be hydro-tested before being returned to service.

If a cylinder passes its visual inspection, we affix a decal showing when this was done and by whom. Dive centers will look for a current “VIP” decal before filling any cylinder.

Scuba Cylinder Hydrostatic Testing: Scuba cylinders must be hydrostatically tested at least once every five years. This involves filling the cylinder with water, then placing it in a water-filled pressure chamber. Here the cylinder is pressurized to a point well beyond its normal working pressure. At this point, we measure the amount of flex in the cylinder walls to ensure it falls well with acceptable tolerances.

Before a cylinder can be “hydroed,” it must first pass a visual inspection. (It’s foolish to spend money hydroing a cylinder that cannot pass a visual.) If the cylinder passes both the VIP and hydro tests, we affix a current VIP decal and stamp the month and year of the hydro test into the tank neck.

Just as with VIPs, dive centers will look for a current hydro stamp before filling any cylinder.

Oxygen Cleaning: Any piece of dive equipment that will be exposed to oxygen concentrations in excess of 40 percent must first be oxygen cleaned. This involves removing any contaminants that could lead to fire or explosion. Items that typically require O2 cleaning include:

• Nitrox cylinders filled via partial-pressure blending

• Regulators used on decompression cylinders containing high concentrations of oxygen

To maintain their oxygen-clean status, cylinders can only be filled with oxygen-compatible air or mixtures made from oxygen-compatible air.

Turnaround times

These times assume we have the necessary parts in stock. If we must special order parts, that will take longer. Periods of peak demand may affect turnaround times, so don’t wait until the last minute to get your gear serviced.

Same-day

• Visual cylinder inspection

One-day

• Regulator systems
• Alternate-air-source inflators
• BCs

Three-day

• Cylinder hydrostatic text
• Cylinder O2 cleaning

Warranty Work

Many manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on regulator parts provided:

• You are the original owner.

• You purchased the item from an authorized dealer.

• You can provide both proof of purchase and proof that the regulator has been serviced in accordance with manufacturer specifications (generally once a year).

If you purchased your regulator system from us or have had us service it in the past, we will have these records on file. Otherwise, you will need to provide them.

Be aware your warranty covers only the cost of parts. Labor is extra.

What do you need to do when bringing items to us for service?

• Remove any accessories from the item being serviced such as knives, safety tubes, weights, regulator clips, etc. Aquatic Ventures is not responsible for any item not removed.

• Describe any problems you are having (i.e., regulator free-flowing, torn mouthpiece, leaking hose, etc.).

If we run into any unforeseen problems like dry-rotted hoses, cracked regulator bodies, etc., we will contact you.

Questions?

‘Best to ask before you stop by. Call us at (954) 792-4977.