Good advice on regulators Lawrence, but a couple
of comments...
LC>4. When dismounting your regulator from the tank
LC>after a dive, blow the sealing surface of the air
LC>inlet cap completely dry with an blast of air
LC>before attaching it to the regulator.  Residual
LC>water in the dust cap is a major source of moisture
LC>contamination in a regulator.
I've got mixed reactions on this piece of advice for
two reasons.  First, "cracking open" a tank valve without
having a regulator attached is one of the primary causes
of Divemaster heart failure on a commercial dive boat.  It
also has a bad tendancy to dislodge the tank valve O-ring.
Secondly, the blast of forced air from a tank should *ONLY*
be used to dry off the dust cap and *NEVER* used to dry off
the regulator itself.  The high-pressure air can actually
force the salt crystals and other "nasties" down into the
regulator assembly.
LC>Moisture and salt are the mortal enemies of the internal parts
LC>of your regulator, some of which are so small they are difficult
LC>to handle without tweezers or a hemostat.  Anything you can do
LC>to keep water from entering the regulator will help it live a
LC>long reliable life.
Absolutely true!  If at all possible, let your regulators soak
in a bathtub or laundry tub full of clear, warm water when you
get home from a dive trip.  If you're feeling especially good,
you might want to change the water after 12 hours and let them
soak some more.
             OOo O                     Steve Elliot
             O oO                 FidoNet Scuba Moderator
              o                   [\] Diver Down BBS [\]
       _____ o o                    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
      (_/-\_)..                        954-436-3937
     ===(O).                        selliot@attmail.com
--- Babes on the beach
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