Tech Tip #2

90% of service on BCD's or wings is the power inflator--the one piece of equipment that's often ignored until it's too late. Living in a constantly wet environment, the plating on most power inflators is doomed to failure. Once the lubricant is washed out, the plating is compromised leading to corrosion. The corrosion along with injected sand can lead to a sticking inflator.

The Remedy: Rinsing the bladder of the BCD and running fresh water through the inflator can avoid problems. A D.S.S. Inflator valve flusher will clean both the inflator and BCD.

Don't want to care for that power inflator? Buy a design that allows for a new core to be inserted and change it once a year!

Tech Tip #1

If you dive more than once a month, you should own one and know how to use it. A failing 1st stage can ruin your whole dive day! Often mis-diagnosed as a leaky 2nd stage, a high or creeping IP will first show up in an unbalanced part of your system. High IP's are especially problematic for drysuit inflators.

How to check your IP: Connect an IP gauge to your low pressure inflator hose, turn on the air, and cycle the 1st stage several times. Watch for it to lock-up. Give it a chance to settle in, but be careful you don't break your gauge by allowing too high a pressure! We recommend Dive Rite IP gauges - they are simple to use, durable, and reasonably priced.